About Bernard Markowicz Expertise Expertise in large and complex operations management problems, operations improvement, real-time network management, equipment management and distribution, information systems design, rail operations.
Experience Former director with major rail company, and long-time consultant.
Expert: Bernard Markowicz Date: 7/26/2006 Subject: Rails/Railroad
Question Thanks for your response. Basically, I am looking for information on
A: Locomotive design, construction and repairs as they would pertain to a collision or derailment. How do they work? Engines, traction motors, trucks, generators/alternators, dynamic braking etc.
B:Rail bed construction. Basics on layout, specifications, requirements.
C:Rail crossing equipment. Controls, requirements,layout etc. How they work.
I understand that these are wide ranging subjects but I am looking for a more general knowledge in any of the above areas. Books to read? Web sites?
Hope this helps clear it up a bit. I have a toll free number available if necessary.
Thanks in advance,
Mike
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Followup To
Question -
I am an Appraiser at an insurance company in Canada that encounters rail type losses from time to time that involve rail cars, locomotives, tracks and crossing signals.
Are you aware of any type of general training that might be available that relates to these subjects? Extensive searching of the web has produced only rail industry training that is specific to a job someone might be interesed in. Or are there any web sites that get a little technical with regards to explanations of specifications, requirements, design and operation?
Thanks in advance for any help you might give,
Mike Kelly
Answer -
sorry for the delay. what do you mean by specifications, requirements, design and operation? I assume that you would want to be trained in all of these subjects? This is quite a wide field. Locomotive, railcars, tracks and crossing signals have alsmost nothing to do with one another on a railroads. Individuals that deal with such subjects on a railroad barely know one another. Locos and railcars are the closers to one another but only because they are managed together as pieces of equipment, not becuase of their enginering properties.
I am not sure whether I make sense. Please tell me a bit more about what your needs are. I would be glad to go back and forth with you and sicuss what you need. Please take a look at the railserve.com website also it may give you ideas.
Regards,
Some good books
Railroad Engineering, 2nd Edition - William W. Hay JOHN WILEY & SONS
Bonnett C.,F.: Practical Railway Engineering World Scientific Pub Co, December 1996, ISBN 1860940129
Locomotove engineering is tough. There is GE and GM just about. You may want to contact Gordon B. Mott
Independent Consultant gbmott@comcast.net for further details
