Railcar Axle Inspection Current State, Future Needs, and Opportunities

Abstract

This tutorial article briefly overviews the current state-of-the-art railcar axle inspection methods to detect and characterize axle discontinuities or indications. This paper also presents and discusses some of the initiatives conducted by MxV Rail (formerly TTCI) and other researchers on the use of emerging and advanced nondestructive evaluation (NDE) technologies that are at different phases of development and not commercially available. Finally, a brief discussion is provided on the need for novel in-motion axle inspection NDE methods for moving trains. Such technology would enhance the safety of railcar axles. The need depends on the regulations in a given jurisdiction and on the class of service (passenger, freight, certain regulated hazardous materials).