Question

What is coning of wheels?

(a) Provide smooth running of trains

(b) Prevent lateral movement of wheels

(c) Avoid excessive wear of inner faces of rail

(d) Provide smooth running of trains, prevent lateral movement of wheels and avoid excessive wear

I have been asked this question in an interview for internship.

This interesting question is from Dealing with Railways topic in portion P.W.D of Civil Engineering Drawing

Answer 1

Right choice is (d) Provide smooth running of trains, prevent lateral movement of wheels and avoid excessive wear

The explanation: The coning of wheels helps to keep the vehicle centrally aligned on a straight and level track also. Slight irregularities in the track do occur as a result of moving loads and the vagaries of the weather. The wheels, therefore, move from side to side and therefore the vehicles sway. Due to the coning of wheels, this side movement results in the tread circumference of one wheel increasing over the other. As both the wheels have to traverse the same distance, this causes one wheel to slide. Due to the resistance caused by the sliding, any further side movement is prevented.