The Economics of Rail Grinding and Rail Surface Maintenance
Date
1986-10
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Railway Engineering Association
Abstract
This paper develops methodologies for the economic analysis of the benefits (and costs) of rail mainĀtenance techniques such as rail grinding, both conventional and profile grinding, and rail surface welding. As such, it examines the effect of rail surface conditions on component life, such as rail life, and applies the results to the economic analysis of representative railroad scenarios. The results of these analyses indicate that significant economic benefit is derived from proper maintenance of the rail surface condition, This appears to hold true in the case of rail surface fatigue on the l1igh rail of lubricated curves, and in the case of rail corrugations on the low rail of unlubricated curves. finally, it is shown in this analysis that frequent rail grinding, such as when the level of corrugations is relatively small, can reduce the overall cost of rail grinding.
Description
Keywords
Rail Maintenance, Rail fatigue
Citation
Zarembski, A. M., āThe Economics of Rail Grinding and Rail Surface Maintenanceā, Third International Heavy Haul Railway Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia, October 1986.