Railway Test Tracks

The TTC is the largest railway testing facility in the world with over 50 miles (80 km) of test tracks. Test tracks are used for rolling stock prototype testing, type testing, homologation, and research.

Additionally, infrastructure components and construction & maintenance methods can be tested.

Railroad Test Track at a Glance

Railroad Test Track Loop (RTT)

  • 13.5 miles (21.7 km)
  • Max Speed: 165 mph (265 kph)
  • Overhead catenary wire with adjustable voltage

Applications:

  • Passenger & Freight vehicle testing at high speeds
  • Higher speeds vehicle/track interaction assessments
  • Pantograph/overhead wire interaction assessments

Transit Test Track (TTT)

  • 9.1 miles (14.6 km)
  • Max Speed: 142 kph (89 mph)
  • Top contact third rail

Applications:

  • Heavy rail and light rail vehicle testing
  • Vehicle/track interaction assessments
  • Third rail interaction assessments

Wheel Rail Mechanism Loop (WRM)

  • 7.5 miles (5.6 km)
  • 4°, 5°, 7.5°, 10°, and 12° curves (145m, 175m, 233m, 349m, 437m radius curves)

Applications:

  • Curving and spiral twist assessments
  • Wheel/Rail interaction assessments
  • AAR Chapter XI Dynamic Curving testing

High Tonnage Loop (HTL)

  • 2.7 miles (4.3 km)
  • Accumulates 1.0 million gross tons per day, 140 million gross tons (MGT) per year

Applications:

  • Accelerated track component testing including rail, fasteners, ties, ballast, turnouts, special trackwork, bridges, construction & maintenance methods

Precision Test Track (PTT)

  • 36 miles (11.8 km)
  • Intentional track perturbations installed

Applications:

  • Vehicle/track interaction assessment testing
  • AAR Chapter XI testing for: Pitch & Bounce, Twist & Roll, Yaw & Sway
  • Coupler impact testing

Precision Geometry Slab Track

  • Located on the RTT Test Track
  • Maximum Speed: 165mph (265 kph)
  • Vertical and lateral precision adjustment of rail to create track geometry perturbations.

Applications:

  • High speed vehicle/track interaction assessments