Friction management in the railway industry is a well-established technology with the aim of optimizing the friction between the wheel and rail. Determining the friction coefficient (μ) at the wheel-rail interface is therefore important especially for heavy haul lines with higher axle loads. This paper presents an initial study of the top-of-rail friction condition of a line with 30 ton axle load, the Iron Ore Line in the northern part of Sweden. The friction coefficient between the rail and the metal wheel of a portable tribometer was measured at different geographical locations and in different environmental conditions. The effects of precipitation are studied and compared with the effects of top-of-rail friction modifiers.The measurements of non-lubricated line sections showed values of μ≈0.6, compared to μ≈0.3 for areas with, for example, top-of- rail lubrication. In snowy conditions a decrease in friction could also be detected.Keywords: Friction management, Friction measurement, Friction modifier, Heavy haul railway line, Swedish Iron Ore Line.
Validerad; 2015; Nivå 1; 20150428 (yonlem)