Editor: Tom Guins / Winter 2013

1

As with previous newsletters, I am happy to report that the Rail Transportation Division is continuing to do very well. We recently completed the 2012 RTD Fall Technical Conference and are currently preparing for the 2013 Joint Rail Conference.

On October 16-18, the RTD hosted the Fall Technical Conference and Data Management Symposium in OmahaNE. This conference had a number of "firsts" for the RTD. The tour was organized by Union Pacific and included three stops. First we toured a showcase of vehicles that included a PTC equipped locomotive, a remote monitored reefer, and a top-of-rail lubrication coal car. Next we toured the UP data center which included wall-to-wall servers and network cables in the basement of the UP headquarters. Lastly, we toured the ESI laboratory which serves as the R&D lab for Union Pacific. Our dinner speaker was Lynden Tennison, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of the Union Pacific Railroad. He gave a talk on the state and future of UP's technology including wayside and track monitoring equipment. Lastly, the conference included the first ever "Data Management Symposium" day, which included presentations from Mechanical, Engineering, and Operating disciplines about data management needs. The day was kicked off by a plenary presentation by Todd Snyder from Union Pacific that gave a great overview of the industry's data needs. The day was capped off with anAAR sponsored town hall meeting to discuss Comprehensive Equipment Performance Monitoring (CEPM). The meeting included conference attendees and industry stakeholders, in particular wheelset and casting suppliers. An overview of the CEPM program was discussed by Kim Bowling of CSX and Todd Snyder of UP. In the end, the 2012 RTD Fall Technical conference had the highest attendance to-date for our fall conferences. Again, I want to thank everyone involved on the great work and successful conference.

Currently the RTD is also heavily working on the 2013 Joint Rail conference with the other participating groups. The 2013 JRC is scheduled for April 15-18 in Knoxville, TN and is planning participation from ASCE, IEEE, APTA, AREMA, INFORMS-RAS, TRB, and NURAIL. We're looking forward to another Joint Rail Conference that brings together the many facets of the industry and continue to push technology development and discussion.

As you can see, the RTD has a lot of exciting activities ahead of us. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming conferences.

Sincerely,

Matthew Dick, PE

ASME-RTD Chairman, 2012-2013

1

Tuesday, April 16

8:00 am – 9:45 am Session #1 Plenary Session

10:00 am – 11:45 am – Session # 2 Concurrent Sessions

Track 1 – Railroad Infrastructure Engineering

Track 2 - Rail Equipment Engineering

Track 4 – Service Quality and Operations Research

Track 6 – Safety and Security

12:00 pm – 1:1:15 pm Lunch

1:30 pm – 3:15 pm – Session # 3 Concurrent Sessions

Track 1 – Railroad Infrastructure Engineering

Track 2 - Rail Equipment Engineering

Track 6 – Safety and Security

Track 8 – Urban Passenger Rail Transport

3:30 pm – 5:15 pm – Session #4 Concurrent Sessions

Track 1 – Railroad Infrastructure Engineering

Track 4 – Service Quality and Operations Research

Track 9 – Electrification

6:30 pm Conference Reception

Wednesday, April 17

8:00 am – 9:45 am Session # 5 Concurrent Sessions

Track 1 – Railroad Infrastructure Engineering

Track 2 - Rail Equipment Engineering

Track 3 – Signal and Train Control Engineering

Track 5 – Planning and Development

10:00 am – 11:45 am – Session # 6 Concurrent Sessions

Track 1 – Railroad Infrastructure Engineering

Track 2 - Rail Equipment Engineering

Track 5 – Planning and Development

Track 7 – Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

12:00 pm – 1:1:15 pm Lunch

1:30 pm – 3:15 pm – Session # 7 Concurrent Sessions

Track 1 – Railroad Infrastructure Engineering

Track 2 - Rail Equipment Engineering

Track 3 – Signal and Train Control Engineering

Track 6 – Safety and Security

3:30 pm – 5:15 pm – Session #8 Concurrent Sessions

Track 1 – Railroad Infrastructure Engineering

Track 3 – Signal and Train Control Engineering

Track 5 – Planning and Development

Track 8 – Urban Passenger Rail Transport

6:30 pm Conference Banquet

Thursday, April 18

8 am – 9:15 pm Session # 9 Plenary Sessions

10:00 am – 11:45 am – Session # 10 Concurrent Sessions

Track 1 – Railroad Infrastructure Engineering

Track 2 - Rail Equipment Engineering

Track 3 – Signal and Train Control Engineering

Track 4 – Service Quality and Operations Research

12 pm – 4 pm Box Lunch and Technical Tour

CALL FOR PAPERS & PRESENTATIONS

Fall Technical Conference - 2013

Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA

October 14 - 17, 2013

You are invited to submit technical papers for presentation and discussion at the 2013 ASME Rail Transportation Division Fall Technical Conference. Papers are solicited from members of the railway supply industry, rail transportation companies, transit agencies, governmental agencies, consulting/engineering firms, academia, technical organizations and others. Papers should cover a topic of current industry interest. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

