Effect of Long-Term Inactivity on Railcar Bearing Lubricant and Seal Function

Prior work on the effects of prolonged inactivity on rail bearing performance focused on possible effects of extended idle periods on lubricant condition and performance. Those studies utilized bearings which had been idle for three years. Normal changes in lubricant antioxidants and consistency were observed but changes did not fall outside the necessary condition for safe operation of the bearing. A controlled study of long-term idleness on lubricant characteristics began as part of that study and the research team proposes extending that work for another year. In the testing of the idle bearings received from CSX Transportation, two seal-related conditions were observed which would have some impact on long term performance. One bearing showed evidence of water intrusion as evidenced both by corrosion on the bearing raceway and behavior of samples in thermal analysis. In addition, several bearings subjected to service testing developed lubricant leaks from the metallic joint between the seal and bearing cup which is a press fit. In almost two decades of bearing life testing, the research team has never seen a leak at that location, even in bearings which had been reassembled multiple times. The proposed work would have one continuing effort and one new line of investigation. (1) The effects of extended inactivity on lubricants stored in a bearing simulator and continuously exposed to the South Texas elements would continue for another year. (2) Evaluation of effects of extended periods under load without rotation on the metal-metal interface between the bearing seal and the bearing cup.

• Record URL:
  • https://www.utrgv.edu/railwaysafety/research/mechanical/index.htm
• Supplemental Notes:
  • CSX Transportation, MxV Rail, and the National Transportation Board (NTSB) are partners for this project.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $154,251.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552348340

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

  1201 W. University Dr
  Edinburg, TX  United States  78539
• Managing Organizations:

  University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

  1201 W. University Dr
  Edinburg, TX  United States  78539
• Project Managers:

  Stearns, Amy

• Performing Organizations:

  University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

  1201 W. University Dr
  Edinburg, TX  United States  78539
• Principal Investigators:

  Tarawneh, Constantine

  Jones, Robert

  Taha Tijerina, Jose Jaime

• Start Date: 20250601
• Expected Completion Date: 20260831
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bearing tests; Bearings; Corrosion; Lubricants; Railcar structural components; Railroad safety
• Geographic Terms: Texas
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01960670
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: University Transportation Center for Railway Safety
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552348340
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jul 14 2025 6:59PM