Analysis of the possibility of the use of tough side bearers in the covered wagons design for the light-weight loads transportation

At the present time in Ukraine and CIS countries the volumes of transportation of utilized and light-weight packaged cargos have increased. Conditions for the transportation of these loads require the formation of a fleet of specialized covered wagons. Their development, production and tests are carried out in order to create and supply this type of wagons to the railways of Ukraine and other CIS countries. At the same time, insufficient purchases financing does not allow the formation of a corresponding fleet of wagons with new designs. Therefore there is a need to replenish the fleet with wagons taking into account the available wagon structures. Specialized covered cars having side bearings with gaps can be used as such structure. There is a need to fully investigate the functioning of the replacement of contact side bearings by side bearings with gaps in order to ensure the necessary level of running qualities of the mentioned cars. The results of such studies are presented in the article.