Wheel Rail Interface Conference 2025 To Be Held in Kansas City, Mo.
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
ATLANTA –– It has been our pleasure to be the presenting sponsor of the Heavy Haul portion of the Wheel-Rail Interaction Conference for the past two years.
There is much to say about the quality of this event, as well as that of the people who plan and execute each year’s gathering. Moreover, the relevance of the research presented at the conference is strong and engineers can often take what they’ve learned at the conference and apply it to their own railroad.
Indeed, Gary Wolf, a prominent rail engineer and derailment investigator, says “The WRI [conference] provides a unique opportunity to learn from world class experts, many of [whom] have spent their careers out on the track and between the gage. There is no concept more important to railroad success than good management of the wheel rail interface. The tiny contact patch between wheel and rail is where fuel is consumed, rail wear occurs, and wheel wear occurs. It is also where derailments can originate. Yet very few railroaders understand wheel rail interaction issues. The WRI is ideal for both young railroaders new to the industry and seasoned executives who want to increase their understanding of this important topic.”
Wheel Rail Seminars recently released a press statement that tells us more about the upcoming conferences. “Wheel Rail Seminars is preparing to host its 30th annual Wheel/Rail Interaction [Heavy Haul] conference in Kansas City, Missouri. Throughout its 30-year history, WRI, the first and only conference dedicated specifically to wheel/rail interaction, has focused on the way this interaction affects the entire system, from rail, to wheel, to vehicle dynamics, and beyond. This year, for the first time, the WRI conference will be split into two separate conferences: one dedicated to Heavy Haul (June 10-12, Kansas City, Mo.) and one dedicated to Rail Transit (August 26-28, Seattle, Wash.).
“As in previous years, the opening day of the Heavy Haul conference will cover the ‘Principles’ or fundamentals of core topics like wheel/rail interaction, truck and suspension components, and various track inspection technologies. This one-day seminar, of which the National University Rail Center for Excellence is the presenting sponsor, enables attendees from different fields, as well as those new to the industry, to approach the presentations on days two and three with a common understanding and vocabulary.
“Following Principles, the Heavy Haul conference, sponsored by Railway Track and Structrures, and hosted locally by Canadian Pacific Kansas City, covers a range of projects and studies; some of which are ongoing, some of which have concluded, and some which are transitioning into a new phase. Many presentations will bring new insights into subjects familiar to past WRI attendees, such as:
- “Analysis of L/V ratios and their effects on wheel/rail and vehicle/track interaction
- Performance and efficacy of total friction management programs
- How CPKC is leveraging track geometry data collected as part of an automated track inspection program (ATIP)
- The efficacy and benefits of automated train inspection technologies
- Mitigating derailment risks on special trackwork like switches and guard rails
“There are also presentations covering topics that may be less familiar to past attendees. For example, both CN and CPKC will give presentations on analysis and optimization of train marshalling—practices that can improve operational reliability and reduce risk. The agenda also includes forward-looking presentations, such as one focusing on the interplay between train control, energy, and automation (aka the TEA Nexus), which will examine the cost and efficiency benefits that can result from the use of automatic train control, adoption of electrification/fuel cell power, and the widespread use of self-propelled autonomous rail cars (SPARCs).
“Throughout the conference, attendees will also have the opportunity to break into smaller groups to attend WRI’s InfoZones where companies working in the wheel/rail interaction space will showcase some of the state-of-the-art technologies and solutions they’ve brought to market.
“In addition, the WRI conference has always built in ample time for attendees to interact, ask questions, and make connections. “We’re all about connecting the departmental silos and bringing people together to talk about the issues and practical ways to address the vehicle/track-related problems that the rail freight industry is facing,” said WRI Founder Gordon Bachinsky.”
For more information, contact Brandon Koenig
847-808-1818
And visit the conference website: https://wri2025hh.wheel-rail-seminars.com/