Positive Train Control / Communications-Based Train Control

High Speed Rail

Track and Equipment Health Monitoring
ECP Brakes

Passenger Equipment Crashworthiness

Innovations in Tank Cars

Heavy Axle Load Performance Issues
Materials and Failure Analysis of Track and Equipment Components

Locomotive and Freight Car Improvements

New or Improved Mechanical Components

Vehicle / Track Interaction

System Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Infrastructure and Capacity Enhancements

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Rail Transportation Division (RTD) continues to be a strong supporter of collegiate researchers, both professors and students, who play a vital role in the advancement of the rail industry. To this end, the ASME RTD offers the ASME RTD Graduate and Undergraduate Student Conference Scholarships, which give students the opportunity to network with rail professionals, present rail research publications, and exchange ideas on rail technological innovations and solutions at the world’s premier rail industry conferences including the ASME Joint Rail Conference (JRC) and the ASME RTD Fall Technical Conference. Most importantly, the scholarships will increase the awareness of the rail engineering discipline from both an academic and professional perspective.

In preparation of the April 15-18, 2013 ASME Joint Rail Conference in Knoxville, Tennessee, the ASME RTD has informed collegiate professors from across the nation and authors of accepted abstracts about the ASME RTD Graduate and Undergraduate Student Conference Scholarships, and encouraged eligible candidates to apply.

The details of each scholarship are provided below.

ASME RTD Graduate Student Conference Scholarship

Purpose: Fund travel, lodging, and conference registration expenses for scholarship awardees selected to attend and present their research publication at the ASME Joint Rail Conference or ASME Rail Transportation Division Fall Technical Conference.

Award Amount: $1,100.00 USD

Requirements:

  • The student must submit an abstract and written paper for an ASME conference and have those both accepted through the papers submission and review process.
  • The paper topic must be relevant to the rail industry.
  • The student must be lead author of the accepted paper.
  • The student must receive a written letter from ASME RTD indicating award of the scholarship.
  • The student must deliver an oral presentation of the paper in person at the conference.
  • The student must be enrolled and attending a U.S. college or university

Application Deadline: February 22, 2013

ASME RTD Undergraduate Student Conference Scholarship

Purpose: Fund travel, lodging, and conference registration expenses for scholarship awardees selected to attend the ASME Joint Rail Conference or ASME Rail Transportation Division Fall Technical Conference.

Award Amount: $850.00 USD

Requirements:

  • The scholarship is available to an individual student, or student group. All students must be of Junior or Senior status.
  • The student(s) must be enrolled in an undergraduate engineering program at their university, college, or technical college.
  • The student(s) must complete the application by the deadline indicated. If a student group is applying, only one application per group is required.
  • Each student must submit a maximum 750-word essay outlining why they should be selected to attend the conference and what they hope to gain through attendance (or what the student could contribute to the rail industry). Or, alternatively, a 750-word essay can be submitted that suggests a solution to a real-world rail industry problem. If a student group is applying, each student in the group must submit an essay.
  • The student must be enrolled and attending a U.S. college or university.

Application Deadline: January 31, 2013

If you, or anyone you may know, has an interest in the ASME RTD Graduate and/or Undergraduate Student Conference Scholarship or has questions regarding the V. Terrey Hawthorne Memorial Scholarship Fund, please contact Ms. Monique F. Stewart, ASME RTD Scholarship Program Chair, at .

The University of Tennessee Center for Transportation Research (CTR) is pleased to host JRC 2013 in Knoxville, Tennessee, April 15-17. The conference theme is Next Generation Railroads, Next Generation Railroaders: Innovations and People for the Future. Conference topics include Railroad Infrastructure Engineering, Service Quality & Operations Research, Rail Equipment Engineering, Planning & Development, Signal & Train Control, Engineering, and Safety & Security. See for further information and call for papers.

Uniquely Beautiful Surroundings

Knoxville is ideally situated near the nation’s most-visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains. The park is a renowned location for camping, hiking, picnicking, and viewing wildlife, among many other diversions. The City of Knoxville has been the regional hub since its founding in 1791 and rail has played an important part in the city’s development since before the Civil War. Knoxville is home to Southern Appalachia Railway Museum, which sponsors the Secret City Scenic excursion train in Oak Ridge, and Amtrak’s Three Rivers Rambler, which carries visitors from the downtown riverfront, past UT’s Neyland Stadium, and on to the Three Rivers Trestle where the French Broad and Holston rivers come together to form the Tennessee River. The conference hotel, Hilton Knoxville, is within a short walk of the UT campus and the Knoxville Museum of Art. Unique eateries located nearby offer delicious foods for every taste. Live music happens almost nightly on Market Square where residents of the thriving city center stroll and enjoy pubs, theaters, and art.

