Shuohuang Railway (SHR) is one of the major coal carriers in China, with a total network length of 590 km running from Shenchi to Huanghua. Significant increases in annual operating tonnage have generated accelerated rail wear and rolling contact fatigue (RCF) growth problems for many sharper/lower radius curves. In order to address these rail problems, SHR is interested in the state-of-the-art total friction management (TFM) technology currently deployed by some North American heavy haul freight railroads and is evaluating the impact of TFM via a field trial at SHR's Yuanping subdivision. This paper presents an evaluation of the effect of TFM, which includes both wayside gauge face lubrication and wayside application of a thin film top of rail friction modifier on control of lateral forces, rail wear and RCF.

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The driving safety of heavy-haul train is affected by the train's traction weight, the length of train, the line profile, the line speed limit, and other factors. Generally, when the train is running on a continuously long and steep downgrade line, it needs using the circulating air braking to adjust speed. When it is braking, the brake wave is transmitted non-linearly along the direction of the train. When it is relieved, it must be ensured that there is sufficient time for the train to be inflated. Therefore, it is difficult to ensure the safe operation of the heavy-haul train. In this article, a new method of the train's driving strategy based on improved genetic algorithm is proposed. First, a mathematical model for the operation of heavy-haul train is established with multiple parameters. Then, according to the improved genetic algorithm and the mathematical model of the heavy-haul train, the driving strategy of the chromosome of the train is studied. Finally, the driving curve which can ensure the safe running of the heavy-haul train can be obtained. By comparing the simulated driving curve with the actual one, the results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.