MEC5221 Railway engineering

The main subsystems for a functioning modern railway network such as the track system, the rolling stock, the power supply system, and the signal and control system will be described in this unit. It also covers the fundamental principles for planning and design of railway infrastructure. Various track geometry aspects and basic factors for track geometry and the selection of appropriate rolling stock will be explored based on international and national standards. Terminologies and new facts on track geometry and their relationship with train speed and rolling stock design will be introduced. It also covers the interaction between rail vehicles and infrastructure.

The types and components of rolling stock, dynamic interaction between a railway vehicle and a track system, and traffic loadings will be part of the discussions. Key issues and concepts relating to rolling stock design, maintenance and operations will be discussed. This unit also involves discussions on the fundamental wheel-rail interface engineering. Wheel and rail profiles from the point of vehicle guidance perspective and lateral instability will be discussed in this unit. Current developments in inspection and maintenance procedures for track and rolling stock components will be covered as part of this unit. The safety criterion of the railway vehicle against derailments and track instability will be discussed.