Flat spots, hot boxes, and host of other problems could be tackled by the technology originally developed to keep retail goods safe from light-fingered shop lifters. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is set to be rolled on more than 15,000 of freight locomotives and wagons in the UK, to help maintenance engineers keep on top of common issues that sometimes lead to major problems.
The fitting of electronic tags on wagons could put an end to the problem of defective wheels running unchecked on trains, causing damage to rolling stock and infrastructure. The new safety scheme is part of Network Rail’s Condition of Freight Vehicles on the Network (CFVN) programme, and will enable the condition of wheelsets to be monitored in real-time, and to link measurement data to specific wheels.
Defective or worn wheelsets can cause broken rails and damage to wagons if left untreated and can lead to safety issues and delays on the railway for both passenger and freight trains. The scheme could also be a major boost to safety on the railway at large, preventing accidents caused by faulty wheels.