Study of freight wagon speed control efficiency at sorting wagons from a marshalling hump under changing environmental conditions

Abstract

The present article tackles the specifics of the process of freight wagon speed control by means of sliding blocks at a marshalling hub where the sliding blocks are employed either to stop the wagon or to reduce its speed. The conducted study encompassed the scrutiny of the pertinent reference sources dealing with the characteristic features of sliding blocks. Moreover, theoretical studies elaborated in this area have been relied on. The factors influencing the efficiency of freight wagon braking performance have been determined and an impact of weather conditions on the braking process has been examined in the course of the present investigation. Furthermore, the factors leading to the reduced wagon braking efficiency. At “weak braking’’ the wagon collision may occur at a considerably higher speed than permissible with the wagons standing on the storage track or due to the sticking of rail friction-shoes, jumping of wagon wheelsets over the rail friction-shoe and wagon derailment are possible. On the basis of investigation performed, recommendations are given, enabling elimination of the causes of the above-mentioned cases.