The Department of Transportations’ Federal Railroad Administration reports an average 1,475 train derailments per year. The memorable train derailment on February 3, 2023 in East Palestine, Ohio caused dozens of rail cars carrying hazardous materials to come off the tracks, releasing hydrogen chloride and phosgene. The derailment caused a required evacuation of residents and help from emergency response teams from three states.
It’s crucial to ensure that all components of a train’s braking system are functioning correctly and well-maintained to prevent any potential issues that could lead to accidents or derailments. Each set of brakes on a train rail car train is equipped with a brake cylinder, a dual air reservoir, a control valve, and brake shoes. Brake shoes are an essential component of a train’s braking system that creates friction to help trains slow down. If brake shoes fail, it can cause various problems such as reduced train braking efficiency, increased stopping distance, and increased wear and tear on other brake components.
Wabtec Corp. (subsidiary Railroad Friction Products Corp.) introduced the game-changing COBRA® TreadGuard® tread-conditioning brake shoe. This brake shoe was strategically designed to continuously condition the wheel tread in order to improve wheel/rail adhesion, prevent wheel imperfections from forming, and keep wheels from overheating.
These brake shoes require extensive testing to continuously validate the latest brake friction materials. A&D Technology’s iTest test automation system played a key role in ensuring the brake shoes will effectively extend the life of the train wheels and keep locomotive transportation as reliable and cost effective as possible.
