Performance assessment of wheel-rail interface Friction Management products on the HAROLD 2.0 full-scale bogie test rig

The University of Huddersfield’s Institute of Railway Research (IRR) is pleased to offer 1 fully funded PhD opportunity using the newly developed HAROLD 2.0 full-scale bogie test rig.

Effective control of friction between the wheel and rail on railways can yield various advantages, including improved safety, increased asset life and reduced environment impact (i.e. reduced fuel consumption, particulate emissions and noise emissions). To control friction, a variety of “Friction Management” solutions are utilised, including “Gauge Corner Lubrication” and “Top-of-Rail Friction Modifiers”. During development, the performance of Friction Management products is usually assessed on small-scale test rigs, most commonly, “Twin-Disc” test rigs.

To date, research into the scalability of results is typically performed using real vehicles on test tracks (a difficult to control/measure environment), or on a full-scale test rig, but at much lower speeds. The use of HAROLD 2.0 represents an opportunity to investigate the performance of Friction Management products using a full-scale bogie operated at realistic speeds in a controlled laboratory environment. This project will also utilise other IRR test rigs, such as our own “Twin-Disc” test rig.

HAROLD allows a full-scale bogie to be run on a 2m diameter roller representing the rail. The roller operates at up to 200kph, and the position of the bogie can be manipulated to simulate curving. A recent upgrade (HAROLD 2.0) now allows the bogie to apply traction and control creepage between the wheel and rail.

This project is sponsored by RS Clare. Their industrial lubricants division supply a wide range of products to the railway industry. They are actively working to introduce new technology for applications such as top of rail friction management and products for delivery using intelligent, onboard application systems.

Start Date: January 2025

Deadline: 18 October 2024