A North American short-line freight operator serving a mixed network of regional freight routes sought a durable alternative to the conventional pedestal liner materials used in its EMD locomotive fleet. The operator runs a fleet of four-axle and six-axle locomotives across a network characterised by curved track, varying gradients, seasonal contamination, and demanding operating conditions.
As part of an ongoing truck refurbishment programme, Vesconite Rail’s Hilube 20 pedestal liners were installed on an EMD slug unit in 2022. Hilube 20 was selected for its combination of high impact strength, excellent wear resistance, and consistent low-friction performance.
Pedestal liners perform a critical function within the locomotive truck. Positioned between the axle box and the pedestal jaws, they provide a durable wear surface while allowing the axle box to move within the design clearances of the suspension system.
The coefficient of friction at this interface influences how freely the axle box can respond to traction forces, track irregularities, and curving forces. Excessive friction may restrict axle box movement, resulting in stick-slip behaviour and increased resistance to wheelset self-alignment when negotiating curves. This can increase forces transmitted through the truck and contribute to accelerated wear of axle box, pedestal, wheel, and rail components.
Vesconite Rail’s Hilube 20 provides a consistent low-friction, self-lubricating wear surface that helps minimise friction-related resistance to axle box movement within the pedestal assembly. By reducing friction at the axle box-pedestal interface, Hilube 20 promotes free movement within the design clearances of the suspension system under traction and braking loads.
After four years in service, the freight rail workshop personnel reported no observable wear on the pedestal liners and noted that the components remained in excellent condition.
The successful application demonstrates the suitability of Hilube 20 for demanding locomotive environments where components are exposed to high loads, impact loading, vibration, contamination, and continuous service conditions. By protecting expensive steel components while maintaining consistent low-friction performance and reducing the risk of wear to wheel flanges and track, Hilube 20 helps extend component life, improve truck performance, and reduce maintenance costs.
Benefits observed
- No observable liner wear after approximately four years in service
- Consistent low-friction performance under traction and braking loads
- Protection of pedestal jaw and axle box contact surfaces
- High resistance to impact and shock loading
- Reduced pedestal liner maintenance requirements
- Reduced risk of wheel flange and track wear
