CURVING PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF FREIGHT CAR TRUCKS

A mathematical model of steady-state curve negotiation was used to simulate experimental curving tests of one conventional and six new concept railway freight car trucks. The report describes the model parameters used to characterize the trucks and test conditions. The experimental results from the Truck Design Optimization Project (TDOP) Phase II tests are compared to the model predictions of lateral wheel/rail forces and wheelset angles of attack. The model was also used to perform parameter sensitivity studies for each truck. The results from this work show that the model can predict trends in the steady-state curving of a number of freight car trucks for a range of operating conditions, and can be used to determine the influence of parameter variations on truck curving performance.