Hopper vs. Tank Car Truck Loads

摘要

This report describes the results of tests conducted at the Transportation Test Center (TTC) in Pueblo, Colorado to ascertain differences between the ride characteristics of a hopper car with D-5 and D-3 springs and those of a tank car with D-3 springs. Testing involved operating speeds of 10 to 60 mi/h on the Facility for Accelerated Service Testing (FAST) track and specially shimmed (perturbed) sections of the Railroad Test Track (RTT). Data thus obtained are presented in the format of curves and force tabulations to facilitate further analyses. In addition, data obtained from the FAST measurements of truck forces are shown compared with data from measurements taken during operation on U.S. Western and Midwestern revenue service tracks, thus permitting an assessment of how well the FAST results compare with results obtained under actual revenue conditions.