WAYSIDE LUBRICATION SYSTEMS IN SERBIA
Abstract
Lubrication of contact the wheel flange and the head of the track reduces the wear of wheel and rails and prolongs their service life. It also reduces the noise that occurs in their contact and significantly reduces the risk of derailment vehicle from rail. As a result of good lubrication, the rolling resistance decreases and, finaly, the total running resistance of the rolling stock, which leads to reduced energy/fuel consumption for train traction. The paper presents condition of lubrication devices on the traction vehicles in Serbia, as well as wayside lubrication systems for lubrication wheel/rail contact that have already been installed on railways in Serbia. An overview of modern wayside lubrication devices is given. Special attention has been paid to the effects of accelerated wheel wear on lubrication, energy/fuel consumption, total wheel/rail life and savings that have been achieved on many railroads in the world, all depending on the conditions of operation. Finally, recommendations are given on what type of devices should be installed on the tracks in Serbia so that the money invested in the devices would not be wasted, planned effects realized only on paper, and idea of the utility of lubrication compromised. During purchasing new (modern) wayside lubrication systems positive effects of installing the wayside lubrication systems can be expected after completing the mentioned requirements.
