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Class BM Steel prone to subsurface Cracks
Date issue released
Safety Issue Description

Subsurface cracks appeared to be more common on wheels made with Class BM grade steel while operating under conditions of high speed cyclic loading, such as the SCT class locomotives

Issue number
RO-2011-009-SI-02
Transport Function
Rail: Freight
Issue Owner
SCT Logistics
Mode of Transport
Rail
Issue Status Justification

SCT has advised the following actions: • Update the wheel management policies to require a more regular wheel machining regime across the fleet, in the range 130,000 km – 150,000 km, removing 4 mm per turn. • For future wheel purchases, particularly for high speed operations specify NUVAN class vanadium modified steel that provides increased fracture toughness.

Proactive action
Action number
RO-2011-009-NSA-025
Organisation
Class BM grade steel
Action date
Action Status
Closed
Action description

To reduce the risk of further failures with wheels fitted to the SCT classes of locomotives, SCT has advised the following actions:

  • Update the wheel management policies to require a more regular wheel machining regime across the fleet, in the range 130,000 km – 150,000 km, removing 4 mm per turn.
  • For future wheel purchases, particularly for high speed operations specify NUVAN class vanadium modified steel that provides increased fracture toughness.
ATSB Response

The ATSB is satisfied that the action taken by SCT Logistics addresses this safety issue.