The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor is set to introduce an advanced railway turnout technology in India with the installation of movable crossings, also known as swing-nose crossings. The system is being adopted to support safe and reliable train operations at speeds of up to 320 kmph.
Unlike conventional railway turnouts that use fixed crossings, movable crossings are designed to eliminate the gap normally present at the crossing point. At very high speeds, wheel-and-rail interaction at a fixed crossing can create greater dynamic forces, potentially increasing vibration, noise and wear.
The movable crossing works by shifting the crossing nose along with the switch rails, creating a continuous rail surface and maintaining uninterrupted guidance for train wheels as they pass through the turnout.
The technology is expected to provide smoother train movement while reducing impact forces, vibrations, interior noise and wear on both rails and rolling stock. It is particularly suited to the demanding operational requirements of a high-speed railway system.
The MAHSR turnouts will also feature two independent point machines. One will control and lock the switch rails, while the second will operate and secure the movable crossing nose.
Both machines will function through an integrated signalling and control system. When a route is selected, the switch rails and movable crossing move into position. A train will be permitted to pass only after independent detection systems confirm that both components have reached their correct positions and are mechanically locked.
The arrangement provides an additional layer of operational security by ensuring that the rail path is properly established and secured at both critical points before a train movement is authorised.
The high-speed point machines have been designed to meet strict requirements for accurate movement, tight positioning tolerances and reliable locking, enabling them to withstand the forces associated with high-speed operations.
The adoption of movable-crossing turnouts is intended to enhance safety, ride comfort, equipment longevity and operational reliability across the MAHSR corridor as India moves towards its first high-speed rail service.
Source: ANI
