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Technical Reports

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Side Bearing Clearance Testing Research

An investigation of the effects of variations in side bearing clearance on the vehicle dynamics of loaded freight cars with relatively high centers of gravity was conducted. Data from the Vibration Test Unit (VTU) showed that increasing side bearing clearance significantly affected railcar roll...

Roller Bearing Failure Mechanisms Research

Mechanisms that cause roller bearing failure are not well understood and were the subject of a research program conducted by the Association of American Railroads (AAR), Transportation Test Center, Pueblo, Colorado. The program was funded by the Federal Railroad Administration under Task Order 45....

Handbook for Vent and Burn Method of Field Product Removal

The Federal Railroad Administration tasked the Association of American Railroads (AAR), Transportation Test Center Hazardous Materials Training Center (TTC) to research and develop safe, reliable operating procedures for the Vent and Bum method of field product removal, and to define when or if...

Fundamental Track Gage Widening Tests Using the Track Loading Vehicle

In early 1991, a series of fundamental track gage widening tests were conducted at the Transportation Test Center. Tests, using the Track Loading Vehicle (TLV), were performed to provide fundamental knowledge about the manner in which wheel drop derailments occur, to establish data about current...

Engineering Data on Selected North American Railroad Passenger Car Trucks

This report presents the results of an effort to compile truck and population data for the U.S. fleet of railroad passenger cars, and to describe the different passenger car truck designs and design features used in the United States. The report provides a detailed discussion of the functions of a...

Tank Car Manufacturing/Repair/Retest Facility Evaluation Form

An evaluation form has been developed to aid Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) inspectors in recording data when examining tank car manufacturing and repair facilities, when inspecting newly constructed cars, or when examining cars which have been repaired or retested. Instructions and...