Navigating Challenges in Mountain Railways

Freight transportation in mountainous areas presents specific challenges due to the unique terrain. Key issues include steep inclines, changing soil conditions, and reduced air density at high altitudes.

 

Sharp Ascents

On steep inclines, the load on the locomotive’s driving wheels increases which can lead to wheel slippage. To prevent this, freight operators often use multiple locomotives, either placed at the front or distributed throughout the train as mid or rear helper engines. Yet, this arrangement requires the synchronized work of all locomotives in terms of speed, power output, and braking to prevent derailments.

The need to use multiple locomotives also impacts the volume of cargo that can be transported and reduces the ability to carry complete loads in Europe efficiently. Adding one locomotive which can range from 18 to 23 meters might replace one or two boxcars or flatcars that measure between 12 and 18 meters. Reducing the number of cars also impacts the shipment of certain cargo types. For instance, bulk commodities such as coal, ore, and grain are usually transported in large quantities which becomes challenging with a more limited capacity. This reduction in cars also restricts the ability to ship hazardous goods as these require careful spacing that cannot be met with fewer available cars.

 

Soil Variability

Mountainous terrains, molded by historical tectonic activity, display varied soil stiffness. In some regions, tectonic forces have pushed rock layers upward intact which has led to minimal soil development and harder soil conditions. In other areas where these forces have fractured rock layers, soil is more fragmented and mixed with organic material.  For trains traversing these mountainous regions where soil composition changes frequently, continuous speed adjustments are needed. This involves increasing speed when entering areas with harder, more stable ground, and reducing speed when passing through softer, more fragmented soil areas.

To address these challenges, engineers and train operators might rely on route planning and real-time operator judgment to adjust speeds based on known terrain variability along the track. This could involve manual adjustments or programmed responses based on historical data and terrain mapping. However, even with speed planning, it can be challenging to completely prevent the shifting of cargo. This can be an issue for more sensitive cargo such as heavy items and perishable agricultural products.

For heavy machinery, even when securely fastened, changes in speed and the accompanying vibrations can cause slight internal shifts in components. This can result in misalignment in machinery which relies on the precise alignment of its parts for proper functionality. With perishable agricultural products, repeated vibrations due to speed changes can lead to bruising, splitting, crushing, and other forms of damage.

 

High Altitude Impacts

At higher altitudes, the thinner air can cause less effective braking and increase the risk of accidents. Additionally, certain types of cargo might be sensitive to the pressure and humidity changes associated with high altitudes. These include, for example, chemicals that can degrade or react under pressure changes, perishable foods that may spoil due to temperature fluctuations, and aerosol products at risk of pressure-induced leakage.