Rail Sciences - Testing, Instrumentation, Data Acquisition and Engineering Services

Rail Sciences Inc. (RSI) was founded in 1987 with the mission of providing the highest level of analytical consulting services to the rail industry. Our railroad experience encompasses:

• Engineering
• Operations research
• Track / train dynamics
• Operating practices
• Testing and instrumentation
• Data acquisition and analysis

Rail Sciences brings an objective viewpoint to every project. We strive to provide our clients with accurate analysis along with reported findings, conclusions, and (if requested) specific recommendations.

RAIL SCIENCES' TESTING CAPABILITIES

Physical testing should be an integral component of any railroad's research program. While beneficial in its own right, computer modeling can only take the analysis so far. This is particularly true when dealing with new designs

RSI has conducted many tests, from small scale, single data channel monitoring to large scale locomotive, rail car, and track side tests that require analysis of numerous data channels.

Some of the tests conducted by RSI include:

• Truck warp tests
• VERSE rail temperature measurement testing
• Instrumented drawbar tests
• Coupler angling tests
• Air hose tests
• Wayside lateral / vertical testing
• Over-the-road performance tests
• VAMPIRE© vehicle dynamics simulation

AUTOMATED TRUCK (BOGIE) PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

The Automated Truck Performance Measurement System (ATPMS) is designed to automate wheelset force acquisition, detection, and reporting. The primary uses of the ATPMS are:

• Derailment prevention
• Identification of cars with maintenance defects
• Creation of vehicle databases for long-term maintenance planning

The ATPMS can be utilized in several types of railcar operations

CAPTIVE FLEET OPERATIONS

In operations where the same cars will be seen many times, such as mine-to-port operations, the ATPMS can provide corporate management with valuable information on vehicle performance and necessary corrective actions on poorly curving and/or grossly overloaded cars.

UNIT TRAIN OPERATIONS

Placing the ATPMS in areas with a high percentage of unit trains, such as coal transportation corridors, allows fleet operators to monitor the loading and performance trends of trains.

INTERMODAL CORRIDORS

Past research has shown that 125t doublestack cars can produce high lateral gage spreading forces. Using the ATPMS to monitor doublestack corridors provides positive dividends for both the car owners and the rail operators.

MIXED FREIGHT OPERATION

Many railroads, particularly regional lines, operate corridors where a majority of the cars are relatively 'captive'. Finding the 'bad actor' cars reduces both derailment potential and track / vehicle maintenance costs.

PASSENGER / TRANSIT OPERATIONS

The operators of passenger and transit lines benefit from the ATPMS by knowing which vehicles are exhibiting poor curving performance and causing excessive noise and vibration.

MATERIALS ENGINEERING LABORATORY

In 2001 RSI assumed operation of the former Union Pacific Metallurgical and Physical Testing Laboratory and now offers testing and analysis services to the railroad industry from this location. This is a world class research and testing facility for the specialized analysis of railroad components. Our highly specialized engineering staff can provide an independent expert opinion on a variety of issues.