Increased locomotive performance using condition based maintenance

Following a review of maintenance costs a major US rail operator identified the need to change the way in which their diesel locomotive fleet was overhauled. This would involve the introduction of new maintenance techniques and detection technology as such a budget of approximately $3.4m was allocated to the improvement works. A rigorous selection process was followed to introduce a worldwide rail fleet maintenance provider who would provide the necessary skills and expertise to develop a Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) program allowing a proactive move from existing time based and break down maintenance actions.The CBM program would provide the necessary training and equipment requirements in the following tools and technologies: vibration analysis, stresswave analysis, oil analysis, thermal imaging, ultrasonics The program was to be designed to give early detection of faults related to: reciprocating diesel engines (2 and 4 stroke) including turbo´s, main and auxillary generators, compressors, water and lubrication pumps, traction motors, gearboxes, cooling fans, dynamic and inertial blowers, traction gearboxes. the type of faults identified would be:- rolling element bearing faults, gear mesh faults (wear, backlash, misalignment), load and electrical problems, lubrication issues and combustion problems.