Steel rails for high-speed trains

The construction of steel railways for high-speed trains, 300-350 km/h, represents one of the most demanding applications.

Mobility is essential to our modern way of life.

For short or medium-distance journeys, rail reduces travel time and CO2 emissions per passenger-kilometre compared to almost all other forms of transport.

Consequently, the rails must be more resistant to wear and reach higher standards of flatness to avoid surface defects that can ultimately lead to failures.

Rail transport uses steel for trains, tracks and infrastructure. Steel represents 15% of the mass of high-speed trains and is essential. The main steel components of these trains are used for the structure under the trains, including wheels, axles, bearings and engines. Freight wagons are made almost entirely of steel.

The first high-speed rail system, the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, began operating in Japan in 1964. It was known as the bullet train.

China has built almost 40,000 km of high-speed train lines in 15 years, more than the rest of the world has built in 55 years, and total investments have exceeded 1,000 billion dollars.

But what makes steel superior to other steels? The simplest answer is its unique composition.

Rails are steel products that must meet a multitude of technological requirements.

Steel railways – characteristics and innovations

The following characteristics summarize the objectives that the high-speed self must fulfill:

• safety;
• comfort;
• sustainability and cost efficiency;
• minimal acoustic impact.

Design innovations and the development of new high-strength steels have played a key role in improving the efficiency of this mode of transport. Also, at the same time, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the life cycle are considerably reduced.