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This guide provides a quick reference for understanding cant in railway engineering, including definitions, key equations, and related resources. Cant refers to the height difference between two rails, with positive and negative cant defined based on their relative heights on curves. The document also covers equilibrium cant, applied cant, and cant deficiency, along with links to additional videos for further learning.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
135 views10 pagesCant PDF Download
This guide provides a quick reference for understanding cant in railway engineering, including definitions, key equations, and related resources. Cant refers to the height difference between two rails, with positive and negative cant defined based on their relative heights on curves. The document also covers equilibrium cant, applied cant, and cant deficiency, along with links to additional videos for further learning.
Uploaded by
Michael TeasdillCopyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
Cant
A Guide
A quick reference, definition of
terms and key equations
The PWay Engineer
Welcome to this guide
from the PWay Engineer
This guide aims to be your quick
reference go to for cant. Included is the
definitions of key terms as well as the
equations you will need to know
Also included are link to related videos
from our YouTube channel should you
want to know more on a particular topic
The PWay Engineer
Cant
What is cant?
On the railway, cant refers to the difference in
height between the two rails. This means one of
the two rails has been lifted above the other. It is
also known as super elevation.
When the track is straight , the rails are at the
same level relative to each other. As there is no
difference, this is zero cant.
Zero cant
Curves are where we are likely to find cant.
The PWay Engineer
On the figure below the left hand rail is lifted
above the right hand rail. The difference in height
between the rail is the cant, shown here as X. It is
measured in millimetres.
When the outside rail on a curve is higher, as in
our example, this is known as positive cant.
If the outer rail is the lower of the two rails, this
would be negative cant. This is normally found in
contra flexure S&C layouts with cant on the
through route.
When the track is straight , the rails are at the
same level relative to each other. As there is no
difference, this is zero cant.
The PWay Engineer
Equilibrium Cant
The full definition of equilibrium cant is the:
"The value of cant for a particular curve radius at a
certain speed at which the resultant force on the train
is perpendicular to the running plane of the rails"
Centrifugal
Force
Resultant
Train Mass
Force
The key thing to remember about equilibrium cant
is that it is valid for the speed and radius for which
it is calculated. It is also a design ideal, with the
final value of cant used being the applied cant.
The PWay Engineer
The Equation
The equation to determine the equilibrium cant is
shown below:
Where:
The constant 11.82 is is valid for gauges of
1432mm, 1435mm and 1438mm. It is a
simplification of more complex equations that
simplifies the equation. You may see 11.8 used
around the world.
The PWay Engineer
Applied Cant
As mentioned in the equilibrium cant section of
this guide, equilibrium cant is a design ideal
The level of cant actually applied to track is known
as the applied cant. The choice of applied cant is
driven by a range of factors, including actual train
speed (rather than maximum possible speed used
to calculate equilibrium cant), the mix of train
types travelling through the area and location
operations.
You will see applied cant symbolised as below in
equations
For more on how the value of applied cant is
determined, take a minute watch this guide:
How Much Is the Right Amount of Cant? A Guide
for Railway Curves
The PWay Engineer
Cant Deficiency
Cant deficiency is the difference between the
calculated equilibrium value and the applied cant
This can also be shown on a diagram as below.
Eq
Ea
The PWay Engineer
Equations Summary
Equilibrium Cant
Where:
Cant Deficiency
The PWay Engineer
Additional Resources
Check out these links to videos for more
A Complete Guide to Rail Cant and Cant Deficiency
How to Guide to Easily Work Out Equilibrium Cant
for a Railway Curve
What Is Railway Cant? A Quick Guide for Railway
Engineers
The Complete Guide to Railway Curves. An Easy
Intro to Curves and Their Design
For all things railway check out:
The PWay Engineer Youtube Channel
Thepwayngineer.com
