Wheel/Rail Loads Test, Hopper Car Ride Data

摘要

The wheel/rail loads test program was carried out at the Transportation Test Center near Pueblo, Colorado in June 1979, primarily to determine wheel/rail loads for a variety of car and operating configurations. As part of this proram, ride quality data were obtained for two 100-ton hopper cars. These data are reported and, where possible, compared with similar data obtained in 1977. During the time between the 1977 and 1979 tests, one of the cars had operated extensively in the Facility for Accelerated Service Testing (FAST) consist, and had accumulated 181,000 miles, while the other remained as a low-mileage vehicle. The objectives of the test were to determine any changes in the ride quality of the high-mileage car and to quantify the effects of various FAST track sections on the vehicle ride performance. The results show that there was little change in the suspension performance of the high mileage car. Accelerometers mounted on the roller bearing adaptors of both cars produced lower acceleration levels on the test sections that contained concrete ties than on other FAST sections with wood ties.