Braking Problems - Feasibility study on the replacement of cast iron blocks with L blocks (additional block brake on coaches)

The avoidance of noise is an increasingly significant issue for all the railways in Europe. One of the chief ways of achieving this is to replace the cast iron brake blocks which presently predominate with composite products. For new-build wagons, this retrofitting process has already begun, whilst for existing wagons preparations are underway. Rolling noise can also be significantly reduced, however, on disc-braked coaches with an additional cast iron block brake, if the cast iron block is replaced by one made of composite materials. This feasibility study estimates the anticipated noise reduction and of the necessary preparations and accompanying measures.