Italian State Railways Research Articles

On the lateral stability of the sleeper-ballast system

The lateral stability of railway tracks depends on all track components: rails, fastening systems, sleepers, ballast bed and substructure. Among them, the ballast is the weakest one and, due to its granular nature, experimental data obtained in line from full-scale tests, rather than based on analytical formulations, are used to describe its behavior. Until now, several studies have been carried out to quantify the effects of the track-bed geometrical parameters on the transverse strength of the track, but unfortunately not all the possible scenarios have been investigated. To fill this gap, a numerical-experimental research program of in-line tests has been developed in the framework of a cooperation between the Italian State Railways (RFI) and the Department of Industrial Engineering (DII) of the University of Naples Federico II. An ad hoc experimental testing plant, which is able to apply in a more realistic way the testing loads in field conditions, has been designed and realized. In the present paper, the test field is described, and both the features of the new testing plant and the advantages that this new system offers are detailed. Finally, from the analysis of the experimental data obtained from in-line tests carried out on some track panels representative of real scenarios, and with the help of atypical lateral resistance tests, an interesting property is utilized to predict a priori the lateral resistance curves of non tested scenarios.

Il rapporto tra l'espansione delle strade ferrate italiane e lo sviluppo della Società Anonima San Giorgio: dal 1905 alla vigilia del primo conflitto mondiale

Railways are the first example of a modern business that States have regulated and which, in many cases, has contributed significantly to the economic success of industries connected to it but also of the State. The Societa anonima italiana per la costruzione di automobili terrestri e marittimi San has a hundred years history, began in Genoa in 1905. From the earliest years, it produced wagons and carriages for the Italian State Railways. The article, by an archive documental analysis, explores the contribution of the enlargement of the Italian railways to the development of San Giorgio, also highlighting the link between the trend of State orders at the national level and the strategies adopted by San Giorgio and its results. The result is a complex alliance with lights and darks.

Determination of the Electrical Parameters of Railway Traction Lines: Calculation, Measurement, and Reference Data

A comprehensive analysis of published experimental data and formulae for the determination of the electrical parameters of railway traction lines is performed. Several results from different authors are presented with particular attention to different assumptions and environmental conditions. Additional measurements were performed over the 5 Hz-200 kHz frequency range on a line section purposely prepared at La Spezia Railway Station (Italian State Railways). Theoretical formulae are considered and their validity is checked against experimental data. There is general accordance within common variations of the most critical parameters; calculations and measurements agree over the entire frequency range and are very accurate in the frequency range 50 Hz-50 kHz, where significant conducted disturbance lies.

Again on the relation between rails and archaeological and architectural heritage

There is a brief description of the unique relation between the railway system, whose main actor is Ferrovie dello Stato (Italian State Railways) and the cultural and archaeological heritage on the national territory. That relation dates back to the period during which the railway was introduced in Italy, before the unification of Italy. As the country developed that relationship became more intense and it started to play a key role during the works for the High Speed/High Capacity (AV/AC) lines. Those works were fundamental as they led to findings and helped the conservation and promotion of important archaeological findings, that was something really innovative. In conclusion it is advisable to reflect upon this in order to find, after positive experiences, one more serious line of action for Ferrovie dello Stato for the safeguard and the use of artistic, architectonic and archaeological heritage placed along the railways.

Computerised Systems For Catenary GeometryAssessment

The paper deals with the development of the mobile diagnostic computerised systems adopted by the Italian State Railways (Ferrovie dello Stato = FS) for the automatic monitoring of contact lines and the relevant expected performances. In particular it refers to a new system providing the main geometrical data of the catenary, by using a special motor trolley, which performs continuous measurements while running. A great importance is given to the innovative measurement system of the residual thickness of the contact wires, which is able to check more than four conductors at the same time. The common employ of this new trolley and relevant computerized system in Italian railway electrified lines will produce a great improvement in the planning of catenaries maintenance and management. In particular, by using this mobile diagnostic, it is possible to organise better the working operations to be done during breaks in the track, improving the regularity of the train traffic mainly in high-speed running lines. The FS strategies on the extension of this type of systems and an estimation about the cost reduction expected are given, together with the aims of the development of similar monitoring systems.

Calibration of an on-board noise measuring device by simultaneous measurements of trackside noise of three different wheelsets for the ETR500 FS train

An on-board device for bolting to the axlebox of a railway vehicle or locomotive to measure rolling noise close to the wheel surface has been developed by the authors (1, 2). Even though laboratory calibration and test runs have shown that the measured noise data are consistent, there was no way to prove that they were in accordance with the on-ground measured ones. Italian State Railways (FS) have performed tests with different wheelsets to evaluate the efficiency of several noise-reduction solutions; during these tests it was possible to repeat noise measurements on-board, therefore obtaining a sufficient amount of data to calibrate the device and to analyse in detail the behaviour of such wheelsets. Calculated calibration constants prove that on-board measured data can be used with confidence to estimate noise levels at several distances from the track, thereby reducing the necessity of long and expensive on-ground tests to measure environmental noise pollution.

Italian Republic, Italian Ministry of Transport and Italian State Railways v. Beta Holding SA and Another

394Sovereign immunity — Foreign States and State-owned corporations and their property — Italian State Railways — Action for breach of loan agreement — Whether Italian State Railways entitled to jurisdictional immunity — Whether Italian State Railways endowed with independent legal personality — Acts iure imperii and iure gestionis — Requirement of close connection between case and forum — Attachment of shares — Immunity from attachment — Shares in Eurofima purchased by Italian State Railways — Legal states of Eurofima — Whether such shares immune from attachment as assets allocated for the performance of a State function — Relevance of distinction between patrimonial and administrative State assets — Whether purpose for which assets are allocated is decisive — The law of Switzerland

Topical Problems with Rolling Stock on the Italian State Railways

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.

Experiences of the Italian State Railways with Diesel Shunting Locomotives Using Hydrostatic Transmissions

The Italian State Railways (F.S.) have in service 150 two-and three-axle diesel shunting locomotives equipped with hydrostatic transmission, powered at rates from 150 to 450 hp. In these locomotives some operating characteristics give better performance than locomotives equipped with hydrodynamic transmissions, specifically: easy running reversibility; high flexibility factor which allows elimination of the slow-fast running gears and simplicity of installation. Other theoretical advantages of hydrostatic transmission were found to be unimportant in practice, for example: initial loss of power due to the transmission increases remarkably with service and the braking action is limited by the overrunning of the diesel engine. Disadvantages of the hydrostatic transmissions in service are: the ‘rigid’ connection between the engine and the axles and the absence of ‘coasting’; the maintenance costs of the transmission increase more than linearly with power ratio. In conclusion, the experience of the F.S. with hydrostatic transmission units shows that this type of transmission can be competitive in the field of diesel power of less than 150 kW.

Garofalo v. Italian State Railways.

Belligerent Occupation — Legislative and Administrative Functions of the Occupant — State-owned Railways Operating Under Orders of Occupant — Civil Responsibility for — Whether Attributable to Occupant — Effect of Armistice — The Law of Italy.

Italian State Railways v. Polish State Railways.

Arbitration — Compromis — Withdrawal of Consent to Arbitrate on the Ground of Essential Error — Central Office for International Transport as Arbitrator under the Berne Convention — Competence to Pass on the Scope and Validity of the Special Agreement.