Random curiosity on the assymetry of rail wear on the Lemanic Arc

DavidR

On the Lemanic Arc between Montreux and Geneva, the train offers a stunning view over the Leman and vinyards on its south side. Accordingly, many passengers, myself included, tend to prefer sitting on the lake side on this journey.

I was curious, if the CFF maintenance team observes a corresponding assymetry in wear in the rails used by the grandes lignes due to the assymetry in passenger weight distribution.

RolandP

Hello DavidR

That’s not an issue there, since the IC/IR trains do not always operate on the same route all the time. They are operated interchangeably. Regional trains, that operate the same line all the time, are sometimes exchanged and operate on another route, to prevent an asymmetry. From what I know, the curvy routes are the issue, not the passenger load itself, which makes a few tons difference only.

As a rule of thumb, 20 passengers equals 1 tonne, a regular single-deck coach can accommodate up to 86 passengers.

By the way, most of the single-deck coaches that were in operation in the Valais for years, are now operating the IR36 between Basel and Zurich.

Kind regards,
Roland

DavidR

Hi RolandP,

That’s fascinating, thanks for the information!
That makes sense that the trains themselves would not see much wear as they are exchanged between different routes. Although out of curiosity, do the actual tracks themselves, not the trains, see an assymetry in wear? Although yeah I guess as you said the effect may be dwarfed by just the wear caused from the route curvature.

Thanks!
-David