Magnetic railcar skirts for automotive transport protection

Abstract

A task force was formed to study and recommend ways to prevent automobile paint damage from iron dust particles while automobiles are transported by rail. The task force identified several ways to prevent the intrusion of the iron dust particles by sealing the autorack cars or by constructing air flow barriers. Building upon this research, Burlington Northern Railroad's (BN's) Research and Development Department has identified and measured the source of iron dust contamination along its roadbeds. BN also developed specific means to contain or eliminate the particles. The BN design uses magnetic skirts mounted at the outboard sides of the trucks at both ends of autorack cars. The magnetic skirts attract the the iron dust particles and prevent many from rising from the track. Some vulcanized rubber stripping is also applied to seal airgaps at specific locations on autorack test cars. A prototype autorack car equipped with magnetic skirts has been tested in regular automotive train service since July 1991. The test results demonstrate that the skirts are very effective.<>