Static and Dynamic Instabilities of Bogie Railway Vehicles with Linkage Steered Wheelsets

The root loci of a type of bogie railway vehicle with linkage steered wheelsets are discussed and contrasted with those of conventional configurations. Approximate solutions of the equations of motion are used to derive stability criteria associated with the various modes of static and dynamic instability that are identified. The physical origin of each form of instability is discussed. It is shown that, in addition to the more common forms of dynamic instability arising from the joint action of creep, conicity and inertia, other forms of static and oscillatory instability are the result of structural asymmetry and wheelset articulation.