Rail Condition Measurement Equipment
Rail Corrugation
Corrugation can affect the wheel-rail interface, vehicle-track interaction, and cause noise and vibration in both straight and curved tracks (especially in LRTs). Frequent monitoring can help catch corrugation in its early stages of development before damage to the track and rolling stock accelerates.
Rail, Switch and Frog Wear Measurement
Vertical and lateral rail wear as well as gauge face wear angle are critical track condition and safety parameters to monitor. Worn rails can contribute to the potential for wheel climb derailments.
Laser-based rail profile measurement trolleys provide fast and accurate measurements suitable for hundreds or thousands of kilometers of track at a time.
Contact-based measurement tools provide measurements in the range of microns, suitable for detailed investigations when the highest accuracy is required.
Learn about laser-based solutions for rail wear…
Learn about contact-based solutions for rail, switch and frog wear…
Rolling Contact Fatigue
Rolling contact fatigue (head checks, gauge corner cracks, shelling, squats) develops on rail surfaces due to repeated high contact stresses as rolling stock passes over the tracks. Over time, these micro‑cracks can evolve into more serious defects such as spalling or shelling and increase the potential for derailment. Frequent monitoring of rails for RCF can help spot defects early allowing for their removal through shallow grinding which minimizes maintenance costs and extends rail life.
Rail Friction
Rail surface friction and tribology describe how the rail and wheel interact through contact, wear, and lubrication. Managing friction is critical; too much increases wear at the interface while too little can result in wheel slip during acceleration as well as poor breaking performance. Effective friction management helps to optimize performance, reduce material degradation, and extend the life of both rails and wheels.
Rail Temperature
With climate change driving more frequent and intense temperature fluctuations, maintaining safe rail neutral temperature and tracking thermal stress has become increasingly important. Temperature swings in the summer lead to increased risk of track buckles while cold snaps in the winter increase chance of rail pull apart. Effective monitoring can help prevent costly and disruptive sudden failures.
