Analog/hybrid simulation of rail vehicle lateral dynamics

Analog/hybrid computer simulation is a promising tool for research into the lateral dynamics of rail vehi cles. The complexity and nonlinearity of these dynamics makes hybrid computing cost-effective. This paper describes the progressive development of analog/ hybrid simulations beginning with the basic model of the trao-degree-of-freedom wheezset and evolving into a complex, multi-degree-of-freedom, nonlinear model of a freight car. Simulation results include the limit-cycle behavior of a nonlinear wheelset model and the response of an idealized model of a freight- car. Extension of this work to more realistic freight-car models is discussed.