Influence of the structural design of rail fastenings on ensuring the stability of track gauge in operating conditions

As the rolling stock speed increases, the requirements for stability parameters increase accordingly. One of these parameters is the track gauge. The stability of this parameter depends on many of the structural elements of the upper track structure and on the environmental conditions. In the research work, the authors have considered the influence of such a structural element as an intermediate rail fastening on its ability to provide a stable track gauge. The most common intermediate rail fastenings on the Ukrainian Railways have been accepted to be compared, including the KB-65 type fastening, the KPP-1 type fastening and the KPP-5 type fastening. In order to determine exactly the influence of each structural element, the other gauge parameters for all three types of fastenings have been taken equivalent. The data have been obtained from the track measuring car. With the obtained data, a statistical analysis has been conducted, which enables to draw conclusions about the ability of the intermediate rail fastenings under consideration to ensure the track gauge stability. The conclusions have been made on the applicability of each of the fastenings under consideration.