Railway Track & Structures - February 2009 - (Page 32)

Rail lubrication proving potential and cost of lubricant used per car is very low with the use of precision micro jet technology. This makes it economical to operate. It also reduces environmental contamination and clean-up costs. Its installation requires little track time because it is quick and easy to install and it requires little maintenance. The lubricant tank only needs to be filled once in a month or longer. It continues to operate at temperatures well below zero degrees and above 165 degrees F. Vennie Dyavanapalli, general manager, said, “It reduces the lateral forces exerted on the rail and reduces the rail wheel wear significantly. This helps in reducing the cost of m/w because of less damage to the spikes, tie plates, ties, gauge and track alignment. This also reduces derailment or rail rollover tendencies. Unlike the conventional grease lubricators, it reduces the low rail flattening wear and corrugation. We measured 10 to 20 db reduction in rail wheel noise. CurvGlide can be programmed to apply different rates of lubrication in opposite directions, which is useful for lubricating rails on long grades or entry of a curve. It is also programmed for skipping application of lubricant to locomotive wheels, which helps to maintain locomotive traction for heavy trains and up hill grades. CurvGlide is available in either AC or solar/DC versions. The solar version is designed for high energy efficiency and requires only a small solar panel. CurvGlide is currently used by several Class 1, regional and industrial railroads.” Miller pointed out that, “The performance of CurvGlide is possible because of the unique lubricant/friction modifier, Top of Rail Curve Lubricant (TORCL), developed and sold by Tranergy. It is a special clear fluid that is suitable for both top-of-rail and gauge face lubrication, depending on film thickness applied. It does not get washed out by rain. It is environmentally clean and flows well under a wide range of temperatures (-30 deg F to 165 F). It comes in three grades, used in different latitudes and climates.” Dyavanapalli made a point that Tranergy engineers work closely with the customers, analyze the sites and work out the best solution for each case using its full line of products. Dyavanapalli said that Tranergy’s YardGlide™ product continues to be a big hit. YardGlide™ improves the yard performance by reducing the number of cars stalled, reducing loss and damage by reducing the coupling speeds of cars in the yard, reducing m/w costs, reducing noise and eliminating the mess of the grease. Friction Management Services is a joint venture between Tranergy and Timken. “We see the potential for increased demand of on-board top-of-rail friction management programs in 2009 for both North America and abroad,” said Todd Maruna, president of Friction Management Services. “Our customers recognize the energy savings potential of proper friction management. “As part of our TracGlide® top-ofrail friction management system, Timken will be introducing a new data-logging feature to our on-board controller,” Maruna said. “The data-logging feature will allow customers to track system performance and use this information to maximize asset utilization.” Maruna continued: “We have our first Timken® TracGlide® system in operation in Poland. The order was received from Rail World Inc. and will be installed on a M62 locomotive, which is part of RWI’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Rail Polska. Operation will begin in 2009.” 32 Railway Track & Structures February 2009 www.rtands.com http://www.rtands.com

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Railway Track and Structures - February 2009 Contents On Track Industry Today Supplier News AREMA News NRC News TTCI R&D Railroads Stepping Up Use of Technology to Locate Rail Flaws Rail Lubrication Realizing Great Potential M/W Challenges: Track Settlement at Bridge Approaches Supplier Profiles Products and Literature People Calendar Advertisers Index Sales Representatives Website Directory Professional Directory Classified Advertising Chicago Perspective

Railway Track & Structures - February 2009

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