18-100 Key Technical Parameters
1.Axle Type & Axle Load
Axle Type: РУ1Ш (RU1Sh-950 axle, per Soviet standards).
Axle Load: Approx. 21–23.5 metric tons (varies by wagon type).
2.Gauge
Track Gauge: 1520 mm (Russian broad gauge).
3.Wheelset Specifications
Wheel Diameter: 950 mm (new), min. ~880 mm (worn).
Wheel Back-to-Back Distance: 1440 ± 3 mm (per GOST).
4.Suspension System
Primary Suspension: Coil springs (typically 8 springs per bogie).
Secondary Suspension: None (rigid bogie design, no bolster springs).
Damping: Some variants may include friction dampers.
5.Braking System
Brake Type: Lever-actuated cast-iron/composite brake shoes.
Brake Beam: Complies with GOST 12079-66.
6.Structural Features
Side Frames: Cast steel (similar to Barber bogie design).
Axlebox Guidance: Pedestal-type (originally plain bearings, later upgraded to roller bearings).
Weight: ~4.2–4.5 tons (depending on version).
7.Operational Parameters
Max. Speed: 80–100 km/h (depending on wagon type).
8.Common Applications: Used in gondola cars (e.g., Model 12-119), tank cars, and flatcars.
Variants & Modern Replacements
18-101: Upgraded with roller bearings (e.g., NUM-type bearings).
18-578: Lightweight design for higher axle loads.
Modern Alternatives: Gradually replaced by newer 23-XX series (e.g., 23-9587) in Russian freight fleets.
Comparative Analysis with Modern Bogies
| Parameter | 18-100 | Modern 23-9587 |
| Axle Load | 23.5 t max | 25 t |
| Suspension | Rigid (no secondary) | Swing bolster + rubber pads |
| Bearings | Plain/roller | Tapered roller (FAG/SNR) |
| Speed | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| MTBF | ~600,000 km | ~1.2 million km |
| Lateral acceleration | 0.25g | 0.15g |
| Wheel Wear Rate | 0.4 mm/10k km (dry climate) | 0.2 mm/10k km (optimized contact geometry) |
