From October 1983 to November 1984, a lubrication study funded by the Federal Railroad Administration was conducted by the Association of American Railroads at the Facility for Accelerated Service Testing (FAST) at the Transportation Test Center in Pueblo, Colorado. The study focused on lubricant distribution (the level, uniformity, and location of grease on the rail) and effectiveness (ability of the lubricant to reduce rail wear and decrease train resistance). A 'goop gauge' served to monitor distribution. Lubrication effectiveness was determined by measuring wheel-rail longitudinal force (instrumented wheelset) and rail head temperature rise (thermal sensors). The wayside systems had actuator linkage and adjustment problems. Some lubricator blade types and track locations performed better than others but all had position-in-curve differentials of effectiveness. The spray type locomotive flange lubricator performed best overall, but showed a possible need for supplementary lubrication in some curves. The boxcar lubricator did similarly well, but had further practical limitations. The hi-rail system was generally not satisfactory because the lubricant, sprayed directly on the rails, could not be distributed properly under all track conditions. 'Off-the-shelf' greases performed most effectively, particularly an open gear type. Overlubrication tests linked excess high rail lateral forces with the typical operation of some wayside lubricators.


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    Title :

    Overview: The FAST (Facility for Accelerated Service Testing) Lubrication Study


    Contributors:
    R. P. Reiff (author)

    Publication date :

    1986


    Size :

    23 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English





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