TSAVe

Track Structure Assessment Vehicle

Amtrak's Track Structure Assessment Vehicle is a self propelled track geometry survey vehicle with GRMS (Gauge Restraint Measuring System) capabilities as it's primary mission.

The digital readout monitors the health of the Detroit Diesel main propulsion engine as it pushes the Tsav along at the max authorized speed of 50 MPH. It is part of the two "driver's desks", one at each end of the machine. This allows the machine to be driven "foreward" in either direction. The automatic transmission has four speeds foreward and reverse.

Next to the driver console are monitors for track inspectors. They monitor the condition of their tracks as the tsav tests them.

The data is gathered from sensors and fed to computers all housed in an industrial compoents rack and instrumentation cabinet. The test director and editor sits in front of them and peruzes the information gathered, makes adjustments as necessary, and formulates reports. The test director is responsble for how the test goes and why.

The computers get their input from various sensors mounted on buggys such as this, and electronic gyroscopes. With complex algorithms the computers can sense variations in curvature, individual rail alignment and profiles, elevation(tilt) of the track, as well as differences in the gauge of the rails.

The machine is equipped with an instrumented wheelset on a split axle. the wheels are instrumented with numerous straingauges that actualy measure how mugh the full size railwheels flex during operation. they are calibrated to read in pounds of force outward against each rail. Load cells on the end of each axle constantly measure the loading on each wheel in pounds. The axle is split and the wheels can "float" toward and away from each other and are hydraulically loaded to 14,000 pounds of outward force against the rail. The distance between rails is compared to the same measurement taken by the small buggy. The difference in "loaded" and "unloaded" measurements gives maintenance engineers a measure of overall track strength and integrity.

The machine is a self contained work platform with potable water, a kitchen area, lavatory facilities, and a full workshop area for field repairs. Storage compartments inside and out allow for spare parts and maintenance consumables, as well as specialized maintenance tooling to be carried. the onboard crew of two or three technicians maintain and calibrate the vehicle and perform routine repairs themselves.

If you are interested in the equipment used for GRMS technology see.....