Railway rolling stock — Architecture and mechanical design

Rolling stock transports the customers of the rail system, and is one of its essential components. Who are these customers? Identifying and characterizing them enables us to distinguish between the two families of towed equipment: wagons for goods or freight, and cars for passengers. In this way, we can define the equipment needed for traction, known as traction equipment. This is the subject of the first part.

Rolling stock performs fundamental functions such as rolling, containing and transmitting forces. These functions are analyzed and confronted with the main constraints, such as the weight placed on the track and the space requirement in relation to the space allowed by the spatial environment, known as the gauge. This is the subject of the second part.

The third part looks at rolling elements. They play the main role in terms of transport safety and performance. They transmit traction and braking forces. Their configuration, thanks in particular to the bogie, can be adapted to the different types of traffic to be handled.

The container, frequently referred to as the "body", not only "contains" the customer, but also ensures optimal transport conditions in terms of safety and comfort. The inventory of functions to be performed and the interface with the running gear and other vehicles enable us to deduce the principles of installation. This is the subject of Part Four.

The fifth section outlines the essential principles of maintenance and the mutual environmental impact of rolling stock: materials used, waste and external aggression.