Friction management in the railway industry is a well-establishedtechnology with the aim of optimizing the friction between wheeland rail. Determining the friction coefficient (Q) at the wheel-railinterface is therefore important especially for heavy haul lineswith higher axel loads. This paper presents an initial study of thetop-of-rail friction condition of a 30 ton axel load, Iron Ore line inthe northern part of Sweden. The friction coefficient between therail and a metal wheel of a portable Tribometer was measured atdifferent geographical locations and during differentenvironmental conditions. The effects of precipitation are studiedand compared with the effects of top of rail friction modifiers. Themeasurements of not lubricated line sections showed valuesaround Q 0.6 compared to Q 0.3 for areas with e.g. top-of- raillubrication. During snowy conditions a decrease in friction couldalso be detected.
Godkänd; 2014; 20140619 (andbra)