Train Make-Up Studies

Train make-up rules dictate the tonnage distribution in trains. The tonnage distribution, in turn, directly effects the in-train forces that are developed as the train moves over the road. Excessive in-train forces can lead to unsafe operations and derailments. Proper train make-up is critical for efficient railroad operation and safety.

With the rapidly changing intermodal and commodity markets, railroads are constantly adjusting their train make-up instructions. These changing instructions should be evaluated in order to ascertain how a train handles during steady-state pull, in undulating territory and during both service and emergency braking. RSI train make-up studies compare the in-train forces and car body accelerations for the various train make-up possibilities being evaluated.

Rail Sciences has performed computer simulated train make-up analyses for nearly all the major rail carriers in North America. These studies usually involve hundreds of simulations using several train consists, various train handling techniques and various draft gear systems. Many of the studies involved specific territories using actual track grades and curvature. Rail Sciences has also performed several intermodal train make-up studies evaluating the instructions for two connecting interchange carriers for consistency.