OPERATION OF HIGH-SPEED LINES IN MIXED PASSENGER AND FREIGHT TRAFFIC: A TECHNICAL AND COMMERCIAL REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN EUROPEAN ROUTES

The author identifies two types of high-speed rail operation: the Franco-Japanese model using dedicated passenger services and the Italian-German model for mixed traffic. Conventional and freight trains have been operated on part of the Atlantic TGV however and it is suggested that the feasibility and economic viability of some lines may rely on their ability to take mixed traffic. The financial consequences of wear on track caused by conventional rolling stock is particularly crucial in any consideration of operating mixed traffic. The author presents data on the vertical dynamic stresses exerted by various vehicles and recommends the use of such information when studying the compatibilty of different rolling stock. The new generation of motive power stock is shown to transmit similar forces to those transmitted by the dedicated trainset. In the case of freight wagons, the most important factor is track geometry. This paper was presented at the EURAILSPEED 92 conference held in Brussels, April 27-29, 1992. For the covering abstract see IRRD 853180.