Wheel Wear of the Humpback Freight Vehicle and Lubrication on the Curved Tracks

At present, research on wheel wear for special freight vehicles, such as humpback vehicles, remains limited and lacks a systematic approach. The specific wear characteristics of wheels on humpback freight vehicles are not yet well understood. In this study, a dynamic simulation model of a humpback freight vehicle with small‐diameter wheels was developed. Using the Jendel wear model, the progression of wheel wear on such vehicles was calculated, and the effects of primary suspension parameters, secondary suspension parameters, and curved track geometry on wear evolution were examined. Wheel wear under varying friction coefficients was also analysed via the Polach model. The findings indicate that wheel wear is strongly affected by longitudinal and lateral stiffness in the primary suspension. Additionally, wear accumulates continuously as superelevation increases. Asymmetric rail cant and gauge widening on curved tracks are shown to effectively reduce wheel wear, with a 15 mm gauge widening resulting in a 21.9% reduction in wear on the left wheel. Furthermore, wear is notably mitigated under wet, low‐coefficient friction (LCF), and oil‐contaminated conditions. This study offers practical insights to support the operation and maintenance of humpback freight vehicles in railway systems.