Timken® TracGlide® is an intelligent, on-board friction management system that applies an innovative friction modifier to the top of rails. This unique thin liquid is environmentally friendly. The friction modifier is applied to the top of both rails after the last axle on the locomotive. It contains no solids and dissipates as the train passes with no buildup left behind on the rails.

• Provides energy savings up to 7%
• Reduces lateral curving force up to 40%
• Increases overall productivity by up to 5%
• Reduces rail maintenance costs by up to 5%

Design Attributes 

• System constantly calculates
  the correct amount of friction modifier to dispense for maximum efficiency of train operation.
• Friction modifier is effective even in low-temperature operation, with a pour point of -45º F.
• Friction modifier reduces the lateral force on the rail and the flange, reducing wear.
• Reduction of shocks in pulling the train also means less locomotive drivetrain fatigue and rail fatigue.
• Timken® TracGlide® comes with Timken service engineering support, including:
  • Customized manuals
  • Assistance during installation
  • Training
  • Performance tracking reports

Here's how Timken® TracGlide® works:

An on-board computer constantly gathers data from sensors that determine locomotive position and orientation in the consist, train speed, track curvature and other factors. The computer calculates the correct amount of friction modifier to dispense to make train operation most efficient.

A hydraulics panel controls flow of the friction modifier from nozzles located behind the last locomotive axle. The friction modifier is applied to the top of both rails.

By constantly adjusting the amount of friction modifier being dispensed, the system optimizes the reduction of tractive force needed for every speed, direction and angle of motion.