Detailed Course Outline
Rail Sciences offers the "Derailment Cause Finding and Prevention" Seminar in either a two-day or a three-day format.
The two-day seminar is a general review of various track, mechanical and operations topics, and then goes into specific details in each area. The instructor then integrates all of the discussed item with important site investigation techniques which Rail Sciences' calls "The Derailment Dozen".
The three-day format covers the same track, mechanical, operations and derailment investigation techniques but in more detail. The three-day format also covers Human Factor Causes in derailments, Train Simulation Modeling and includes a Derailment Investigation Simulation exercise.
A general outline of the topics covered in this class are provided below.
DAY 1
Introduction
Course Objectives and Goals
What is a Derailment?
Philosophy of Derailment Cause Finding, Derailments Myths and Misconceptions, Industry Statistics
Track and Engineering Issues
Basics of the Track Structure
Rail Identification
Rail Wear
Rollover Potential
Broken Rail Derailments
How to Identify Rail Failures
Fasteners (Spikes and Clips)
Crossties
Differential Plate Cutting
Ballast and Subgrade
Rail Anchors
Track Buckle Derailments
Curve Super-Elevation Issues
Effect of Over/Under Elevation
Switches and Turnouts
Split Switch and Frog Derailments
Rail Lubrication - Implication on Derailment Tendency
Track Crosslevel and Twist
FRA Track Safety Standards (Gage, Crosslevel, Elevation Horizontal Alignment, Recording and Plotting Measurements)
Mechanical Issues
Car and Casting Identification
The Three-Piece Truck
Side Frame Buttons
Purpose of Friction Dampers (Wedges) Wedge Rise
Harmonic Rock and Roll
Vertical Bounce
Truck Hunting
Curving Mechanics and the Warped Truck
Centerbowl/Centerplate Issues
Stiff Truck Derailments
New Car Syndrome
Doublestack Derailments
Frame Bracing Issues
Side Bearing Issues
Conventional Side Bearing Clearance
Purpose and Proper Measurement
Influence on Wheel Climb
Influence on Stiff Truck Derailments
Constant Contact Side Bearings
Purpose and Proper Measurement
Derailment Issues
Wheels
Thin/Vertical Flange
Wheel Tapes
Tread Wear
Wheel Profile Issues
Wheel Flange Angle
Hollow Worn Wheels
Back-to-Back Measurement
Bearings and Bearing Adapters
Roller Bearing Failure Derailments Mechanical
Inspection Form and Data
DAY 2
Track/Train Dynamic Issues
Tractive Effort
Dynamic Braking Effort
Excessive Draft Force - Stringlining Excessive Buff Force - Jackknifing, Rail Roll Over
Dynamic Train Action
Slack Action Derailments
Air Brake Issues
Emergencies and UDE's
Train Stopping Distance Parameters
Locomotive Independent Brake Issues
Train Make-Up and Car Placement
How to Read and Interpret Event Recorder Data
Derailment Mechanics
How Derailments Happen
How to Interpret the Pile-Up
The Derailment Predictor Model
Site Investigation Techniques
The Derailment Dozen Overview
12 Steps to a Successful Investigation
Safety at Site
Drug and Alcohol Testing
Train Documentation
Crew Interview
Photos/Videos
Metallurgical Specimen Handling
Event Recorder Data
Finding the POD
Using Rail Marks as an Investigative Tool
Finding First Wheel to Derail
Car/Mechanical Measurements
Track/Engineering Measurements
DAY 3
Human Factor Causes
Statistics and Typical Causes
A Systematic Approach to Human Factor Derailments
Team Approaches to Prevention of Human Factor Causes
Train Simulation Modeling
Types of Computer Models Available
Longitudinal In-Train Force Models
Vehicle Dynamic Models
Validation and Limitation of Models
Data Requirements of Models
Simulation Exercise
Explanation of Simulation Exercise
Breakout into Teams
Review of Evidence
Group Review of Simulation Results
