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The Conferences of the IHHA
The normal schedule of conferences and specialist technical sessions is as follows:
International Conferences -- every four years. These conferences will be hosted by one of the members in their country and will incorporate a program that includes the full spectrum of heavy haul subjects. Technical tours are scheduled before and after the meetings. Normally the conference and tours will cover a period of five days.
Specialist Technical Session (STS) - every four years and scheduled to fall in between the International Conferences (two years before and after). These are smaller conferences focused on critical issues of heavy haul operations. For example, in 1999 in Moscow, Russia a STS meeting was held on the subject of Wheel/Rail Issues of heavy haul railroads.
Future IHHA Conferences 2011- Calgary, Canada - "Railroading in Extreme Environments"
This will be an IHHA Specialist Technical Session (STS)
Past IHHA Conferences
2009 - China 9th International Heavy Haul Conference - "Heavy Haul and Innovation Developments" View Conference Proceedings In 2009, the Ministry of the Railway of the People's Republic of China hosted the Ninth International Heavy Haul Association Conference. The conference was held in Shanghai, China from June 22-25 of the same year. The conference focused on "Heavy Haul and Innovation Development," and carried out subject discussions on heavy haul transport and economy development, heavy haul locomotive technology, heavy haul vehicle technology, heavy haul train control and communication technology, heavy haul transport organization and management technology, heavy haul cab signaling technology, electrification technology for heavy haul lines, enviornmental protection of heavy haul, heavy haul train simulating calculation and testing, maintenance and engineering technology for heavy haul track. The conference reflected the latest development of international heavy haul technology and is marked as an important achievement of this event. 2005 - Brazil 8th International Conference - "Heavy Haul: Safety, Environment, and Productivity" View Future of Heavy Haul Research The 8th International Heavy Haul Conference was held in Brazil in 2005 on June 14th, 15th,and 16th and was hosted by the Companhia Vale Do Rio Doce (CVRD). This was the first IHHA conference held in South America. The heavy haul rail operations in South America have been growing significantly in recent years and this conference was of interest to those involved in the heavy haul industry.
May 2003-Ft. Worth, Texas.
This was a Specialist Technical Session (STS). The focus of the meetings was on " Enhancing System Reliability" and " Network Capacity for Heavy Haul". The host IHHA member will be the Transportation Technology Center(AAR) and the BNSF will be the co-host railroad.
2001 Conference - “Confronting the barriers of Heavy Haul Technology”
View Conference Report
The 2001 Conference, Confronting the Barriers of Heavy Haul Technology was held in Brisbane, Australia on June 10 through 14th, 2001 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Cenre. The IHHA host member was the QR( Queensland Rail). The host member director was Mr. Brian Bock, Group General Manager Workshops, QR. This technical conference was held in combination with the AusRail 2001 biennial business conference of the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and the Railway Technical Society of Australasia (RTSA).
1999 Conference - “Wheel/Rail Interface”
View Conference Report or View Conference Proceeding
The 1999 STS Conference, Wheel/Rail Interface, was held in Moscow, Russia on June 14 through 17th, 1999. The IHHA host member was the All Russian Railway Research Institute, a Department of the Ministry of Railway Transport of the Russian Federation. The subject of this Specialist Technical Session (STS) meeting was to merge the best state-of-the-art technical knowledge with practical consideration to guide the selection of materials, design criteria and maintenance practices for optimal selection of wheel and rail systems matched to varied heavy haul services and operating conditions.
1997 Conference - “Strategies Beyond 2000”
View Conference Report or View Conference Proceeding
The 1997 International Conference, STRATEGIES BEYOND 2000 was held in Cape Town, South Africa on April 6 through 10th, 1997. The IHHA host member was SPOORNET. The Conference Manager and Chairman of the Organizing Committee was Mr. Danie J. van Zijl, Executive Manager of Metrorail. The conference aim was to bring together railway business, technical and operational managers, as well as process and hardware suppliers to review past performance, analyze present practices and project future strategies.
