HIGH SPEED TRACK INSPECTION MACHINE

The speed improvement tests conducted on the new Sanyo Trunk Line have revealed the necessity for control over the short-wavelength track irregularities that possibly result from the shape of the rail-head section, as well as the long-wavelength track irregularities such as those detectable by the level transit. The author describes the structure of the high-speed track-inspection equipment (HISTIM), which has been developed for inspection and measurement of such track irregularities, and presents the results of the tests conducted with the equipment. The short-wavelength irregularities occur under the fluctuations of the wheel load and changes in lateral force, while the long-wavelenth irregularities considered as the disorder of surface in relation to travelling comfort.