Control and operation of tilting train services

Abstract

Discussions on the best way forward to achieve reductions in journey time without the investment normally associated with the construction of new high-speed railways tend to concentrate on the technical issues to be resolved rather than on the very significant operational, legal and human issues that affect the economies of any high-speed railway operation. Many engineers and operators associated with long-established railway systems (1-4) view the introduction of tilting trains as the best way forward in situations where speed limits are imposed by track built with the objective of minimizing expenditure on civil works. Although there are instances where the introduction of tilting trains has yielded the benefits sought, there are many situations where the environment of the railway business effectively excludes this option. The author of the present paper has attempted to review the tilt debate from an operations angle, stimulated by some comments by Meyer (5), and focuses on developments in Great Britain.