BNSF to test dual flange wheels on oil trains

[Wizlish]

I think your friend has partially misunderstood the BNSF approach.  As described to me by a Government official, the second set of 'outer' flanges is slightly less than 1.5" less in diameter than those in the gauge, so there will not be any issue with picking switches or other difficulty.  This is a fruitful example of cross-disciplinary thinking, in this case from the health-sciences field, he said.  What worked for Hahnemann also ought to work in other fields.  The hope is that at some perceived reduction of outside flange diameter, perhaps 6x to 9x, the self-restoring and other effects of flange action will still manifest themselves without any deleterious allopathic side effects.

There is apparently a parallel research effort in flange lubrication, using biodegradable and metatribological oleum serpente spp. derived from biorenewable sources.  Remarkable economies over traditional methods are anticipated.

[Boyd]

I live in a Twin Cities suburb and I have a friend who works for BNSF. With all of the worry of an oil train derailing, exploding and possibly making thousands of people evacuate. BNSF has ordered 10 of the new safer tank cars with special wheels on the that have flanges on the inside AND outside, side of the rail. He said they theorize that these new special wheels will better "hug" the rails and reduce "string lining". These cars will all be painted bright orange and will be placed just behind the buffer car that is federally mandated. These cars are scheduled to arrive in North Dakota around July 1st for their 1st trial run.