The GBS Group stays on top of our industry news and discoveries. We are proud that our engineers have authored technical papers published by leading industry organizations. GBS believes in continuous learning - and teaching. To that end, we’re glad to share our work with you.

When Reliability Matters Most
Learn more about the methodoligies and disciplines GBS uses in the field to support client needs here ...>

Root Cause Analysis: Replacing Anecdotes with Evidence
This provides a look at how a Root Cause Analysis helped one passenger rail operator improve asset availability. See here.

Leading the Way in Rolling Stock Reliability
This shows how a switch to Reliability Centered Maintenance replaced the long-standing time based COT&S overhauls and won FRA approval. See here.

Partially as a result of the HHP-8 Power Module RCA project, and the implemented recommendations, the availability of the HHP-8 locomotive fleet has improved by 80%. Changes were made to the maintenance, condition monitoring, and troubleshooting procedures for HHP-8 as a result of the RCA project. The physical, human, and latent root causes for the high failure rate of HHP-8 Power Modules, were determined and addressed during this six month effort. A cross-functional team of AMTRAK personnel worked closely with reliability consultants and the original equipment manufacturers to determine the various root causes. This case study is a valuable example of how the hands-on nature of a rigorous RCA coupled with the methodology of RCM can result in significant improvements to reliability and availability.

This paper was published in conjunction with the 2008 Rail Transportation Division Fall Technical Conference; proceedings of this conference are available from ASME’s Digital Store. If you’d like to learn more about the work GBS is doing in this field, please contact The GBS Group by e-mailing Andrea Bear.

This paper presents a real-world application of Root Cause Analysis methods that were applied to analyze and resolve a side door problem that was occurring on a particular fleet of coach cars operated by Amtrak. The foundation of a Root Cause Analysis program is a disciplined engineering process designed to identify physical, human and latent roots of chronic or sporadic problems. This paper presents the engineering challenges encountered while conducting root cause analysis of a complex coach car side doors problem.

The coach car side doors system exhibited undesirable characteristics when in service. Mechanical staff received multiple reports that during station stops all of the open side doors would unexpectedly close even though the train speed was at zero. During this unexpected side door closing sequence all of the obstacle detection systems were disabled presenting a potential hazard to the traveling public.

The side doors Root Cause Analysis team found the Physical Root cause of failure to be located in the door system software code - a finding that was never suspected following years of trouble with the side doors. As a result of this finding, the door manufacturer corrected the software and issued revised software to be installed fleet-wide. The Human and Latent Root causes were addressed through the development of a standard operating procedure and training for conductors and crew on the proper operation of side doors. The Root Cause Analysis method proved to be a powerful and productive process for achieving a solution to a chronic passenger side door problem.

This paper was published in conjunction with the 2008 Rail Transportation Division Fall Technical Conference; proceedings of this conference are available from ASME’s Digital Store. If you’d like to learn more about the work GBS is doing in this field, please contact The GBS Group by e-mailing Andrea Bear.

This paper presents the technical approach taken to develop and implement a real-time health monitoring system to enable condition-based maintenance and remote health monitoring of two electric fleets operated by Amtrak. The monitoring devices and accompanying software, fault logic, rule sets, documentation manuals, and training forums assist mechanical maintenance crews, field service technicians, and onboard personnel to determine locomotive and consist train health and to take necessary maintenance actions as needed to maintain optimal equipment availability, reliability, and On Time Performance (OTP). This paper provides the status of that rollout and is designed to invite comment and discussion from others in the industry developing similar programs and processes to enable condition based maintenance.

This paper was published in conjunction with the 2008 ASME Rail Transportation Division Fall Technical Conference; proceedings of this conference are available from ASME’s Digital Store. If you woulk like to learn more about the work GBS is doing in this field, please contact The GBS Group by e-Mailing Andrea Bear.