Railway engineering

Cars have a steering wheel that changes their direction, but what about trains? Trains have no steering wheels; instead, they rely on turnouts and crossovers for directional changes. Railway crossings serve the same function as highway junctions, making trains cross at a point in different directions. Generally, the type of turnouts and crossings can be … Read more

Fastenings: Securing the Rails Fastenings are crucial in securing the rails to the sleepers or ties. They include a variety of components such as clips, bolts, screws, and plates.  Their function is to transfer the loads from the rails to the sleepers and further to the track’s substructure, to maintain the gauge, and to prevent … Read more

Geometric design practices for railways and highways share fundamental principles but differ significantly in execution due to operational requirements and vehicle dynamics.  The difference in operational characteristics and vehicle dynamics results in significantly different geometric constraints. Railways require gentler curves and more restrictive gradients due to the physics of steel wheels on steel rail systems … Read more

The rhythmic clack-clack of train wheels passing over rail joints – a sound that’s becoming increasingly rare in modern railways. This nostalgic symphony is created by fish plates, crucial components of traditional rail infrastructure that are gradually disappearing from our tracks with the advent of long welded rails. While the term “fish plate” might evoke … Read more

The railway pantograph, a crucial component of electric train systems, has been powering locomotives for over a century. This ingenious device collects electricity from overhead wires and transfers it to the train’s propulsion and auxiliary systems. History of the Pantograph The pantograph’s journey began in the late 19th century. In 1889, Walter Reichel of Siemens … Read more

Ever wonder how freight cars are safely slowed down and sorted in bustling railway yards? A reel on Facebook went viral for a video of this railway equipment. Enter the Joule Piston or Hydraulic Retarder, an ingenious device that plays a crucial role in managing train speeds and ensuring smooth operations. Let’s explore how these … Read more

The rhythmic clickety-clack of train wheels passing over rail joints has long been an iconic sound of rail travel. However, modern railway engineering has been steadily working to eliminate this familiar sound by implementing long-welded rail (LWR) technology. This innovative approach to track construction has revolutionized railway infrastructure, offering improved safety, reduced maintenance costs, and … Read more

ERTMS, the European Railway Traffic Management System, serves as a transformative force in the landscape of rail transportation. Comprising the European Train Control System (ETCS) and the Global System for Mobile Communications – Railway (GSM-R), ERTMS is designed to modernize and standardize rail safety and efficiency. In this blog post, we will explore the components … Read more