Practical Guide to Railway Engineering

Current Edition: 2019

Written by a group of over 50 railroad professionals, representing over 1200 years of experience, the Practical Guide to Railway Engineering may be the most useful tool since the vibratory tamper. The New Third Edition has a fresh look and updated and expanded content. Whether you’re new to the industry or a long-time contributor who simply wishes to learn more, this book offers in-depth coverage of railway fundamentals and serves as an excellent reference. This text combines and consolidates the most useful information from a multitude of sources including: AREMA Manuals; Railway Engineering by W.W. Hay; Railway Curves and Earthwork by C. Frank Allen; FRA, USDOT and other agency sources.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Railway Industry Development and Overview
Chapter 2 – Basic Track
Chapter 3 – Railway Track Design
Chapter 4 – Roadway & Mapping
Chapter 5 – Track Maintenance
Chapter 6 – Communications & Signals
Chapter 7 – Railway Structures Management
Chapter 8 – Structures Design
Chapter 9 – Passenger, Transit & High Speed Rail
Chapter 10 – Yards and Terminals
Chapter 11 – Government & Regulatory Oversight
Chapter 12 – Environmental Regulations and Permitting
Glossary

"The Third Edition of the Practical Guide to Railway Engineering may be the most useful tool since the vibratory tamper."
William (Bill) Riehl, III, PE, F.SAME - Genesee & Wyoming Inc.
 
“I am very proud of the work Committee 24 has put into updating the Practical Guide to Railway Engineering. It is a great reference book on all aspects of railroad engineering.”
Charley Chambers, PE - Hanson Professional Services Inc. 
 
“Every railroad engineer should have a copy."
Richard L. Keller, PE - Montana Rail Link (Retired) – AREMA President, 2002-2003

"The Practical Guide is an outstanding accomplishment and product brought to you by Committee 24."
Michael N. Armstrong - BNSF Railway (Retired) – AREMA President, 2001-2002

"A valuable and up-to-date practical supplement to the fundamental principles presented in Hay's classic text, Railroad Engineering.  We plan to adopt portions of it for use in our railroad engineering classes at the U of I."
Dr. Christopher (Chris) Barkan - University of Illinois