Celebrating 40 Years of Transportation Expertise

CTR was created in 1970 to foster and facilitate interdisciplinary research, public service, and outreach in the field of transportation at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Today CTR has over $10 million in research funding under contract. CTR programs concentrate on comprehensive transportation safety. Among our research partners are USDOT, FHWA, US Army Corps of Engineers, TDOT, and Governor’s Highway Safety Office. CTR develops and delivers programs for education, workforce development, continuing training, and community service. Its long-running summer program, TransportationAcademy, introduces middle school girls to the multifaceted world of transportation and the many career possibilities open to them. CTR, in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, runs the federally funded Safe Routes to School program to promote the benefits of children walking and biking to school. The Tennessee Vans program offers affordable transit options for underserved populations while CTR’s Rail & Track Program, Tennessee Transportation Assistance Program, and TrafficSignalAcademy provide critical continuing education to working professionals and field staff.

UT College of Engineering

Established in 1838, the College of Engineering has a long tradition of commitment to excellence in scientific research and training of engineering professionals. The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering is concerned with designing the infrastructure of a society. This encompasses construction, transportation, energy needs, and the design and development of urban areas. Environmental engineering solves problems with pollution and waste disposal and managing and minimizing damage to communities from water and other natural sources.

The University of Tennessee

Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Top 50 public research institutions in the nation, the University of Tennessee offers students a high-quality education. UT students have access to a top-notch library, professors who are leaders in their fields, and a wide range of study abroad programs and internships. Be sure to visit the newly dedicated Min Kao Engineering building that houses world class laboratories and teaching facilities.

ContactCenter for Transportation Research: 865.974.5255/ctr.utk.edu

.

1

1

1

Program Ads

Association of American Railroads
Union Pacific Railroad
Engineering Systems, Inc.
RailAdvisor.com
Amsted Rail Group
ENSCO, Inc.
KLD Labs, Inc.
L.B. Foster Company - Salient Systems
LTK Engineering Systems
National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association
Progress Rail Services
Standard Steel, LLC
Strato, Inc.
STV Incorporated
TTCI
TUV Rheinland Rail Sciences Inc
Association of American Railroads


Reception / Dinner Sponsors

Association of American Railroads
Union Pacific Railroad
Engineering Systems, Inc.
RailAdvisor.com
Amsted Rail Group
ENSCO, Inc.
KLD Labs, Inc.
L.B. Foster Company - Salient Systems
LTK Engineering Systems
National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association
Progress Rail Services
Standard Steel, LLC
Strato, Inc.
STV Incorporated
The Timken Company
TTCI
TUV Rheinland Rail Sciences Inc

1

1

RAIL TRANSPORTATION DIVISION OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

CHAIR:

Matthew Dick

Staff Technical Manager

ENSCO, Inc.
325 Winding River Lane, Suite 204
Charlottesville, VA22911

Phone: (703) 321-4515
Email:

------

SECRETARY-TREASURER:

Steven L. Dedmon

Director – Technology and R & D

Standard Steel, LLC

500 North Walnut Street

Burnham, PA17009

Phone: (717) 242-4972

Email:

------

TECHNICAL PROGRAM CHAIR:

Michelle Muhlanger

Deputy Regional Administrator, Region 1

Federal Railroad Administration

U.S. Department of Transportation

JohnA.VolpeNationalTransportationSystemsCenter

55 Broadway, Kendall Square

Cambridge, MA02142-1093

Phone: (617) 494-2630

Email:

------

ASST. TECHNICAL PROGRAM CHAIR:

Jeffrey Gordon

US Department of Transportation

Research and Innovative Technology Admin.

John A. Volpe National Transportation Sys. Ctr.

Structures & Dynamics Division, RTV-3G

55 Broadway

Cambridge, MA02142

Phone: (617) 494-2303

Email:

------

CHAIR PUBLICITY RR-8, & CHAIR

ANNUAL LUNCHEON:

Robert Irving

491 N Silverleaf Blvd.

Carol Stream, IL60183

Phone: (630) 668-3543

E-mail:

------

MANAGER OF DIVISIONAL AFFAIRS:

Samuel R. Williams

5759 Scotia Court

Dublin, OH43016-3256

Phone: (614) 766-6970

Email:

------

CONFERENCE PLANNING MANAGER:

Nicholas J. Darien

8462 Sandalwood Ct.

Darien, IL60561-1768

Phone: (630) 910-8552

Email:

------

------

ASME STAFF SUPPORT:

- Stephen Crane

Program Manager

ASME

3 Park Avenue, M/S-14S2

New York, NY10016-5990

Phone: (212) 591-8258

E-mail:

- LaShion Pettiford

Administrator

ASME

3 Park Avenue, M/S-14S1

New York, NY10016-5990

Phone: (212) 591-7387

E-mail:

------

1