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Field Testing of a Wayside Wheel Crack Detection System

A prototype crack detection system for railroad wheels has been developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The system is designed to detect the presence of thermal cracks in railroad wheels as they pass by an inspection...

Effect of Worn Components on Brake Forces in a Freight Car Rigging

A braking test program was conducted to investigate the extent of and causes for significant variations in braking thermal input to railcar wheels. The program consisted of the following tasks: -Brake force data was reviewed from previous test programs and computer simulations of brake forces in...

The Aerodynamics of Vehicles in Finite Length Tubes

High speed vehicles may operate in tunnels or tubes to minimize impact on the surrounding environment. Operation in tunnels or tubes minimizes the impact of surface obstacles, high noise levels, weather constraints and street congestion in metropolitan areas. The performance of these vehicles is...

Dual-Mode Locomotive Systems Engineerings Volume I: Summary

This report, Volume I, provides a summary of the systems engineering study undertaken as Phase I of a proposed five-phase program. The intent of the overal I program is the development, in-service demonstration, and ultimate deployment of dual-mode locomotives. This study has confirmed the...