INVESTIGATORS PARTNER WITH RAILROADS TO EXTEND RAIL LIFE

摘要

Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI), began the second test in 2012 of intermediate strength (IS) rails at the Facility for Accelerated Service Testing (FAST), Pueblo, Colo. Six rail types from five manufacturers are being evaluated. After 360 million gross tons of traffic, the IS rails have shown a greater tendency to develop high rail gauge-corner shells than premium rails installed in the same curve. Mild, preventive grinding of the rails has not prevented the development of the shells. It may be that the amount of metal removed and the inability of TTCI's rail grinder to grind at angles greater than 45 degrees with respect to the top of the rail have reduced the effectiveness of grinding at preventing gauge-corner rail shells. All of the IS rails being tested are wearing less than the standard strength (SS) rail.