Mike Roney Past Chairman – International Heavy Haul Association Excellence in Heavy Haul Railroading: Highlights and Lessons Learned from IHHA2011 October 17, 2011

2 Outcomes  604 delegates  110 papers presented and in Proceedings  52 posters  2-day Track Workshop on Heavy Haul Best Practice book  42 exhibitors  27 countries represented  Post conference technical tours and steam train excursion  Profitable for RAC and sponsoring railways  “Most successful IHHA STS ever staged”

3 Emergent Themes  Service Reliability  Running On Time  Running Longer and Heavier  Technologies that Build Capacity  Cold Weather Operation  Conserving Fuel

4 Service Reliability  Modernize and standardize motive power  Network wayside detectors  Do frequent track measurements with overlays and predictive processing of infrastructure health data and wheel/rail “hot spots”.  Use micro-alloyed wheels and rails  Apply preventive rail grinding to conformal wheel/rail profiles  Run at 10% underbalanced superelevation  Maintain rail friction at < 0.4  Adopt phased-array or guided UT of rails, wheels, trucks and draft gear  Adopt post-weld rail heat treatment, improved weld collars and shearing.  Implement long term solutions to problem subgrade/embankments/rockfalls

5 Running On Time  Apply hot and cold wheel detectors to eliminate intermediate #1 brake test  Implement automated brake shoe measurement and management systems  Adopt ECP braking  Implement driver advisory systems with intermediate timing points  Do not run train densities exceeding 80% of line capacity, or 70% in extreme weather.  Run at 10% underbalanced superelevation

6 Running Longer, Heavier Trains  Implement multiple–location distributed power  Phase in ECP braking  Implement train marshalling software  Adopt high strength couplers or new designs  Use matched set cars coupled with slackless drawbars to pack in car length  Address optimal weight to tare ratio ahead of axle load increase.  Address rail weld quality, bridges and weak embankment locations before increasing axle loads.

7 Technologies that Build Capacity  Build towards ECP/PTC standalone  Adopt new truck-mounted braking systems  Combine trains as “rakes”  Adopt LEAN principles in planning train starts and in yard operations.  Power different trains to similar HP/ton to improve homogeneity  Adopt lower maintenance track components, such as “lift frogs” and premium turnouts.  Install abrasion-resistant concrete ties  Run at 10% underbalanced superelevation  Design new captive services for 40 t axle loads  Use rail lubrication/friction modification optimally.

8 Operating in Extreme Cold  Use harder, stronger wheels  Specify higher K 1C for new rail installations  Improve braking system diagnostics  Adopt risk-based speed reductions, considering WILD readings, temperature and rail risk profile  Avoid closed sections where water can be trapped.  Reduce rolling stock shape complexity to reduce ice-buildup  Ensure all operating levers have clearance for working with thick gloves.  Manage rail neutral temperature

Conserving Fuel  Adopt driver advisory with dynamic display of optimal speeds, and time to next stop.  Adopt orthodrome sheathing of cars  Implement aerodynamic rules engine in intermodal loading software  Maintain rail friction at < 0.4 9

10 See you at ………..