1996 STS Conference - “Running Heavy-Running Fast into the 21st Century”
View Conference Report
The 1996 STS-Conference Running Heavy-Running Fast into the 21st Century was held in Montreal, Canada at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel on June 9th to 12th , 1996. The IHHA host member was the Railway Association of Canada (RAC). The subject of this Specialist Technical Session (STS) meeting was Freight Car Trucks/Bogies in Heavy Haul Service.
1994 Annual Board Meeting
The Annual Board meeting was held June 4-5 at the Red Lion Hotel in Omaha, Nebraska preceding the Mini-Conference “Rolling Asset Management”.
1994 Mini-Conference - “Rolling Asset Management”
View Conference Proceeding
The 1994 Mini-Conference “Rolling Asset management” held at the Red Lion Hotel in Omaha, Nebraska June 5-8 was jointly sponsored by the AAR, ASME and RPI. One-half day was devoted to joining with the ASME in dedication of Union Pacific Railroad heritage locomotives in Kenefick Park -the Big Boy articulated steam engine and the 8-axle Centennial diesel-electric locomotive - then on to inspect the UP facilities: Harriman dispatch centre, research and test centre and the railway museum. The Conference was followed by two tours. The first day was to the Burlington Northern Railroad “Havelock” freight car repair and wheel shops and then to the nearby CAE Vanguard plant where axles are re-sized and/or reconditioned. The second day consisted of a special train trip from Omaha to Hastings, NE and return to view line changes, modern track construction, new style high speed turnouts, high density traffic and signalling.
Fifth Conference - “Efficiency and Safety Within the Heavy Haul Field of Operation”
The Fifth Conference on “Efficiency and Safety Within the Heavy Haul Fields of Operation” was held June 6-11 1993 at the Great Wall Hotel in Beijing, Peoples Republic of China. During the Conference one-half day was devoted to a tour of the laboratories and test track loop of the Peoples Republic of China Academy of Railway Sciences. In addition there was a two-day post Conference technical train tour from Beijing to the Port of Qinhuangdao and return to view the coal hauling and unloading operation on the newly completed eastern segment of the new heavy haul line from the coal fields at Datong to the Yellow Sea.
1993 Annual Board Meeting
The Annual Board meeting was held June 5-6 1993 preceding the fifth Conference at the Sheraton Hotel in Beijing, Peoples Republic of China.
Fourth Workshop - “Maintenance and Upgrading Bridges”
The Fourth workshop on “Maintenance and Upgrading Bridges” was held June 1-3 1002 at the Royal Swazi Sun Convention Centre, Ezulwini Valley, Swaziland. Three post Conference tours were then conducted; two to bridges in South Africa and one in Zimbabwe.
1992 Annual Board Meeting
The Annual Board meeting was held May 31-June 3 1992 at the Royal Swazi Sun Convention Centre, Ezulwini Valley, Swaziland.
Third Workshop - “Maintenance of Way and Train Operations - Balancing the Conflicts”
A joint IHHA/TRB workshop on “Maintenance of Way and Train Operations - Balancing the Conflicts” was held June 9-12 1991 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Post Conference tours were made to the BCR and CNR in the Prince Rupert region by one group and another group paralleled CP Rail to Calgary to inspect the MacDonald tunnel project and many other interesting engineering feats en route.
1991 Annual Board Meeting
The Annual Board meeting was held June 8-9 1991 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver, BC, Canada. A review of future meeting needs was made and it was agreed that a subject would be targeted at the 1992 Board Meeting to establish the second treatise to follow the wheel/rail subject presently underway.
Wheel/Rail Treatise
The IHHA arranged an Organisational meeting of experts in the field of wheel/rail wear at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver, BC on June 5-7 1991. The mission of this group was to define recommended practices on the control of wheel/rail wear. The results of their work will be a hard cover reference book on the subject that will be made available to the heavy haul industry and its suppliers. This will be the first book of a series to be sponsored by the IHHA on key heavy haul problem areas.
1990 Annual Board Meeting
The Annual Board meeting was held October 18-19 1990 at the Holiday Inn, Pueblo, Colorado, United States of America, subsequent to the Second Workshop. The primary output was to organise a group of experts to develop a reference treatise on wheel/rail wear.
