Tread braking of railway wheels – wheel and block temperatures and the influence of rail chill

Other conference contribution, 2005

Tread braking generates high temperatures in railway wheels and brake blocks as the kinetic energy of the train is transformed into heat. The temperatures induced in the components are here analysed with particular focus on the cooling influence from the rolling contact between the hot wheel and a cold rail. Results from controlled brake rig tests are reported, where the rolling contact is studied using a so-called rail-wheel in contact with the braked wheel, along with results from field tests. The results from these experimental studies are used for calibration of a simulation tool for calculation of wheel and block temperatures. The calibrated model analyses heat partitioning between block, wheel and rail and to find the resulting temperatures at braking. It is found that the rail chill has a considerable influence on the wheel temperatures for long brake cycles. A successful calibration of the model for the field tests is also reported.