Helping Shortlines Meet the Challenges of HAL

Date
2001-11
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Railway Engineering Association
Abstract
As the American Class 1 railroads continue to move towards the new generation, 286,000-pound heavy axle load cars, the American shortline industry must now gear up to address this issue. While the current level of track and structures on shortlines is generally adequate for traditional 263,000-pound railroad cars with 33-ton axles, it is often marginal or even inadequate for the new generation 286,000-pound cars with 36-ton axle loads. Recent studies have shown that the approximately 10-percent increase in load associated with the 286,000-pound cars can translate into damage to the track structure that is as much as 20 percent higher than that caused by the "standard" 263,000-pound car1This is further exacerbated by the fact that track on shortlines is generally not of the same standard as that found on Class I mainlines with lighter rail sections, fewer crossties and smaller ballast sections. In fact, one recent study of the capital needs of the U.S. shortline industry2showed that there was a significant capital requirement for track upgrade needed by the approximately 550 shortline and regional railroads to allow them to operate the new generation heavy-axle-load equipment safely and cost effectively on an ongoing, long-term basis. This study showed that the approximately 50,000 miles of track operated by these shortline and regional railroads requires $6.86 billion to upgrade their tracks to allow for safe, effective and long- term operations under HAL equipment. Furthermore, this study indicated that for long-term operations 22 percent of rail must be replaced, 43 percent of track miles require some replacement ties and 23 percent of track miles require some ballast. Noting that the rail sections frequently found on shortline railroads are lighter rail sections, many with four-hole joint bars whose strength may not be adequate for carrying these heavier cars on an ongoing basis, it is not surprising that the largest single-cost category was found to be rail with a total projected capital cost of $3.75 billion. In order to help meet this heavy-axle-load challenge, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association embarked on a multi-faceted program to provide support and assistance to its members. This program included an aggressive campaign to obtain additional funds for its members to upgrade their track, including working with the FRA on its RRIF3 capital loan program and working with Congress on legislation that will provide capital grants to shortline railroads. It also included the development of tools that can be used by ASLRRA members to help them manage their current assets and more effectively deal with the new heavy-axle-load cars.
Description
Keywords
Shortline railroads, Axle load
Citation
Railway Track & Structures Magazine