Course detail

Rail Vehicles

FSI-QK0Acad. year: 2025/2026

The subject introduces students to the basic actions and requirements in the development of rolling stock, both from the point of view of the whole, and also with a focus on individual structural part, their purpose, principle of function, construction and current state of development. The theoretical, structural and operational aspects are monitored. Presentation materials of functional samples provided by industrial partners and experimental techniques in laboratories are used during teaching.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

2

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Ing. Kamil Řehák, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Automotive Engineering (ÚADI)

Entry knowledge

Basic knowledge corresponding to the subjects of the theoretical basis of the bachelor's degree FSI BUT in Brno, primarily statics, kinematics, dynamics, flexibility and strength.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Credit is conditional on:
- active participation in the exercises,
- passing the credit test.

The credit test verifies the knowledge acquired in the exercises, it can be supplemented with an oral discussion.


Teaching in exercises and laboratories is compulsory, attendance is checked by the teacher. The form of replacing lessons missed for serious reasons is solved individually with the subject guarantor, usually by working out additional tasks from the given issue.

Aims

 The aim of the subject is to introduce students to the issue of rolling stock. The student will acquire knowledge about the construction of trucks, passenger cars and driving vehicles. Attention is also paid to key structural units from the point of view of the requirements placed on them, their construction, the method of development and subsequent testing.


The student acquires knowledge that is a prerequisite for independent conceptual or design work, as well as the ability to evaluate and optimize structural designs of partial structural units of rolling stock, while the emphasis is on practical usability.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

HELLER, Petr. Kolejová vozidla I. 1. vydání. Západočeská univerzita v Plzni, 2017.  ISBN 978-80-261-0693-7. (CS)
HELLER, Petr. Kolejová vozidla II. 1. vydání. Západočeská univerzita v Plzni, 2019. ISBN 978-80-261-0773-6. (CS)
HELLER, Petr. Kolejová vozidla III. 1. vydání. Západočeská univerzita v Plzni, 2021. ISBN 978-80-261-1047-7. (CS)
KOLÁŘ, Josef. Teoretické základy konstrukce kolejových vozidel. ČVUT v Praze, 2009. ISBN 978-80-01-04262-5. (CS)

Recommended reading

HELLER, Petr. Kolejová vozidla I. 1. vydání. Západočeská univerzita v Plzni, 2017. ISBN 978-80-261-0693-7. (CS)
HELLER, Petr. Kolejová vozidla II. 1. vydání. Západočeská univerzita v Plzni, 2019. ISBN 978-80-261-0773-6. (CS)
HELLER, Petr. Kolejová vozidla III. 1. vydání. Západočeská univerzita v Plzni, 2021. ISBN 978-80-261-1047-7. (CS)
KOLÁŘ, Josef. Teoretické základy konstrukce kolejových vozidel. ČVUT v Praze, 2009. ISBN 978-80-01-04262-5. (CS)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme N-AAE-P Master's 2 year of study, winter semester, elective
  • Programme N-ADI-P Master's 1 year of study, winter semester, elective
    2 year of study, winter semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Ing. Kamil Řehák, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. Rail Vehicles - history, key milestones, present
2. Nomenclature and terms used for rail vehicles, requirements for rail vehicles
3. Power transmission in rail vehicles drives
4. Auxiliary drives of rail vehicles
5. Construction of the housing of rail vehicles
6. The issue of space for passenger transport
7. Stability of the chassis movement in the track, primary and secondary suspension
8. The issue of wheel-rail contact
9. Axle construction
10. Issues of transmission and adjacent components
11. Trams and subway vehicles
12. High-speed rail vehicles
13. Development trends in the field of rail vehicles