Design considerations for emulation of in-train forces in a laboratory rig

A laboratory rig has been designed and built to emulate field conditions for draft gears and also allow proof tests and accelerated fatigue tests. The design process has included expected forces for heavy haul train operations and made provision for hardware-in-the-loop investigations using train simulation software to provide inputs and test sequences. The rig has been made large enough to include a wagon stub sill and a coupler pair (or drawbar) so that all draft gear components (knuckle, coupler, yoke, draft gear and stub sill) can be evaluated simultaneously.