TEMPERATURE MONITORING OF WHEEL-SET ROLLER BEARINGS ON THE DB ROLLING STOCK

Higher train speeds and heavier axle loads mean that axle bearings are more highly stressed. Despite greatest care in design and maintenance, hot boxes cannot be entirely avoided. As a results of technical rationalization, the observation of trains during running has been greatly restricted, so that means have had to be developed for the reliable detection and reporting of hot boxes. Described here are the most promising methods, their capabilities, their merits and drawbacks. A detailed price comparison is also made. The results show that the stationary hot-box locator (HOA) will be the method favoured by the DB, although the other techniques will continue to be followed with interest.