Second Workshop - “Heavy Axle Loads”
A joint IHHA/AAR workshop on “Heavy Axle Loads” was held October 14-17 1990 at the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Centre in Pueblo, Colorado, United States of America. This included a one-half day inspection of the track and equipment used by the AAR at the nearby Transportation Test Centre. In addition to the AAR update of experiences with the 125 ton cars at the 160 MGT level there were papers from Mt Newman Mining of Australia and UIC in regard to heavy axle loads.
1989 Letter Ballot Item - Membership
Correspondence from the Brazilian railways indicated that they did indeed wish to further explore membership with an IHHA representative in Brazil. Since the Executive Director had a conflict in his schedule, the Chairman sent a letter ballot to the directors seeking approval to hire Dr Harris to service as consultant and representative and meet with the Brazilians. The ballot was unanimously approved and Dr Harris made the trip in early 1990. He reported favourably toward accepting the Brazilian railways. The Brazilian railways advised that they would have to form an organisation to represent them inasmuch as there were both public and private railways involved similar to Australia.
Unfortunately, subsequent attempts to contact the Brazilian group during 1990 were to no avail and no application for membership has been forthcoming. Their country is beleaguered with runaway inflation and the government is in the process of reorganising its transportation divisions.
Fourth Conference - “Railways In Action”
The Fourth Conference on “Railways In Action” was conducted at the Sheraton-Brisbane Hotel on September 11-15 1989. In addition to the plenary sessions offered in the past there were a number of breakout specialists technical sessions plus both indoor and outdoor exhibits by suppliers. The Conference was an outstanding success with 502 delegates and 207 spouses.
1989 Annual Board Meeting
The Board held its annual meeting at the Sheraton-Brisbane Hotel at Brisbane, Australia on September 9-10 1989 in conjunction with the subsequent Fourth Conference. Future plans for workshops and conferences were reviewed and updated to be current with the economic needs of the heavy haul railways.
The Board agreed to reduce the annual dues from US$ 5 500 to 5 000, effective in 1990.
During the Conference the Chairman was approached by a delegation from Brazil seeking to talk about membership. He therefore convened a supplementary Board meeting to hear the Brazilians. It was agreed that the IHHA would send a representative to Brazil later in the year to meet with them, inspect their operation and discuss the matter in more detail.
1988 Supplemental Board Meeting
A supplemental Board meeting was held November 9, 1988 on the post Conference train tour to Hong Kong at the request of Chairman Harris in regard to concerns about IHHA involvement in activities outside of Conferences and workshops that did not relate to technical tours. This resulted in a clarification of policy plus the beginning of investigation as to liability protection.
First Workshop
IHHA ‘s first workshop was held October 31 to November 1, 1988 at the Friendship Hotel in Beijing, Peoples Republic of China. The subject matter related to Air Brakes for Heavy Haul Trains. There were 69 delegates in attendance. During the workshop one-half day was devoted to a tour of the Peoples Republic of China Academy of Railway Sciences laboratories and the test track loop. Subsequent to the workshop there was a two day train tour to Datong and return to view the coal loading and yarding operations at Datong and view the coal train operation en route.
1988 Annual Board Meeting
The Board held its annual meeting October 29-30 1988 at the Friendship Hotel in Beijing, Peoples Republic of China in conjunction with the first IHHA sponsored workshop on Air Braking.
1987 Annual Board Meeting
The Board held its annual meeting September 11-12 at the Merlin Hotel in Perth, Australia.
At the 1986 meeting the Board had authorised the Executive Director to visit all member countries in the Spring of 1987 to carry forward the program of international exchange of technical information regarding heavy haul railways and to determine the needs and concerns of each group. The Executive Director made a report to the Board in regard to this trip including an outline of items that each of the groups deemed the IHHA should consider for future action.
The Board then spent considerable time in drawing up plans for different types of workshops to be held in the years between the major conferences.
It was agreed that the IHHA should not get involved in workshops or conferences of a general nature on the one hand or of a very specific technical nature on the other (such as wheels) but that it could collaborate with other organisations on such meetings where it was deemed mutually beneficial.
The Board again reviewed the provisional By-Laws and made a few more changes before accepting them as the permanent By-Laws of the organisation.
Subsequent to the annual meeting the Board stayed on to participate in a Conference sponsored by the Institution of Engineers entitled “Productivity - What Can an Engineer Contribute?”
