Current and planned work
Updating the wheel tread damage guide
Reducing track damage without compromising passenger comfort
Preventing wheel flats on freight wagons
Detecting wagon defects using Wheel Impact Load Detector data
Improving our understanding of freight train braking in low-adhesion conditions
Understanding longitudinal compressive forces in freight trains
Research will bring the guide in line with modern rolling stock.
Since the publication of the previous wheel tread damage guide 12 years ago, fleets have evolved significantly. V/T SIC initiated and steered an update to the guide. This was carried out by RSSB in conjunction with the Institute of Railway Research at the University of Huddersfield. This project has already:
reviewed changes in wheel damage and wheelset management
quantified improvements in wheel life of these approaches
identified ‘new’ forms of wheel damage or those becoming more significant.
The project also includes a review of the data currently recorded by train operating companies and maintainers as part of routine maintenance. It will identify how this data could be more efficiently used to monitor the condition of wheelsets and support maintenance decisions.
We also incorporate learning on freight maintenance, drawing on the existing knowledge-transfer partnership between the University of Huddersfield and Rail Wagon Association.
The updated best practice guide for operators and maintainers will become available in the first half of 2025.
Keep up to date with the research project in the RSSB Research Catalogue (COF-UOH-82).
To register interest in attending the workshop where we will be presenting the results, contact Paul Gray, Professional Lead, Engineering, RSSB:
Paul.Gray@rssb.co.uk
A promotional video supporting this guidance will be launched at the workshop, highlighting changes and current best practice.
For queries about the research, contact Adam Bevan, Professor, Department of Engineering, University of Huddersfield:
A.J.Bevan@hud.ac.uk
‘This research is supported by the Wheelset Management Group (WMG) and a number of train operators. It builds upon previous work from over ten years ago, reflecting on changes we see today. […] The output will help us as end users, through experience and new learning, to identify damage earlier and take remedial action before problems significantly affect wheelset life.’
An innovative suspension component reduces wheel and track wear on curves.
Damage to the surface of the rail on curves makes a significant contribution to the overall cost of track maintenance. V/T SIC has guided and provided technical support to research to enhance the design of the trailing arm bush for the Mark 4 vehicle bogie. The new design significantly reduces primary yaw stiffness (PYS) while maintaining stability and ride quality up to 125 mph.
Reducing PYS decreases damage to rails and wheelsets, potentially saving over £40 million in whole-system costs over 20 years for an average GB fleet. Recent work produced designs for a prototype enhanced trailing arm bush (ETAB), delivering a 36% PYS reduction. The involvement of bushing manufacturer GMT allowed the build of a prototype for testing at both component and system levels. This project has also identified solutions with 70% PYS by reduction.
Although the project has focused on improving the performance of the Mark 4, the methodology and technology are applicable to a wider range of vehicles.
A follow-up project is now underway to test the performance of the ETAB prototype on a dynamic test rig. It will build the case for an in-service trial.
Keep up to date with the research project in the RSSB Research Catalogue (COF-G25-01).
See the slides from a presentation given at the 2024 V/T SIC seminar.
Contact Sharon Odetunde, Head of Partnerships, with any queries:
Sharon.Odetunde@rssb.co.uk
‘The reduction in Primary Yaw Stiffness achieved in the ETAB project represents a great potential in reducing track and wheel damage, leading to significant rolling stock maintenance savings.’
Wheel flats are a safety risk and have a heavy financial cost.
Wheel slide events happen when a train’s wheels slide along the rail instead of rotating. Prolonged wheel slides can lead to wheel flats, which are costly to repair and can cause damage to the rail. In more extreme cases, wheel flats can lead to derailment, resulting in larger costs and significant safety risk. In recent years, wheel flats were identified as a major contributory factor in a number of accidents involving freight trains.
The newly formed Freight Braking and Adhesion Research Group (FBARG) is a task and finish group. It was established to develop and progress a small programme of research into the effect of low adhesion on freight braking and the formation of wheel flats on freight vehicles. The projects will produce actionable insight that operators and maintainers can use to reduce their occurrence.
V/T SIC is contributing its wealth of expertise about the formation and management of wheel flats on passenger trains. Before FBARG is disbanded, ownership of next steps will be agreed with existing groups, including V/T SIC and its sub-groups.
Keep up to date with the project in the RSSB Research Catalogue (T1350).
