Sketch of energy absorbing safety link.
Assessment of Safety Links
The HSE document TN3 makes the use of safety chains or links between a locomotive and tender mandatory and our client asked us to review their proposed design solution and make recommendations as appropriate. We first established the worst case operational scenario and then used computer modelling to establish the loads generated in the safety link system. Not only was the safety link system analysed in detail but a structural analysis of the mounting points and load paths into the locomotive and tender framing was also undertaken. The results of our study were presented to our client in the form of a report with recommendations for implementation.