1. On Average, 3 Truck Sets per Train Have Dragging Brake Sets. Eugene Matzan http://www.matzan.comematzan1@rochester.rr.com Phone 1 585 387 8921

2. These images are infrared images taken of a moving freight train. The image on the left is a normal car with the wheel bearings showing a slight buildup in temperature. The image on the right is a dragging brake causing the entire wheel to heat because of the additional friction. Eugene Matzan http://www.matzan.comematzan1@rochester.rr.com Phone 1 585 387 8921

3. The typical grease used in these railroad car wheel bearings is Lithium based grease. The recommended temperature range is 70°C over ambient temperature. The chart below shows the temperature range of a nominal Lithium based grease. Figure 1 shows the thermal range of a typical rolling element bearing used in Railcars. The green zone represents the sweet spot for bearing and lubrication temperature; operating in the yellow zone reduces lubricant and bearing life; and if your bearings are in the red zone, expect both the bearing and the lubricant to be destroyed rapidly. For every 15°C increase in temperature above 70°C, the lubricant life is more than halved and there is a negative effect on bearing life. Any mineral oil operating at a temperature above 80°C or 90°C will have a greatly diminished life. In no case should bearing temperature ever exceed the maximum rating of either the bearing or the lubricant.

5. Increased Track Wear

6. Damage Wheels

7. Damaged Wheel Bearings

8. Leading to Catastrophic Failure and Train DerailmentsEugene Matzan http://www.matzan.comematzan1@rochester.rr.com Phone 1 585 387 8921

9. Industry has used modern technology to detect bearing problems, there by reducing failure and downtime. In the Railroad Industry Failure can be Catastrophic, yet the Vibration Analysis and Ultrasound Detection Systems used in industry do not render themselves as an alternative without modification. Because trains are not stationary conventional methods of using probes or sensors are not practical. An effort was made by the Transportation Research Board of the National Research Council, (“Signal Transmissibility of Railcar Bearing Vibration” HSR-56 study) to insert sensors into the track and monitor wheels as they passed over. It met with only minimal results although the stationary lab tests proved quite successful. Because the rails are a very good conductor of ultrasonic frequencies background noise made detection difficult. The Solution is to Segment A Track Section So that Only One Wheel at a Time is in Contact with the Section.

10. An acoustically isolate track section is used to reduce and isolate noise and vibration interference from the rest of the train. This is accomplished by segmenting and inserting a 55” in length of rail and epoxy splicing the section at a fabrication facility in a controlled environment. This “glue” is approved for joints in rails and meets all FRA requirements. This arrangement is assembled in a Precast Concrete section Which Isolates and supports the track. Ultrasonic Sensors are mounted to the isolated section of track. WR 3 WR4 WR1 WR2 P1 Piezoelectric Sensor WL 3 WL4 WL1 WL2 P2 Piezoelectric Sensor

11. U.S. Cl. 246—169S [246/169 R] A system for automatic detection of defects in railroad wheels, a system that is stationary and is installed in extended intervals in the rails uses stationary acoustical/vibration sensors installed at intervals in the rails. Rail segments associated with the detectors are acoustically isolated. The sensors acquire the sounds and vibrations generated by the wheels rolling over the rails. Signal analyzers identify rail defects from intensity vs., frequency distributions of acoustical spectra. Such spectra reflect the condition of the wheels and change their intensity vs. frequency distributions when the wheels pass the sensors installed in the rails. The acquired information on the condition of the wheels is transmitted to a central location. Any defective wheel is identified and marked for repair or replacement.

13. Reduced Track wear

14. Reduced derailments associated with wheel failures

15. Reduced Maintenance on wheels

16. Scheduled repairs in the yard

17. Knowing the exact weight of each carRailroads for years had a simple solution to increased friction, add another engine, but in today’s emphasis on Fuel Economy, Safety, and Reliability it may be time to investigate this new alternative. Eugene Matzan http://www.matzan.comematzan1@rochester.rr.com Phone 1 585 387 8921