Bearing Operating Temperature and Vibration Calculator

This calculator utilizes models developed for two decades’ worth of temperature and vibration data acquired from Association of American Railroads (AAR) class F and K bearings run at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) laboratory testing facilities. The collected datasets come from class F and K bearings sourced from a few bearing manufacturers in North America that utilize different types and brands of grease to build their bearings and several types of seal configurations. Note that class F and K bearings represent about 90% of all railroad bearings in freight rail revenue service in North America.

Calculate Bearing Vibration Thresholds

Enter Train Operating Speed

[mph]- miles per hour

[kph]- kilometers per hour


Calculate Average Bearing Operating Temperature Above Ambient

Enter Train Operating Speed.

[mph]- miles per hour

[kph]- kilometers per hour

What is the bearing loading condition?

Loaded (Full Railcar): 34.4 kips or 153 kilonewtons (kN) per bearing

Unloaded (Empty Railcar): 5.85 kips or 26 kilonewtons (kN) per bearing

What is the bearing condition?