The report documents a study of the causes of wheel flange wear and derailment on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Orange and Blue Rapid Transit Lines. The study included both full-scale testing using instrumented wheels on the track in question and a computer model of wheel/rail curve performance. Both experimental and predicted data are presented. Parameters affecting wheel wear considered in the study include: longitudinal suspension stiffness, wheel profile, and track curvature. Two wheel profiles, 1:20 and 1:40 were used in the test track curvature of the four test curves, which varied from 1.3 to 9.3 degrees. The computer model included lower primary suspension stiffness and worn wheel profile. The study recommends that MBTA should consider changing its standard wheel profile from 1:40 to a worn wheel profile, such as AAR1. Additional benefits in curving performance could be obtained from a significant reduction in the longitudinal stiffness of the primary suspension chevron.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Causes of Wheel Flange Wear and Derailments on MBTA Orange and Blue Lines


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1989


    Size :

    188 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Flange climb derailments: causes and prevention

    Wu, Huimin / Wilson, Nichola | IuD Bahn | 2012


    Derailments and their causes

    Bishop, W.C. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1928


    Derailments and their causes

    Hogan, P.J. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1950


    Derailments and their causes

    Bishop, W.C. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1928


    Car derailments, causes and a remedy

    Perry, H.M. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1915