Abstract
This paper describes the requirements of a modern railway transport system and shows how they may be met under the headings: motive power: braking; comfort; safety. Motive power: for really high speeds a locomotive is not suitable. The alternatives are discussed. Braking: friction braking alone is not enough at really high speeds. Rheostatic or regenerative braking must also be used. Comfort: the physical and psychological factors involved are discussed in some detail and the O.R.E. and Sperling methods of estimating comfort are mentioned. It is shown that attention to both track and vehicle is necessary for comfort at high speed. Methods of suspension used in France, U.S.A., Germany, Great Britain, and Italy are compared. Safety: improvements in signalling and electronic control are essential. The paper concludes with a description of new trains now coming into use or being designed for the Italian State Railways.
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