Course content

An introduction course to railway track engineering covering the following topics:

• Track alignment,
• Track geometric design,
• Track superstructure,
• Track substructure - ballast, formation and drainage,
• Track forces and track design,
• Continuously welded track,
• Railway sounds and vibration,
• Wheel-rail guidance and derailment,
• Structural gauge,
• Switches and crossings,
• Railway catenary system,
• Track maintenance.

Learning outcome

Upon completion of the course

Knowledge

The candidate should:

• have fundamental knowledge in track alignment and geometry design.
• have basic knowledge of components and its functionality in railway superstructure and substructure, catenary system and switches and crossings.
• have fundamental knowledge in designing a well functional and sustainable railway infrastructure
• understand how rolling stocks interact with track
• have basic knowledge about railway track maintenance

Skills

The candidate should be able to:

• apply correct railway track alignment.
• design railway track geometry.
• select correct components for track superstructure, substructure and catenary system.
• select and calculate structural gauge of railway infrastructure.
• calculate and design a stable railway track in all 3 directions, longitudinally, vertically and laterally.
• ensure stable wheel-rail interaction and predict derailment risk.

General competence

The candidate should be able to:

• apply railway track engineering knowledge with confident
• communicate with professional railway terminology independently
• apply railway engineering in research and development as well as relevant advanced assignments.
• contribute to railway engineering field both locally and internationally.

Learning methods and activities

Physical lectures + site visit

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Course materials

1. A. Lau, J. Hjortland, M. Malvik; Railway Engineering, Basic Course, compendium (English), NTNU, Trondheim.
2. Book Chapters and published articles