Fourth Conference - Venue Change
In February, 1987 the Board, by letter ballot regretfully cancelled the Swaziland site and accepted the Australian offer to hold the fourth conference at Brisbane in September, 1989. The Board recognised that the organisers of the Swaziland Conference had, in good faith expended time and monies, and because the site was changed for reasons beyond their control they were duly compensated.
Third Conference - “Profitability Through Technology and Operating Efficiency”
The Third Conference was held October 13-17 1986 at the Hyatt Hotel in Vancouver, BC, Canada. It was a most successful meeting and attracted 467 delegates world-wide. Early arrivals were able to take in the closing week of the Vancouver world’s Fair. During the Conference there was a technical tour to the Roberts Banks coal terminal, which handles export coal for both the CPR and BN. Following the Conference there were two post Conference technical tours. One was a trip to Prince George to make a rail liner trip over the new British Columbia Railroad heavy haul electrified line to the mine at Tumbler Ridge. The other was a train trip up the Fraser River canyon via CNR and CPR to view heavy haul train operations and view the construction of both these railroads.
1986 Board Meeting
This meeting was held in Vancouver, BC, at the Four Seasons Hotel on October 11 and 13, 1986, in conjunction with the Third Conference. The following were elected officers:
Chairman Dr W J Harris, AAR
Vice Chairman Mr Peter Detmold, RAC
Executive Director)
Secretary-Treasurer) Mr John G German, United States of America
By-Laws were provisionally adopted until they could be reviewed more completely and given final approval by the member organizations.
After extended discussion, the Directors agreed to consult in their respective countries regarding the location of the Fourth Conference. Concern was expressed that many countries and many companies would prohibit attendance by their employees in Swaziland. The Directors were reminded that Swaziland is an independent country that is a member of the British Commonwealth and the United Nations. They were also reminded of the importance of geographical distribution of the conferences and the value of such distribution to young engineers and supervisors who could not otherwise attend. The Board also heard strong expressions as to the importance of assuring the attendance of delegates from member countries at all meetings sponsored by the IHHA in whatever country they are held. However, in view of the threat to a successful conference, reconfirmation of Swaziland as a site was requested with answers to be received not later than February, 1987. In the meanwhile, Australia extended an invitation to host the Fourth Conference in Brisbane, Australia, if necessary.
By now the IHHA was becoming more financially stable and the Board authorised expenses up to US$50 000 for 1987. It further agreed to continued the dues at US$5 000 per member except that the (AAR) was excused from dues for 1987 for its part in voluntarily paying additional monies during 1985 and 1986. The Board authorised a letter of appreciation to the AAR for its support and management of the IHHA until the IHHA became a separate corporation in September 1986.
Because of the separation from AAR management after incorporation, the Board then negotiated an agreement for Mr German to service as Executive Director/Secretary-Treasurer under the authorised budget for 1987. The Board encouraged the Chairman and Executive Director to increase the membership of the IHHA. It specifically noted the importance of invitations to Brazil, Liberia and Sweden in view of their active participation in the Third Conference. The Board reviewed the provisional By-Laws and made some changes to make them more pertinent to the needs of the IHHA.
Incorporation
After careful consideration of location and governing regulations concerning incorporation, the Executive Director received approval to finalise this step. The IHHA was duly registered and incorporated under the laws of the State of Missouri on September 19 1986. These Articles of Incorporation listed six directors; two from Australia and one each from Canada, Peoples Republic of China, South Africa and United States.
1985 Board Meeting
This meeting was held April 29-30 1985 at the Hyatt Hotel in Vancouver, BC, Canada (site of the proposed Third Conference). Representatives were in attendance from Australia, Canada, China, South Africa and the United States of America.
Several key members of the Third Conference steering committee reported on the program and other details. Recommendations were made in regard to fees and other arrangements. C$15,000 was advanced to the Steering Committee for initial financial support. (These monies were duly repaid at the conclusion of the conference).
