Abstract
This paper discusses the dynamic behaviour of two designs of railway vehicle, taking into account the non-linear features of their suspensions and of the forces arising between rail and wheel. The parameters required for the theoretical analyses are obtained from measurements of the vehicles and from detailed studies of rail and tyre profiles. The vehicle behaviour is then predicted and these predictions are checked against running tests made on a special test track. The main features discussed are the lateral motion on plain track (hunting) and the response to an isolated vertical irregularity (a ‘dipped’ rail-joint). The effect of various parameters on this behaviour is described and some comments are made upon the problems of derailment.
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