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Crash Energy Management Coupling Test between a Coach Car and a Passenger Locomotive

Document Series:
Technical Reports
Author:
  • Federal Railroad Administration
Report Number
DOT/FRA/ORD-21/01
Office
RDI-22
Subject:
Crashworthiness - Passenger Equipment
Keywords:
Coupling impact test, crash energy management, transportation safety, passenger car safety
Document
CEM Coupling-A.pdf (11.04 MB)

Transportation Technology Center, Inc. conducted impact tests with a Budd M1 passenger car and an F40 locomotive to evaluate the performance of both vehicles under dynamic conditions. The locomotive was retrofitted with crash energy management components, including a push-back coupler (PBC) and crushable anti-climbers. A series of impact tests were performed October 3 and 4, 2017, at the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado. The M1 passenger car was impacted by the locomotive at 1.8 mph, 3.74 mph, 5.66 mph, 6.84 mph, 7.63 mph, and 8.85 mph. The most substantial damage was inflicted upon the M1 passenger car, with the F40 locomotive sustaining no noticeable damage. The most significant damage was the buckling of the M1 traction rod that occurred during the third test. The traction rod was replaced and buckled again during the fourth test, and was not replaced. The PBC activated during the last test at 8.85 mph.


Last updated: Friday, January 22, 2021