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Railroads

Impact of Shoulder Cleaning on Ballast Drainage

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) jointly supported Transportation Technology Center, Inc., (TTCI) to investigate the influence of shoulder ballast cleaning (SBC) on the performance of fine-filled ballast. Repeated vehicle loadings degrade...

Technologies and Testing to Prevent Water Ingress in Railroad Bearings

Bearing degradation and defects can result in a bearing being removed from service before the end of its normal service life or possible bearing failure, causing service disruption or even derailment. Water damage is the leading cause of premature bearing failure; therefore, preventing this...

Evaluation of Longitudinal Wing Slopes for No. 20 Frogs

In a collaboration between the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Association of American Railroads (AAR), Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) investigated the benefits of modified No. 20 frogs on mitigating damage to the frog point, heel, and wing rails under heavy-haul...

Part 225 Submittal Methods

What’s happening and why? 

FRA is in the process of working through the changes to Part 225 that will update the accident/incident data submission options available to railroads. These updates are needed to bring the reporting requirements up to date and aligned to industry standards.