Mike Roney Past Chairman – International Heavy Haul Association

1. 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” Sold Out

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 K1C 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

9. 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

10. See you at ………..