Managing rail profile

Managing the contact conditions between train wheels and the running rail is key to controlling the dynamic behaviour of railway rolling stock and preventing rail defect initiation and growth. This paper describes the rail profile management strategies deployed by Network Rail. The development of policies and standards is discussed, highlighting the reasons behind the selection of target rail profiles and friction management techniques. Practical implementation of the strategies is described, with consideration given to the challenges faced delivering rail profile management on the operational railway. Recent developments in rail friction management and reprofiling technology are presented, e.g. top of rail friction modifiers, rail milling and high productivity grinding. The costs and benefits of the new technologies are examined. The impact of these developments on the Network Rail’s approach to managing rail profile is discussed. Drawing conclusions from this analysis, a future vision of rail profile management on Network Rail infrastructure is presented.