RAILROAD RAILS AND CAR WHEELS SUFFER MECHANICAL WEAR THROUGH USE, AND THIS WEAR IS A MAJOR MAINTENANCE EXPENSE ITEM FOR MOST RAILROADS.

RAILROAD RAILS AND CAR WHEELS SUFFER MECHANICAL WEAR THROUGH USE, AND THIS WEAR IS A MAJOR MAINTENANCE EXPENSE ITEM FOR MOST RAILROADS. IT HAS BEEN SHOWN THAT SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTION IN WEAR CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH LUBRICATION, ALTHOUGH THE LUBRICATORS THEMSELVES ARE A MAINTENANCE PROBLEM. IT IS PROPOSED TO DEVELOP AN ANTI-WEAR COATING WHICH CAN BE APPLIED PERIODICALLY TO RAILS TO REDUCE WEAR AND TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH MAINTENANCE OF LUBRICATORS. SUCH A COATING HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED, AND ITS APPLICABILITY TO RAILROAD WHEELS AND RAILS WILL BE EXAMINED IN THIS WORK.