Undetected worn locomotive and wagon tyres - a frequent cause of accidents, derailments and service delays - could soon be eliminated from the UK rail network.
Over the next two years, part of Network Rail’s Freight Safety Improvement Portfolio’s £22 million fund is to be spent on fitting 15,000 vehicles with electronic devices to detect defects.
The equipment will enable the condition of wheelsets to be monitored remotely, reducing the threat of rail damage by allowing defective units to be pulled out of service quickly for inspection and repairs.
The tags, which will be fitted to both sides of engines and wagons, will convey radio frequency messages to lineside readers at 22 locations.
The Freight Safety Improvement Portfolio is also looking at brake, wheel and door faults, as well as dangers caused by decoupling.
To read the full story, see RAIL 958.
Güntürk Üstün - 17/05/2022 15:29
This recent safety scheme which will fit more than 15 000 of Britain’s freight locomotives and wagons with technology that enables the condition of wheelsets to be monitored in real-time has been launched. The mentioned prime project will certainly be welcomed by freight operating companies and freight customers now that it will help them to accurately spot and identify defects to individual wheelsets at the earliest opportunity. Dr. Güntürk Üstün