Dynamic modelling of steam locomotives using VAMPIre®

Owen Evans, DeltaRail

Introduction to DeltaRail

We are a software and technology products and services We are a software and technology products and services business with offices in Derby and Londonbusiness with offices in Derby and London

We were formerly AEA Technology Rail and BR We were formerly AEA Technology Rail and BR ResearchResearch

We provide:We provide:• Signalling and signalling control solutionsSignalling and signalling control solutions• Operational softwareOperational software• Infrastructure support services and systemsInfrastructure support services and systems• Rolling stock maintenance solutionsRolling stock maintenance solutions One of our products is VAMPIREOne of our products is VAMPIRE®®, a well-proven , a well-proven

computer package for modelling the dynamic behaviour computer package for modelling the dynamic behaviour of railway vehiclesof railway vehicles

Introduction to VAMPIRE®

VAMPIREVAMPIRE®® was developed during the APT project to was developed during the APT project to simulate the behaviour of high speed rail vehiclessimulate the behaviour of high speed rail vehicles

It has been developed and expanded into a reliable and It has been developed and expanded into a reliable and easy-to-use tool for railway vehicle dynamics engineerseasy-to-use tool for railway vehicle dynamics engineers

It is currently licensed to customers all over the worldIt is currently licensed to customers all over the world It has very rarely been used to model steam locomotivesIt has very rarely been used to model steam locomotives

Websites

DeltaRail website:DeltaRail website:www.deltarail.comwww.deltarail.com

VAMPIRE website:VAMPIRE website:www.vampire-dynamics.co.ukwww.vampire-dynamics.co.uk

Introduction to Owen Evans

Career railway engineerCareer railway engineer Sponsored student with BRELSponsored student with BREL Worked on bogie structures 1991-96Worked on bogie structures 1991-96 Carried out dynamics for the new Turbostar and Carried out dynamics for the new Turbostar and

Electrostar trains using VAMPIREElectrostar trains using VAMPIRE®® Left Adtranz and joined AEA Technology in 2001Left Adtranz and joined AEA Technology in 2001 Can’t remember a time when I didn’t love steam Can’t remember a time when I didn’t love steam

locomotiveslocomotives

Why model steam locomotives?

Background

Most current new builds are largely replicas of Most current new builds are largely replicas of successful prototypes, some incorporating existing partssuccessful prototypes, some incorporating existing parts

Vehicle acceptance on basis of ‘grandfather rights’Vehicle acceptance on basis of ‘grandfather rights’ This approach is less favoured nowThis approach is less favoured now Some groups may wish to modify existing locomotives to Some groups may wish to modify existing locomotives to

improve performanceimprove performance Some may wish to build a new design of loco using Some may wish to build a new design of loco using

modern technology modern technology Some may wish to build new locos based on old designs Some may wish to build new locos based on old designs

that were not entirely successful and will need to change that were not entirely successful and will need to change the designthe design

The Class P2

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, builders of ‘Tornado’, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, builders of ‘Tornado’, wish to build a new Class P2 2-8-2 locomotivewish to build a new Class P2 2-8-2 locomotive

The Class P2

The original locos were fast and powerful and a new one The original locos were fast and powerful and a new one would be able to pull heavy trains on Network Railwould be able to pull heavy trains on Network Rail

The new loco as the only full size 2-8-2 in Britain would The new loco as the only full size 2-8-2 in Britain would attract great interestattract great interest

The originals were accused of causing track damage The originals were accused of causing track damage and suffered from broken crank axlesand suffered from broken crank axles

The new version will have to be significantly modifiedThe new version will have to be significantly modified The modern approvals process will require such a loco The modern approvals process will require such a loco

to be modelled dynamicallyto be modelled dynamically Before this a feasibility study is required, involving Before this a feasibility study is required, involving

dynamic modellingdynamic modelling

The Class P2 feasibility study

New area for VAMPIRE, so important to have a validated New area for VAMPIRE, so important to have a validated modelmodel

Test results available for ‘Tornado’ track tests on GCR Test results available for ‘Tornado’ track tests on GCR and Newcastle-Yorkand Newcastle-York

VAMPIRE model of ‘Tornado’ created and validatedVAMPIRE model of ‘Tornado’ created and validated Model modified to represent Class P2 as builtModel modified to represent Class P2 as built Aim to reproduce curving problems found in practiceAim to reproduce curving problems found in practice Apply proposed design changes (mainly pony truck) and Apply proposed design changes (mainly pony truck) and

assess effectivenessassess effectiveness Help to decide whether to proceed with projectHelp to decide whether to proceed with project

Challenges of steam loco modelling

Much of suspension similar to older freight vehiclesMuch of suspension similar to older freight vehicles• Leaf springsLeaf springs

• Hanger linksHanger links

• HornguidesHornguides A few particular challengesA few particular challenges

• Links hanging from leaf springsLinks hanging from leaf springs

• Static indeterminacyStatic indeterminacy

• Reciprocating massesReciprocating masses

• The Cartazzi truckThe Cartazzi truck

Reciprocating masses

Calculate and apply sinusoidal forces using User Calculate and apply sinusoidal forces using User SubroutineSubroutine

Frequency can be derived from speedFrequency can be derived from speed Need to calculate longitudinal and vertical forces and Need to calculate longitudinal and vertical forces and

roll, pitch and yaw moments on loco body and wheelsetsroll, pitch and yaw moments on loco body and wheelsets

The Cartazzi truck

The Cartazzi truck

The Cartazzi truck

The Cartazzi truck

The Cartazzi truck

The Cartazzi truck

The Cartazzi truck

The Cartazzi truck model

And several hundred lines of Fortran!And several hundred lines of Fortran!

Determining the CG height

The complete ‘Tornado’ model

The complete ‘Tornado’ model

The complete ‘Tornado’ model

‘Tornado’ model validation- locomotive

‘Tornado’ model validation- tender

The P2 ‘as-built’ model

The P2 ‘as-built’ model

The P2 ‘as-built’ model

The P2 ‘as-built’ model

Next… the modified P2 model

Thanks to the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust

www.a1steam.comwww.a1steam.com

Questions…?