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Wheel Rail Forces Measured Under Severe Track Geometry Alignment Variations

This report describes a series of vehicle track interaction tests conducted from October 1984 to December 1984, under the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Improved Track Safety Research Program, at the Department of Transportation, Transportation Test Center (TTC) at Pueblo, Colorado. The test...

User's Manual: 2, 3, & 4 Axle Rigid Truck Curve Negotiation Model

[From the Introduction] The rigid truck curve negotiation model calculates the lateral wheel-rail forces associated with the negotiation of a section of curved track by a rigid framed locomotive truck for a variety of normal operating conditions. The model itself is of a quasi-static nature...

Office of Rail Safety Research

The third R&D office, which was created under the reorganization, is the Office of Rail Safety Research. Its mission is to plan, sponsor, and implement research and development programs designed to improve rail safety. Broadly speaking, the goals of the office are to reduce the number and...

Motive Power and Equipment Inspection Report

This report contains general information on reporting for: Freight Car Safety Standards; Safety Glazing Standards — Locomotives, Passenger Cars and Cabooses; Locomotive Safety Standards; Safety Appliances; and Power Brakes.

Phase II: Track Train Dynamics

The major objective of Phase II of Track/Train Dynamics was to perform research which would lead toward the development of performance specifications. This report reviews some of this research to promote a better understanding of how the various elements were to be incorporated into performance...

HAL Substructure Investigation Using Rapid, Non-Destructive Techniques

As part of a program to determine the nature of track substructure problems and to recommend the best remedial action, the Association of American Railroads has developed an on-track vehicle which houses a rapid, non-destructive subgrade test apparatus known as a cone penetrometer. Although still...

FAST Heavy Axle Load Program Safety Compendium

[From the Introduction] The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) have jointly funded research activity at the Facility for Accelerated Service Testing (FAST) to study the effects of increasing the nominal North American railroad axle load from 33-...