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A microcomputer based simulation has been developed for predicting the safety related dynamic performance of rail cars. The simulation has been implemented specifically for a two-axle rail vehicle. Model data for test scenarios prescribed by the Association of American Railroads' (AAR) Chapter XI...
The United States Air Force (USAF/BMO) requested support from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to assist in technical issues related to the development of the Peacekeeper Rail Garrison Program. During operation of the Rail Garrison train, the consist will stop at various locations to...
This report presents the results of a two phase testing program to measure the strains in the roller separators (cages) of a bearing during impact loading. The impact loading is similar to the impacts encountered during in-service operations with flat spots on the wheels. The first phase of the...
Impact tests were conducted at the Transportation Test Center on two glazing systems installed in railroad locomotives, passenger cars, and cabooses. A 1/4" thick extruded polycarbonate plastic and a 1/4" thick cast acrylic plastic, each installed in combinations with a 1/4" thick sheet of tempered...
This report summaries an extensive research program into the causes of wheel thermal failure. Results of material property tests, review of failure data, dynamometer tests, roll dynamics unit, track tests, and theoretical and experimental stress analysis show that heat-treated wheels of designs...
Methods for detecting and quantifying the levels of inductive electromagnetic interference produced by solid state rapid transit propulsion equipment and for determining the susceptibility of signaling systems to these emissions are presented. These methods include procedures for taking...
This report presents the results of research conducted to determine the impact of destination and origin railroad contracts on grain bids to elevators and farmers. The impact of destination contracts on grain bid prices to elevators was estimated by comparing bid prices for rail delivered grain at...
As part of the co-operative Track-Train Dynamics High Performance, High Cube Covered Hopper Program, Transit America provided a prototype car - the HI CUBE 2000 for dynamic performance tests under the program's performance guidelines. This new design car was tested to evaluate its dynamic...
This report presents a summary of the dynamic performance tests of a 4750 cubic foot capacity high cube covered hopper car. All the tests were conducted at the Transportation Test Center in Pueblo, Colorado. Results of the reduction and analysis of test data for the rock-and-roll, pitch-and-...
Motivated by the occurrence of a long-running rail web fracture in service, dynamic fracture mechanics research was undertaken to (1) quantify the crack driving force due to the residual stresses induced by roller straightening operations, (2) determine dynamic fracture toughness values for rail...