Abstract
In the long-term endurance test of Shinkansen electric cars at the speed of 240 km/h, the shape of the wheels and vibration of the cars were measured periodically. This test was continued up to a running distance nearly equal to that which requires an overhaul of the trucks. From the data of the wheel shapes, the wear characteristics were analyzed, and their quantitative effects on the running vibrations were researched. As a result, the following matters were clarified. (1) During the tested running distance, the riding quality level of lateral vibration grew 2∼3 dB because of the increased play between the flange and the rail-side caused by flange wear. (2) In the case of present trucks, tread wear did not dominantly affect the running vibration. Thus, it is supposed that the lateral shift of the contact point between the wheel tread and rail-head caused by the worn wheel played an important role in this result.
