Track Functional Group

Technical Committee 4 – Rail

 This committee is responsible for the development and publication of recommended practices and information relating to:

  • Design and use of selected rail sections.
  • Design and use of joint bars, bolts, washers, and nuts.
  • Metallurgical specifications for rail steel and acceptance tests.
  • Specifications for the manufacture and shipment of rail, joint bars, bolts, washers and nuts.
  • Plant and field welding methods.
  • Classification of secondhand rail.
  • Rail testing, rail wear, grinding and friction modification.
  • Maintenance of records relating to rail use and other data required to keep the membership fully informed regarding rail life and utilization.

Chair

W. Brian Mullins

Mgr Rail Welding

Norfolk Southern Railway

Email: brian.mullins@nscorp.com

Vice Chair

Anna Albers

Director - Track Compliance

Amtrak

Email: anna.albers@amtrak.com

Subcommittees and Current Assignments

Subcommittee A: Recommendations for Further Investigation and Research.

Subcommittee B: Revision of Manual.

Subcommittee 1: Welding of Rail.

C4-2-94: Monitor current AAR research and American Welding Society recommended practices for methods to include in AREMA recommended practice. Ongoing assignment.
Ad-Hoc group working on slow bend tests section 3.10.2.6 
Ad-Hoc to evaluate Thermite Slow Bend Testing Table Section 3.13.3.7
Ad Hoc working on reaffirmation of 3.13.4 Weld Integrity Test Procedure

Subcommittee 2: Rolling of Rail.

Ad-Hoc working to update macro etch photos in manual. 
Ad-Hoc working to update Chemical Composition and Mechanical Properties.
Ad-Hoc created to work on creating “Cold Hole Expansion” content for inclusion in 2.1.12 Drilling.

Subcommittee 3: Rail Statistics.

C3-1-76: Maintain statistics of rail usage in North America. Ongoing assignment.

Subcommittee 4: Friction Management

Ad-Hoc working on Best Practices for testing and evaluation of friction modifiers.
Ad-Hoc working on Section 4.11.6.5 Spacing Lubricator Formula.
Ad-Hoc working on Section 4.11.5 Lubricants and/or Friction Modifiers.
Ad Hoc working on carry down properties.

Subcommittee 5: Physical Testing & Measurements.

C5-1-78: Rail specification, research and development. Ongoing assignment.
Ad-Hoc working on Section 2.1.9.6 “Interior Condition/Micro cleanliness Standards”

Subcommittee 6: Joint Bars Design and Testing.

Ad-Hoc group working on drawings for head and toe of joint bars to identify critical locations for joint bar surface conditions. 
Ad-Hoc for Development of Bonded Insulated Joint Standards for High-Speed Rail.
Ad Hoc for Part 3 Joining Rail for reaffirmation.
Ad-Hoc working on Joint Bar Decarburization

Subcommittee 7: Report on Railwear, Grinding, Lubrication, and Other Tests at FAST.

C7-1-97: AAR liaison between activities within the AAR and TTCI and AREMA Committee 4: Monitors research for improving quality of rail and improving rail life through rail maintenance practices. Ongoing assignment.

Subcommittee 8: Update Industry on Nondestructive Inspection of Rail in Mills, Welding Plants, and in Track.

Ad Hoc working on recommended practices for measuring and remediating Rolling Contact Fatigue (RCF).
Ad Hoc working on Section 4 maintenance of Rail

Subcommittee 9: Railwear, Grinding and Lubrication.

C9-01-08: Research and Survey Industry Best Practices. Ongoing assignment. 
Ad-Hoc working on Section 4.8 Rail Grinding Best practices. 
Ad-Hoc on addition of rail milling best practices to manual.