Lubrication in sharp curves has been commonly adopted so far to decrease the friction between a wheel flange and a rail gauge face for the purpose of reduction of wear and energy consumption. However, recently lubrication between the running surface of low rail and wheel tread has been recognized as significant for its effect on decreasing the possibility of low rail corrugations, wheel flange climb derailment and squealing noise. This paper describes the friction moderating system for the top of low rail and wheel tread which consists of solid lubricant called friction moderator and jetting device installed on a vehicle which supplies the friction moderator to wheel/rail interface.

Copyright (c) 2007 Railway Technical Research Institute