Braking Questions - Exchangeability of the LL-blocks IB116* and C952-1 with cast iron blocks (type P10)

The whole procedure concerning the development of the LL- block is described in report B 126/RP 36, issued in 2009. Even though all requirements as defined in UIC Leaflet 541-4 have been fulfilled sufficiently, a final homologation of the System LL blocks was not possible due to some still open questions. However, it was decided to extend the preliminary homologation to large scale in-service tests. Based on this homologation the project EuropeTrain was designed as a train running in commercial service representing different vehicle types and brake equipment. The friction material selected for the equipment of the EuropeTrain (C952-1 and IB116*) was subject to the full test procedure according to UIC Leaflet 541-4 (4^th edition, December 2010). Both products sufficiently fulfilled all safety requirements as requested in the leaflet.

The results of these two reports permitted, at the beginning of 2013, the update of the “Usage guideline for LL-blocks” which describes the boundary conditions for the equipment and operation of vehicles fitted with LL brake blocks. This enabled the definition of the technical requirements for the complete approval of the LL brake block types ICER/Becorit IB116* and CoFren C952-1.

To achieve a considerable noise reduction in rail freight traffic, retrofitting of existing wagons with composite brake blocks is essential. The Usage guideline for composite (LL) brake blocks allows the exchangeability from cast iron P10 with the LL-blocks for standard freight wagons where it is allowed to calculate the braked mass conform to UIC Leaflet 544-1 without performing slip tests. This technical document shows if (and under which conditions) this is acceptable for Icer/Becorit IB116* and CoFren C952-1.