ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses railway vehicle derailments, focussing on derailment types that are directly related to wheel-rail and vehicle-track interaction. Common causes, contributing factors and mechanisms of derailment are examined. Assessment methods and safety criteria against flange climb, rail rollover, gauge widening, track panel shift and overspeed are described. Strategies for derailment prevention, including bogie design, wheel profile optimisation, train handling and friction management, are discussed.
