In addition to the core project work of Rail CRC, the Centre also
offers consultancies in a range of expertise areas to assist rail
operators and track owners with challenges which arise in the
day-to-day operation of their business. A number of Rail CRC
university research participants also offer consultancy services to
the rail industry.
Rail CRC fatigue and durability consultancy
General freight traffic is expected to double by 2020, and to meet
this challenge the Australian rail industry must ensure its
infrastructure is of the highest standard. The durability of aging
rollingstock components and infrastructure is becoming a
significant problem for the industry.
Rail CRC has developed a range of analyses, tests and assessment
tools which can be used for assessing the life of aging
rollingstock and infrastructure and the impact of changes in
operational usage on safety and durability.
The Rail CRC fatigue assessment and durability consultancy can:
- Assess new designs for locomotives, wagons and bogies
- Assess performance and state of aging rollingstock
- Provide quality control of bridge repairs
- Identify cracks in bridges, rollingstock and other infrastructure
- Identify leakages in underground tunnels
The facility would assist manufacturers, rollingstock operators and
infrastructure owners.
Rail CRC diesel engine testing facility
The Rail CRC-funded Diesel Engine Research Facility at Monash
University has been a significant success under Project 55 ‘
The assessment of the effect of diesel fuel additives on locomotive
performance and operation’
to provide industry with an independent analyses and assessment of
the range of diesel fuel additives marketed to them claiming to
reduce fuel consumption, increase power and improve emissions.
Testing of more than 10 additives available on the market today did
not achieve a repeatable reduction in fuel consumption of more than
one per cent, even though some companies market up to five per cent
fuel savings as a result of additive use.
This consultancy remains available for Rail CRC participants to
assess different additives and also as an investigative tool for
after-market fuel and exhaust system fixtures to improve fuel
consumption and exhaust emissions.
