Railways in extreme environments: Best practices in hot, cold, dry, and wet conditions

Recommendations and solutions

Railway bearings are constantly pushed to their limits by extreme temperatures, humidity, and environmental contaminants. Understanding how these factors impact performance is key to long-term reliability.

In two webinar sessions SKF railway technical expert Jan Babka explains how extreme environments impact Railway bearings and how to mitigate some of the risks.

The challenges railway bearings face in extreme weather and man-made conditions.
How temperature extremes impact lubrication and bearing lifespan.
Strategies for optimizing bearing performance and reducing maintenance costs.

In Part 1 (30 minutes) of the webinar, Jan Babka discussed challenges such as condensation, wetness, and dampness, which can arise from saltwater and washdowns, loads, speed, and inactivity as part of demanding conditions.

In Part 2 (16 minutes) of the webinar, Jan Babka focused on ambient temperature, both hot and cold, and how it impacts bearing reliability.

Railways don’t stop for extreme weather – and neither should your bearings.

Watch the full webinar Part 1 and Part 2 now and gain insights into best practices for reliable railway operations.

Webinar Part 1
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Railvolutionary Webinar about challenges of wet and dry environment

Webinar Part 2
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Managing temperature extremes

Fluctuations in heat and cold impact lubrication and bearing lifespan. Selecting the right grease and monitoring viscosity changes are crucial for performance.

Protecting against contamination

Dust, moisture, and debris accelerate wear. Proper sealing solutions and proactive maintenance help prevent premature failures.

Optimizing bearings for harsh conditions

Inboard applications and high-speed rail introduce additional challenges. Close collaboration between rail operators and bearing engineers ensures the best solutions for long-term reliability.

Extending service life

Controlled maintenance, correct lubrication selection, and advanced bearing technologies help maximize uptime and reduce unplanned stoppages.

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