The influence of journal box position error on wheelset asymmetric flange wear of the 2C0-type locomotive

• Based on one kind of 2C0-type locomotive, the causes of wheelset asymmetric flange wear are discussed.
• The influence of the positioning deviation of wheelset journal box of one kind of 2C0-locomotive is analyzed in detail.
• Based on a 2C0-type locomotive dynamics model, the influence of the journal positioning deviation at each wheelset on wheelset lateral displacement and wheelset deflection direction within the same bogie have been researched.
• It is suggested that asymmetric flange wear can be minimized by eliminating or decreasing positioning deviations of wheelset journal boxes.

This paper addresses the problem of asymmetric flange wear of a particular type of 3-axle (2C0-type) locomotive that runs on the Chinese railway system. In particular, the influence on wheelset asymmetric wear of errors in the longitudinal location of the journal box is examined. Based on a 2C0-type locomotive dynamics model, the influence of the journal positioning deviation at each wheelset on wheelset lateral displacement and wheelset deflection direction within the same bogie have been researched. Simulation results indicate that a positioning deviation at the first wheelset has a great effect on the lateral displacement of the first wheelset, whereas deviations at the middle and the third wheelset have a great influence on the lateral displacement of the middle wheelset and less influence on other wheelsets. When a positioning deviation exists in two wheelsets at the same time, an anti-phase deviation will have a greater influence and more easily produce asymmetric flange wear than a same-phase positioning deviation. This study suggests that asymmetric flange wear can be minimised by eliminating or decreasing positioning deviations of wheelset journal boxes.