Wheel Management Strategy for the SRA CityRail EMU Fleet

This paper describes the initiatives taken to prolong wheel life of the CityRail EMU fleet and improve fleet availability by better wheel management. In late 1996, after a lengthy investigation into wheel defects and the characteristics affecting wheel life, an Engineering Instruction was developed and issued to the maintenance staff outlining a new method of wheel management. The flange wear of all the fleet is now monitored and the data recorded on a computer database. A computer algorithm predicts when each wheel should be turned to obtain optimum wheelset life, in particular, so that the final wheel turn is as close as possible to the minimum wheel diameter. The correct timing of the final wheel turn ensures the life of a wheel is fully utilised. Additionally, a revised wheel profile was introduced to reduce the depth of cut.