Technology Digests / Update on Revenue Service Frog Testing

TD24-009

August 30, 2024
Authors
  • Duane Otter
  • Ekrem Koç
Share

Key Findings

  • A RBM frog with a heavy point at South Fork, KY, remained operational for more than 660 MGT and over 8 years. This is substantially longer than other frog designs involved in this testing.
  • Test frogs with a modified heavy point design, deployed in 2017 at Kings Mountain, KY, and Palm, KY, did not perform as well as those equipped with the original heavy point design. Modified heavy point frogs had a shorter wheel transfer zone due to wider flangeways.
  • After accumulating over 250 MGT, the wings of two frogs with longitudinal wing slopes remained in very good condition with no weld repairs required. The longitudinal wing slopes appear to be functioning as intended.
  • New frogs, featuring original heavy point designs and flat top running surfaces, were installed at Kings Mountain and Palm in 2022. MxV Rail is monitoring these frogs to quantify the effects of running surface profile for the original heavy point frog design.

Update on Revenue Service Frog Testing

As part of its Revenue Service Testing Program, MxV Rail engineers tested the performance of several No. 20 frog surface designs on Norfolk Southern Railway (NS). This long-term study includes testing several different No. 20 frog designs installed on a busy main line of NS track. This Technology Digest provides an update on the third phase of testing. BACKGROUND In 2013, the first phase of testing began with two NS standard frogs and two premium frog systems. The premium test frogs had heavy points, conformal running surface profiles, low-impact or welded heel designs, and elevated guard bars. The outcomes of this initial trial were documented in a previous Technology Digest,1 and the tested frogs have since been retired from service. In the next phase of frog surface design testing, two additional frogs were introduced to the same line in 2017. The second-phase frogs featured a modified heavy point design.2,3 Achieved…