After a brief overview of the rail industry as a whole focusing on what makes railway transport so specific and successful (M1), this 5-day training gets into the technical details of rail subsystems.

M9 is also technical but much more practical. This module is actually a very concrete conclusion of what has been covered during the training.

This training gives participants the necessary knowledge and tools to work on rail projects - and to be successful.

  • M1 : Introduction to Railways & Urban guided transport - 0.5 d
  • M2 : Railway Systems Overview & Metro specificities - 0.5 d
  • M3 : Rolling Stock, Traction Systems & Train Dynamics - 0.75 d
  • M4 : Track Infrastructure, Track Components & Track Design - 0.75 d
  • M5 : Power supply & Electrification - 0.5 d
  • M6 : Signalling - 0.5 d
  • M7 : Operations & Traffic planning - 0.5 d
  • M8 : Maintenance 0.5 - d
  • M9 : Technical visit – Railway facility - 0.5 d


  • M1: INTRODUCTION TO RAILWAYS & URBAN GUIDED TRANSPORT

    • Major rail projects around the world: High speed, suburban lines, metro & tramways
    • Rail advantages vs. other modes of transport
    • Main metro systems around the world
    • History & economics of rail transport
    • Specificities according to countries & Interoperability
    • Rail organizations, rail industry & international key players: Operators, international organisations, engineering companies, manufacturers (infrastructure, rolling stock, signalling, etc.)
    • Major rail events around the world, Key rail magazines & Websites

  • M2: RAILWAY SYSTEMS OVERVIEW & METRO SPECIFICITIES

    • Introduction to rail subsystems and their main parameters
    • Fundamental principles of guided transport systems
    • Infrastructure
    • Rolling stock
    • Electrification
    • Signalling & Telecommunications
    • Operations
    • Maintenance

  • M3: ROLLING STOCK

    • Main types of rolling stock and their differences: High speed trains, Suburban trains, Tilting trains, Metro, Tramways, Tram-train, Freight trains
    • Major characteristics: Speed, axle load, gauge
    • Braking systems
    • Traction systems: diesel, electric, etc.
    • Vehicle dynamics, wheel-rail interaction
    • Innovative projects
    • Rolling stock terminology

  • M4: TRACK - INFRASTRUCTURE, COMPONENTS & DESIGN

    • General aspects
    • Stresses on railway track
    • Track substructure & Structures
    • Ballasted track components
    • Different slab track technologies & components
    • Turnouts & crossings: Types, geometry, components
    • Standards & specifications for track components
    • Track design & Track geometry

  • M5: POWER SUPPLY & ELECTRIFICATION

    • Historical aspects of rail power supply
    • Different systems: Third rail, overhead systems, APS
    • Standardised voltages
    • Current collection: Pantograph & catenary, third rail
    • Power supply & electrical substations
    • Return current & regenerative braking
    • Electromagnetic compatibility with signalling & telecom rail equipment
    • Railway electrification terminology

  • M6: SIGNALLING

    • Objectives of signalling systems
    • Safety requirements
    • CBTC: Introduction, Benefits & Risks, Architecture
    • ERTMS

  • M7: OPERATIONS & TRAFFIC PLANNING

    • Introduction: Railway risks, different types of traffic
    • General principles for Operations: Planning/scheduling & Real-time operations
    • Metro operations strategy
    • Planning: Running times, graphic timetables, headway, line capacity, robustness in train scheduling
    • Normal operating conditions
    • Degraded modes of operation
    • Exercises
    • Operations Terminology

  • M8: MAINTENANCE - ROLLING STOCK & INFRASTRUCTURE

    • General principles of maintenance: Maintenance levels, preventive and corrective maintenance
    • Rolling stock: Maintenance levels, maintenance facilities and workshops
    • Signalling & Electrification (OHL, third rail)
    • Infrastructure: Track component wear, track geometry defects, maintenance tolerances, track inspection, maintenance activities (tamping, renewal, etc.) & equipment

  • M9: TECHNICAL VISIT – RAILWAY FACILITY

    • Operations Control Center – Track maintenance – Rail construction site – Railway testing centre - depending on availability