The Influence of Brake Shoes on the Temperatures of Wheels in Railroad Service

Field tests were conducted to verify and gather additional information concerning interior wheel temperatures, hot spot temperatures on wheel treads, braking forces, and coefficients of friction during actual service type braking with different types of brake shoes. The tests were conducted with either constant brake shoe loads or constant braking horsepowers. The purpose of these test was to obtain a better understanding of the variations which occur in service to enable better simulation of wheel stress analysis computer programs, improve laboratory dynamometer simulation of service conditions, and determine possible causes of thermal cracking of wheels in service. The results of these field tests are compared to tests previously conducted in service and in the laboratory.