For more information, contact Aaron Barrett, Head of Research Delivery, RSSB:
Aaron.Barrett@rssb.co.uk
Repurposing existing data to improve safety and cut costs.
Wheel Impact Load Detectors (WILD) are installed on Network Rail infrastructure. They measure wheel loads from passing traffic, primarily to detect wheel defects such as flats. However, the WILD data can also give information on vehicle or load imbalance.
Recent work has looked at using WILD data to monitor vehicle defects like wagon frame twist or defects in suspension systems. RSSB research, with its partner the Institute of Railway Research at the University of Huddersfield, found that WILD data can indeed identify anomalous vehicles. Data analysis does not identify specific defects, but it provides an estimate of the reduction in derailment resistance of an individual vehicle.
We produced a good practice guide, setting out a methodology for analysing WILD data. The guide is intended as a handbook for the analyst or maintenance engineer who is interested in identifying vehicle and suspension defects.
However, V/T SIC felt that a valuable tool has not been widely adopted, despite the potential safety and cost benefits. It asked RSSB to address barriers to implementation—most notably by automating data analytics and reporting.
Periodic reports are now being produced for some Entities in Charge of Maintenance (ECM) by the University of Huddersfield. These reports can be used by the freight industry to target inspection and interventions. In 2025/26, RSSB plans to integrate this reporting within its Data Insights programme to allow all ECMs to access this data via a portal.
Keep up to date with the project in the RSSB Research Catalogue (COF-UOH-78). You can also read the previous research (COF-UOH-62) on this topic.
If you would like to be involved in this project by receiving and offering feedback on WILD data reports, please get in touch.
Contact Aaron Barrett, Head of Research Delivery, RSSB:
‘This research offers a unique opportunity to use readily available data to better understand the dynamic performance of fleets to manage the risk of unidentified faults and failures. … This is a valuable project, and we are keen to play an active role in ensuring that this work is a success and help us all make the railways safer.’
Greater awareness of freight braking technology, practices, and processes will support mitigations.
The 2022 freight derailment at Petteril Bridge Junction in Carlisle damaged the track and disrupted services for 7 weeks. The RAIB report included the recommendation ‘to understand and manage the risks associated with the operation of freight trains in low-adhesion conditions’.
To establish a baseline understanding of freight braking to support future research, V/T SIC and FBARG supported a knowledge search carried out by Railway Braking Associates. The scope of the work included:
the types of locomotives and freight wagons running on the GB mainline
key features and parameters relevant to braking of that rolling stock
technical details of current locomotive and freight wagon brake systems
what monitoring is available for freight train braking and whether enhanced monitoring could bring new insights.
The knowledge search uncovered a lack of published documents covering contemporary freight train braking. The gaps include braking systems, operational practices, effects of train length and loading, and low adhesion effects. This contrasts with the far greater fundamental research and modelling capability for passenger trains.
In response, RSSB is carrying out research projects to improve our knowledge of freight braking. One project (T1351) will explore the interactions between influences such as freight braking characteristics, environmental conditions, and freight driver policies, as well as how these differ from braking behaviours in passenger trains.
A better understanding of how freight trains perform will support a more informed and targeted approach to low adhesion mitigations.
Keep up to date with the research project in the RSSB Research Catalogue (T1351).
The knowledge search (S386) will be available to download from the RSSB Research Catalogue when it is complete.
Contact Ben Altman, Senior Research Analyst, if you would like to join the steering group for the research or if you have any other queries:
Ben.Altman@rssb.co.uk
Research will quantify the derailment risk and make recommendations on future mitigation.
On 24 December 2021, a freight train derailed at London Gateway port. It caused significant damage to the track and disrupted rail access into and out of the port for 14 days. The accident has potential implications for safety and highlights the need for further work on the role of longitudinal compressive forces (LCF) in derailments.
V/T SIC initiated a new RSSB research project in response to recommendation 3 of London Gateway RAIB report (RAIB Report 14/2023).
This work will provide the industry with an understanding of LCF in freight trains and the associated derailment risk. Its scope includes:
examining how LCF and drawbar/couplers are managed in standards in the UK and internationally
reviewing simulation and modelling tools for LCF
reviewing historical LCF-related incidents.
It will quantify the risk and make recommendations on how it should be managed in the future.
Keep up to date with the project in the RSSB Research Catalogue (T1352).
