Methodology to Determine the Limits for Loading Distributions on an Individual Wagon and a Consist of Wagons

The distribution of load placements on wagons, i.e., the Centre of Gravity (CoG) of wagons, and the distribution of loads between wagons in the train configuration, i.e., train make-up, can significantly change the train operational dynamics and, in some circumstances, contribute to derailment of wagons and wheel/rail damage (wear and Rolling Contact Fatigue (RCF)). To reduce derailment risks and wheel/rail damage, the lateral, longitudinal and vertical limits for placing loads on wagons and constraints for the placing of empty or lightly loaded wagons in a consist of loaded wagons should be defined. From the on-going research on this area, a derailment risk and track damage assessment methodology has been developed based on train dynamics and vehicle system dynamics simulations for quick prediction of possible worst operational cases for the investigated train configurations that consider different positions of empty/lightly loaded wagons in a train consist and the CoG for full or partially loaded wagons. Based on all preliminary simulation case studies, the post-processed results show that the effect of vertical and lateral wagon loading CoG shifts to the derailment risk and wheel-rail wear indexes is more significant compared to the longitudinal wagon loading CoG shifts.