Wear and energy-saving freight bogie designs with rubber primary springs: principles and experiences

Abstract

The traditional radial steering bogie with swing hanger links is known to be track-friendly but heavy, and expensive in investment and maintenance costs. Whereas the actual bogies with longitudinal stiff axle guidance such as Y25 cause severe wear on wheels and rails in curves, and also develop high running resistance in curves. Bogies with rubbers springs like double rubber ring spring (DRRS), Leicht und LaermArm (LEILA) low weight and low noise, and Gigabox are a new feature with good behaviour in curves and on straight tracks. Good experience over many years with DRRS and 35 t axle load on the German Rheinisch Westfaelische Elektrizitaetswerke (RWE) coal line prove its benefits. For the new designs, LEILA and Gigabox, which are being introduced into the market now, even higher benefits can be demonstrated. The principle design features and the benefits regarding lateral track forces, wear, and traction resistance are evident. Also noise behaviour is an increasing demand for freight operation.