RSI has investigated over 1500 individual derailments for many domestic and international railroads. Over 400 investigations have been performed on site with simulations and consultations provided for the remainder.
● Lead Project Consultant to the Doublestack Dynamics Task Force (DDTF) which was designated to determine the cause(s) of 125 ton doublestack derailments. Rail Sciences directed and supervised a research budget over $300K during project consultation. DDTF developed viable solutions that were implemented and have since resulted in dramatic reductions in doublestack incidents.
● Participated on an independent team requested to analyze the cause of gage spreading derailments on the FAST loop at the Transportation Test Center in Pueblo, Colorado.
● Developed a complete Derailment Prevention Program for a Class I Railroad including setting up database system, collecting and analyzing data on a daily basis, performing derailment analysis, presenting over 20 derailment cause finding seminars, developing division quality teams and organizing and facilitating monthly management review meetings.
● Rail Sciences has trained personnel for the following railroads: UP, SPTC, BN, BNSF, CP, CN, CSX, MRL, BC Rail, FEC, Roberval & Saguenay, Quebec Cartier Mining (QCM), SNIM (Mauritania, Africa), BRC, HBT, EJE Ontario Northland, Indian Railways, FRA, NTSB, Transport Canada, IHB, Intercor (Colombia), Long Island Railway, Dequeen & Eastern, METRA, MTA, Illinois Central, Wisconsin Central, Genessee & Wyoming.
● Lead Consultant for several high profile derailments including:
Cantara Loop - SPTC
Cajon Pass Runaway - BNSF
Weyewauga WI,
Freeland, MI
Tennessee Pass Runaway, MRL
Batavia, NY - Amtrak
● Lead consultant to industry task force studying dynamic stability of single axle intermodal cars, including simulation modeling and testing of car in derailment regimes.
● Lead consultant to TTX in studying dynamic curving performance after derailments of drawbar-connected intermodal platform cars.
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Operational Analysis & Consulting
● Performed design, layout and capacity analysis for a proposed major intermodal terminal to be used by several Class I railroads.
● Performed capacity assessment and operational audit for a western mining railroad.
● Performed capacity assessment of entire coal producing region for eastern Class I railroad. Study included assessment of proposed line extensions and siding locations for alternate corridors.
● Analyzed rail capacity and operational issues for two different intermodal ports on both the west and east coasts.
● Performed design and capacity analysis for proposed staging yard for coal operation on Class I railroad.
● Performed line capacity and motive power assessment for 600-mile regional railroad in Midwest.
● Developed Meet-Pass Planning Optimization Software as subcontractor to major control system supplier of central office dispatching systems.
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●Performed capacity planning for TFM in Mexico during initial start-up phase.
●Performed Locomotive Fleet Analysis for TFM.
● Performed Locomotive Fleet Assessment for Alaska Railroad, which led to their purchase of AC Power.
● Performed capacity assessment for major region of a western railroad in conjunction with the UP merger study.
● Performed capacity/scheduling study in conjunction with NS - CSX acquisition of Conrail. Performed capacity assessment for FSA Railroad in Brazil investigating use of Locotrol for improving capacity.
● Performed assessment of Locotrol Operation on the capacity of large iron ore railroad in South America.
● Analyzed the impact on rail operations due to imposed municipal restrictions on train size. Presented results to municipal government resulting in easing of restrictions.
● Operating cost study for integral train concept in two long distance western corridors.
● Developed Meet-Pass Planning optimization software as subcontractor to major control system supplier.
● Developed train make-up restrictions for several Class I railroads including simulation of different types of intermodal equipment designs.
● Developed alternate helper placement strategy for western railroad.
● Performed Train Make-Up study for optimal placement of autorack cars.
● Performed Train Make-Up study for mixed train of roadrailer and conventional intermodal equipment.
● Performed Train Make-Up study for optimum placement of spent nuclear fuel cask cars within train.
● Performed Train Make-Up study for HAZMAT train in chemical corridor.
● Train Make-up study for intermodal placement on a canadian railroad.
● Integrated and rationalized train make-up instructions for run-through trains between Canadian and U.S. railroad.
● Evaluation of Train Make-Up Instructions for trains operating over selected portions of track in California.
● Performed helper placement study for large mid-western regional railroad.
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Fuel Consumption Studies
● Developed alternate train handling strategies for improved fuel consumption over a district of a Class I railroad.
● Locomotive performance assessment for different U.S. and foreign operations including fuel consumption, tonnage ratings, adhesion limits and running times.
Train Handling Studies
● Performed an assessment of line change due to highway relocation on the dynamic performance of different trains.
● Slack action analysis of different intermodal car coupling systems and combinations performed for car builder.
● Optimum train handling strategies for Locotrol (Distributed Power) operations on bulk commodity and intermodal trains for western railroad.
● Computer simulation study of slackless drawbar system for multi-platform intermodal cars.
● Assessment of in-train forces due to braking for new EOT design.
● Performed curve elevation assessment for major corridor of western railroad, which involved confirming that the type of train, the implemented speed limit and the actual operating train speed were compatible with the superelevation in track curves.
● Performed curve elevation assessment for heavy-haul railroad.
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Rail Grinding Projects
● Optimum rail grinding profiles for canadian railroad. Included the measurement of over 100 worn wheel profiles and computer simulation of lateral curve performance for different proposed rail profiles. Also, calculated contact stresses for different combinations of wheel-rail profiles.
● Assessment of economic impact of increasing axle loads from 263K to 286K for large mining railroad. Project included simulation of rail/wheel wear factors.
Vehicle Dynamics
● Suspension System design optimization for AMTRAK Material Handling Car including simulation of different spring and damper arrangements.
● Truck design optimization project for new intermodal railcar design. Simulation of critical spring, damper and centerplate and side bearing arrangements.
● Chapter XI simulation analysis for all curving and tangent track regimes for multi-platform intermodal car. Study included making recommended design changes to comply with Chapter XI requirements.
● Simulation of hydraulic damper performance in curving and high-speed stability for different car designs.
● Evaluated the dynamic vertical and lateral performance of 286K axle loads on selected portion of high-speed Amtrak corridor.
● Chapter XI simulation of all curving and tangent track regimes for articulated bulk commodity car design. Dynamic analysis of high-speed Express Car in pitch and bounce regimes.
● Chapter XI simulation of new coal car design.
● Evaluated the dynamic and safety performance of 125-ton doublestack cars on Northeast Corridor.
● Vertical Curving Performance for track design on new Alameda Corridor Project.
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Vehicle Inspections
Since 1988 we have provided inspection services for a variety of railroads and private fleet owners. The following is a list of some of our recent projects:
