Railway Track & Structures - February 2008 - (Page 29) ments and operating environments demanding that flexibility be a priority. Examples of this flexibility are the multiple data collection methods we will offer, as well as a customizable, Webbased user interface.” “The momentum behind top-of-rail friction control in the global railway industry is unmistakable,” said Kevin Oldknow, vice president, applications and operations, Kelsan Technologies Corp. “After several years of collaborative effort in executing carefullycontrolled, scientific, full-scale revenue-service test programs, as well as ongoing application in commercial rollouts, the results are definitely in. The KELTRACK family of thin-film friction modifier products provides economically justifiable benefits in reducing lateral forces and rail wear, preventing RCF formation and growth, suppressing corrugations, mitigating curve squeal and flanging noise, and reducing energy consumption. “With the information on potential cost savings, the global customer base and implementation of Kelsan’s friction modifier products are growing. As an example, the North American Class 1 railways are moving away from asking, ‘Does the technology work?’ towards large scale, territory-wide rollout of the technology based on rigorous economic justification. It has been shown that building a comprehensive business case around total friction management, including state-of-the-art gauge-face and top-of-rail friction control, can produce not only an attractive return on investment, but also a positive effect on the operating ratio. “As industry adoption of wheel/rail friction control accelerates, Kelsan Technologies and Portec Rail are gearing up to respond with the capability to provide total friction management services,” Oldknow said. “By leveraging the company’s overall strengths in application equipment, TOR and GF consumables, service/maintenance/management, as well as measurement and verification of friction control performance, including recent developments in remote performance monitoring, it becomes possible to offer a total friction management package. We are excited about the role that this approach will play in helping the railways to maintain effective, high-performance friction control and realize the substantial associated economic benefits.” Tranergy “U.S. railroads are increasing the use of Tranergy Corp. rail wheel lubrication systems and the associated wheel detector systems,” said Sid Kumar, chairman/president. “The expansion in the lubrication market in 2007 was with the small private railroads operating in industrial plants where the tightness of space requires very sharp curves and a large number of switches. Tranergy is continuing to provide the railroads an optimum combination of top-of-rail and gauge-corner lubrication with an environmentally-clean lubricant applied with one economical delivery system. “This approach means railroads can reduce wear of their rails and wheels, reduce derailment forces and track damage, reduce rail wheel noise, eliminate the grease mess, reduce significantly the cost of lubricant used and accomplish all this with the use of one machine,” he said. “Practicing the Tranergy motto, ‘Innovation through www.rtands.com Railway Track & Structures February 2008 29 http://www.rtands.com
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