Rolling Stock Introduction and Functions

Rolling Stock Introduction

• Rolling stock is any wheeled vehicle that runs on rails.
• It's a crucial component of a railway system.
• It transports passengers and goods safely.
• A generic term for anything on rail wheels, powered or unpowered.

Rolling Stock Functions

• Ferry: Able to carry passengers and/or cargo.
• Protect: Passengers and cargo must be protected.
• Drive: The vehicle must accelerate and overcome aerodynamic friction, rolling resistance, and gradient resistance.
• Brake: The vehicle must be able to brake and stop on downward slopes.
• Sense: Receive information from Balise, ATP, and Trip-Clock.
• Actuate: Operate axle counters and track circuits.

Rolling Stock Types

• Passenger Transport: EMU (Electric Multiple Units), DMU (Diesel Multiple Units), coaches, carriages, or passenger cars.
• Freight Transport: Freight cars or wagons
• Other Types: Bullet trains, Maglev trains, Automated Guideway Transit (AGT), Monorail Train.

Existing Rolling Stocks

• LRT Line-1 System:

  • 1st Generation (1984 Class 1000): High-floor Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) that first entered service in 1984.
  • 2nd Generation (1999 Class 1100): Manufactured by a South Korean company, Hyundai Precision and Adtranz, utilizing AC traction motors.
  • 3rd Generation (2007 Class 1200): Over 48 vehicles built by Japanese manufacturers, Kinki Sharyo and Nippon Sharyo.
  • 4th Generation (2023 Class 13000): Included in the South Extension of the line. First LRV in the system with 5 digits.

• LRT Line-2 System (2003 Class 2000): Electric multiple unit, operated in Manila, manufactured by Hyundai Rotem.

• MRT Line-3 System:

  • 1st Generation (1999 Class 3000): 73 light rail vehicles (LRV) from Czech Republic by CKD Tatra, three-car configuration with a capacity of 1,182 passengers.
  • 2nd Generation (2016 Class 3100): Manufactured in China by CNR Dalian (now CRRC Dalian).

Train Dynamics

• Train Resistance: Forces opposing train motion.
• Causes of Resistance: Rail-wheel friction, track condition (dips, ups, curves), air/wind resistance, internal resistance from moving parts, inclines, and curves.
• Types of Resistance:
  • Starting Resistance: The initial force to overcome inertia, low temperature of the bearing, and tightening of the couplers. Formula: Rs = rs * w * n.
  • Running Resistance: Resistance during normal operation on a straight and flat surface. Formula: Rr = A + BV + CV².
  • Gradient Resistance: Resistance due to the gravitational pull of the earth when running uphill or downhill. Formula: Rg = W sin θ = 9.8 Wi.
  • Curve Resistance: Frictional drag between wheels and rails when running on curves. Formula: Rc = 600/r x 9.8 = 5880/r.
• Equivalent Gradient: The combined effect of curve and gradient resistance. Formula: rcg = rc ± rg = 9.8i'

Brake System

• Importance: Stopping a moving train is crucial, and good brakes are essential.

• Early Brakes: Simple hand brakes used in early rail travel.

• Air Brake System: The standard fail-safe system. Compressed air operates brakes.

• Automatic Air Brake: Compressed air is supplied from a main reservoir to auxiliary reservoirs on each car.

• Straight Air Brake: Performs poorly on longer trains due to uneven application/release of brakes on different cars.

• Types of Brakes:

  • Service Brake: Used for regular deceleration/stopping.
  • Emergency Brake: Used for instantaneous maximum braking force.
  • Parking Brake: Used to hold the train in stationary position.

• Electric Braking:

  • Rheostatic Braking: Generated electricity is fed into resistors causing it to dissipate as heat.
  • Regenerative Braking: Generated electricity is fed back into the power supply distribution system.

• Mechanical Brakes: Wheel-tread brake system, axle-mounted disc brake system.

• Pneumatic Braking: Air compressor, Main Air Reservoir, Brake cylinder, Brake Pads or Brake Shoes, etc.

Driver's Cabin

• Purpose: A central location for controls, instruments, and equipment for safe and efficient train operation.
• Master Controller: Used to control train speed, acceleration, deceleration, and braking.
• Dead-Man's Device and Vigilance Device: Essential safety devices that require continual pressure on a switch or pedal and maintain traction.
• Front Display Panel: Visual display of essential train information, conditions, and operational instructions.

Hostler Control

• Designated for personnel (hostler ) who move and place rolling stock in storage yards.
• Typically located at the rear of the vehicle, containing controls for movement, braking, and doors.

Conductor's Control

• Controls for operating train doors, and emergency braking.

Door System

• Importance: Essential for boarding and alighting passengers, preventing accidents from open doors during operation.

• Slam Door: Earliest door technology.

• Folding Door: Opens by bending outward.

• Plug Door: Slides perpendicular to the car body when opening/closing.

• Outside Hanging Sliding Door: Simpler and easier to maintain than others.

• Basic Components:

• Door Leaves/Panels

• Control Units

• Audio-Visual Indicators

• Obstruction Detection Device

• Door Seals

• Emergency Release Mechanism

• Door Drives

This quiz covers the essential concepts of rolling stock, including its definition, functions, and types. Understand various vehicles used in railway systems, their roles, and operational requirements for safe transport. Test your knowledge on passenger and freight transport solutions.