This paper is an outcome of an international collaborative research initiative. Researchers from 24 institutions across 12 countries were invited to discuss the state-of-the-art in railway train air brake modelling with an emphasis on freight trains. Discussed models are classified as empirical, fluid dynamics and fluid-empirical dynamics models. Empirical models are widely used, and advanced versions have been used for train dynamics simulations. Fluid dynamics models are better models to study brake system behaviour but are more complex and slower in computation. Fluid-empirical dynamics models combine fluid dynamics brake pipe models and empirical brake valve models. They are a balance of model fidelity and computational speeds. Depending on research objectives, detailed models of brake rigging, friction blocks and wheel-rail adhesion are also available. To spark new ideas and more research in this field, the challenges and research gaps in air brake modelling are discussed.

There are presented and analyzed specific aspects regarding the main mechanic and pneumatic issues determining the in-train dynamic forces developed during braking actions. Particularities in case of passenger trains are highlighted, with the aim of proving that even in the case of short trains, fitted with UIC type P braking system, longitudinal dynamics can cause significant reactions whose effect cannot be neglected, both in terms of traffic safety and comfort. Numerical examples presented stand for this.

Dry friction dampers are widely used in railway vehicle suspensions due to their simplicity, robustness, and cost-effectiveness compared to hydraulic alternatives. However, accurately modelling their behaviour remains challenging because of the discontinuous nature of friction forces. This paper presents a comparative study between two modelling approaches: continuous (regularized) models, which smooth out discontinuities, and discontinuous (switch-based) models, which explicitly capture stick–slip transitions. Using a two-degree-of-freedom suspension system, both models are implemented and analyzed under steady-state and transient conditions. Results show that while continuous models are easier to implement and integrate numerically, they fail to capture key physical phenomena such as zero relative velocity intervals and force discontinuities. In contrast, discontinuous models offer superior physical fidelity and significantly better computational efficiency, especially during static friction phases. This study highlights the trade-offs between modelling simplicity and accuracy, providing valuable insights for the simulation and design of railway suspension systems. The findings support the use of discontinuous models in safety-critical simulations and suggest avenues for hybrid modelling strategies.

The paper focuses on evaluating the stability of the railway vehicle during running on a track horizontal irregularities and investigating the possibilities to improve the dynamic behavior on a lateral direction. The evaluation method for the stability relies on the homologation specifications of the railway vehicles from the perspective of the dynamic behavior included in the UIC 518 Leaflet, where the lateral accelerations of the bogies represent evaluation units for the stability. The lateral accelerations are derived from numerical simulations, developed on a non-linear complex model of the vehicle/track system, where the vehicle is described by a mechanical system with 21 degrees of freedom. The results thus presented outline the possibilities of improving the vehicle stability by adopting the best values of the lateral damping of the secondary suspension or of the lateral stiffness of the primary suspension that will lead to the minimizing of the lateral acceleration in a bogie.

The distribution and the size of longitudinal dynamic forces that develop in the train body found in braking system are influenced by the length of the train. To determine these forces, it is used a mechanical model consisting of rigid bodies, representing the train vehicles, connected by elastic and damping elements with the nonlinear characteristic that shapes the buffer and draw-gear. The results based on numerical simulations highlight the emergence of dynamic longitudinal forces during braking, their evolution over time and the distribution of maximum compression and stretching forces that develop in buffer and draw-gear devices, for different lengths of the passenger train.

Turnouts represent a critical element of railway infrastructure, and are subjected to some of the highest mechanical stresses due to the discontinuity of the track geometry. Failures in this area generate high maintenance costs and may compromise traffic safety. This study investigates the effect of wheel profile geometry on the wheel–turnout interaction in the presence of multi-point contact. Two standard wheel profiles, S78 and S1002, are compared using numerical simulations based on Kalker’s three-dimensional rolling contact theory, implemented in the CONTACT program. The methodology includes parametric analysis of the contact stresses, adhesion/slip distribution, and frictional power density for typical operational conditions. It was observed that the choice of wheel profile significantly influences the shape and load distribution of contact patches, with direct implications for wear mechanisms and guidance safety. These findings provide valuable insight for optimizing wheel–rail interface design and for reducing turnout maintenance costs.