Rail gauge face wear is one of the main factors that determine the rail maintenance cost. In this study, several dynamic measurements have been carried out for three years at sharp curved tracks to investigate actual vehicle/track lateral and vertical interactions. The influence of gauge face wear on vehicle/track interaction was estimated for Shinkansen lines, and the effect of lubrication was evaluated for narrow lines. The measurement items were wheel load, lateral force, attack angle and lateral deflection. Rail profiles were also measured to discuss the amount of gauge face were and changes in the profile. From these measurements, it was found that wheel/rail interaction changes depending on the gauge face were and lubrication.

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