Abstract
A pilot project was conducted by the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway to verify some of the benefits of TracGlide, a Top of Rail Lubrication (TOR) system originally developed by Tranergy Corporation and produced now by Friction Management Services (FMS). Friction Management Services is a joint venture between Timken Company and Tranergy. The primary objective of the project was to determine the fuel savings/increased productivity of a train. Tests were conducted using a loaded aggregate train between Brewster, OH and Spencer, OH, a 37.8 mile; 40 mph-track. The system and lubricant evolved over a period of five years from analytical solution, design and prototyping, to production, field-testing and demonstration. Based on extensive field-testing, energy savings can be achieved by railroads using this system.