An invitation was presented by the Peoples Republic of China to organise a workshop in Beijing on braking for heavy haul railroad operations and to host an international conference on heavy haul. An invitation was presented from Swaziland to host an international conference in heavy haul. After extended discussion, the IHHA accepted the following invitations:
1988 Beijing Workshop on braking for heavy haul operations.
1898 Swaziland Fourth International Heavy Haul Conference.
1992 Beijing Fifth International Heavy Haul Conference.
An interval shorter than four years between 1986 and 1989 and between 1989 and 1992 was considered appropriate for the conferences. In the past it had taken one year to determine the location and three more years to plan such conferences. Now, it would be possible to begin planning without the uncertainty of having to first establish the locations. Further, the rate of technological development appeared to warrant discussions at three years rather than four.
Provisional By-Laws were accepted and the Executive Director was directed to arrange for incorporation.
1984 Board Meeting
This meeting was held in July 1984 at the AAR Headquarters in Washington, DC, USA, with Australia, Canada, China, South Africa and the United States of America being represented.
Mr Peter Detmold, Director from Canada and Third conference co-chairman (with Mr German) reviewed the status of planning for the conference scheduled for 1986.
There were additional discussions on the role of IHHA. It was agreed that it should become an active organisation to explore the possibility of workshops and conferences and, working through its Board and Executive Director, to stimulate the exchange of technical information and heavy haul operations.
It was further agreed to establish annual dues for member countries at US$5,000 each. A budget of US$40,000 was adopted, with the AAR making up the difference of US$15,000 in the first year or two. Plans were made to establish provisional By-Laws and prepare for incorporation.
1983 Board Meeting
By early 1983 the members of the coalition had concluded that there would be a continuing demand for an exchange of knowledge in the design, construction and operation of heavy haul railroads and therefore a need for a more formally structured organisation.
The first Board meeting was held July 21-22 1983 at the AAR Headquarters in Washington, DC, USA, with delegates representing Australia, Canada, Liberia, Mauritania, the Peoples Republic of China, Sweden, the Republic of South Africa and the United States of America. At that meeting Dr W J Harris was elected Chairman and Mr John G German was elected Vice Chairman and Executive Director.
It was agreed that the membership would be represented by six directors; however, there would only be five votes. Australia would have two directors, one each for the Railways of Australia (public sector) and the Iron Ore Railways (private sector) respectively. Canada (Railway Association of Canada), China (China Railway Society), South Africa (South African Transport Services) and United States (AAR) would each have one.
In their planning for a future conference, the IHHA had received invitations from both South Africa and Canada. After extended discussion, the invitation from Canada was accepted. In addition there was a review of the technical issues of concern to heavy haul railways and the role of the IHHA in handling those issues.
Second Conference - “Heavy Haul Railways”
The second conference on “Heavy Haul Railways” was held September 25 - 29 1982 at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, CO, USA, in conjunction with the Federal Railway Administration, Railway Progress Institute, American Railway Engineering Association and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Despite the business recession it had a turnout of 420 delegates and 37 spouses.
Following the Conference there was a tour of the nearby US Department of Transportation (DOT) Transportation Test Center northeast of Pueblo, Colorado. In addition to the stationary vibration test stand and the roller dynamic test stand for both locomotives and cars there were several test track loops. The most notable loop was the 4.8 mile FAST loop (Facility for Accelerated Service Testing) used to operate an 80 car loaded unit train at speeds up to 40 mph. Each car carried a nominal net load of 100 tons. The purpose of FAST was primarily to test the behaviour of infrastructure and track structure under various punishing service conditions.
At the last session of the Second Conference, the delegates adopted a resolution calling for the establishment of the International Heavy Haul Association and requested Dr W J Harris, Vice President, Research and Test of the AAR to convene a group of delegates from interested countries to discuss heavy haul matters.
First Conference
The first conference was held September 18 - 22 1978 at the Sheraton Hotel in Perth, Australia and deemed an immediate success. It was organised by the Institution of Engineers, Australia and the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy on behalf of Cliff Robe River Iron Associates, Goldsworthy Mining Ltd, Hammersley Iron Pty Ltd, Mount Newman Mining Co Pty Ltd and Westrail. It drew more than 400 delegates. Before this conference drew to a close a group of railway organisations from different countries agreed to an informal coalition to promote additional conferences every four years. The Association of American Railroads (AAR) was requested to sponsor the next Conference.
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