Infrastructure for tilting trains

Work was launched in early 1999 as part of a UIC study on reducing journey times on conventional lines. Following initial discussions, it was decided that the rules governing infrastructure for tilting trains would be harmonised on a documentary basis.

The project partners involved comprised not only railways already with tilting trains in operation but also ones which had plans to introduce tilting trains in the future.

Two significant results were produced: a list of essential parameters to be taken on board and the establishment of limit values. A list of parameters not affected by tilt was also drawn up.

For the sake of clarity, the IRS also contains some explanations on basic technical subjects such as the impact of tilting trains on wheel/rail interaction. A table has been appended to the IRS summarising all the rules adopted by the railway companies that were members of the working party. The table is therefore the starting point for the work carried out.

The most important considerations are the range of definitions (basic parameters such as maximum and minimum speeds, axle loads, track layout, cant deficiency to be applied, etc.), kinematics, track equipment and track geometrical quality, interface parameters track/train, etc.

Maintenance-related topics were not covered by the work. Some railways have advocated carrying out studies with a view to determining speed increases that could be achieved by running tiltingvehicles on high-speed lines.

The IRS 70705 Infrastructure for tilting trains, formerly UIC Leaflet 705, includes an updated Appendix A: Summary table with new information provided by the UIC TEG (Track Experts Group) in 2020.