Railway Engineering | Training course

The “Railway Engineering” Training course is organized by the Association of Italian Railway Engineers (CIFI), an institution founded in 1899.

CIFI is one of the oldest and most important technical and professional associations in Italy. Its main objectives are:

• To promote the study of scientific, technical, economic, and legislative issues related to land transport.
• To propose the best solutions to these issues, engaging with public opinion, the Executive and Legislative Powers of the State, public Administrations and private entities.
• To enhance the role of engineers and transport experts and contribute to their cultural advancement.
• To contribute to the improvement of technical culture and the professional training and development of those working in the land transport industry.

The College, which brings together around 2,400 individual members involved in land transport, has always been chaired by eminent figures in the field of transport science and technology. According to the new statute, both engineers as ordinary members and non-engineers as associate members can register as individual members. Additionally, engineering students can register as junior members. The College also includes over 200 industrial and transport companies, several university institutes, Public Companies, departments and engineering orders as collective members.

 CIFI’s activities are fundamentally cultural and aimed at providing moral support to the profession. In the publishing field, CIFI is responsible for the publication of two periodicals:

• Ingegneria Ferroviaria: A monthly journal focused on transport technology and economics, accredited in the Scopus academic literature databases, managed by the publisher Elsevier.
• La Tecnica Professionale, a monthly collection of studies and news for railway education, is dedicated to personnel in various categories.

The College also publishes books and monographs of scientific, technical, and professional interest.

CIFI organises educational and professional development courses, business organisation and management courses, and collective educational trips. It also awards periodic prizes to encourage studies and research on land transport. A Social Library, well-stocked with railway-related books and journals, is available to scholars.

 Since its inception, CIFI has been a member of the Union of European Railway Engineers’ Associations (UEEIV), which includes twenty-four organisations from various European countries.

Development & Innovation in Transport Systems (DITS), a startup of Sapienza University of Rome, is the Scientific Partner of the Railway Engineering Training Course.

Development & Innovation in Transport Systems (DITS) is a Startup of Sapienza University of Rome, established in 2012, within the Department of Civil, Building and Environmental Engineering (DICEA) and the PhD school in Infrastructure and Transport. stemming from the over 40-year experience of a large research group focused on Railway Engineering. The company is owned by 15 professors and PhD and participated by Hitachi Rail STS.

DITS’s mission is to create a bridge between research and its application in the railway world to improve the quality of the railway system in terms of safety, reliability, sustainability and economic efficiency. DITS transforms academic research into high-tech products and services to support authorities, infrastructure managers, railway companies and industries operating in the railway sector.

Multi-disciplinarity is a key aspect of the company, which employs 15 engineers with expertise in the mechanical, electrical, civil, transport and environmental fields. DITS supports the railway industry in the following areas:

• Railway mechanics
• Rail safety and operation
• Transport engineering

In addition, thanks to many years of experience in university teaching, DITS designs and implements training and further education courses at all levels.

The Railway Engineering specialisation programme is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills required to work effectively, with an integrated system-level perspective, within the Single European Railway Area (SERA). Its primary objective is to move beyond the traditional separation of individual engineering disciplines and promote an understanding of the interdependencies among the different railway subsystems.

The course enables participants to analyse and manage system interfaces and interactions, while aligning their technical expertise with the latest European regulatory framework and the standardised railway terminology promoted by the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA).

The programme begins with the fundamentals of railway engineering, providing the essential system-level concepts needed to understand the common technical language of railway engineering and operations. This methodological foundation is followed by the study of track and fixed installations. Particular attention is given to the design and assessment of track components, including track, switches and crossings, in accordance with the Infrastructure TSI (INF TSI).

These topics are integrated with the study of electrical power supply and traction systems, governed by the Energy TSI (ENE TSI), as well as fixed control-command, signalling and telecommunications installations. Participants also develop familiarity with track inspection, diagnostics and maintenance principles, which are essential for maintaining infrastructure availability and performance.

Railway infrastructure design covers both railway alignment and civil engineering aspects, including track geometry, railway earthworks and supporting structures. This area addresses the design principles and requirements applicable to tunnels, railway bridges and viaducts, with particular attention to structural compliance and the overall stability of civil engineering structures against the performance and load requirements of modern railway lines.

In the field of rolling stock, the course addresses the mechanical and electrical design of railway vehicles in relation to the requirements of the Locomotives and Passenger Rolling Stock TSI (LOC&PAS TSI). The programme examines vehicle structural components, braking systems, and the evolution of traction technologies—from conventional diesel traction to electric and hydrogen powertrains.

Topics include vehicle running dynamics and wheel/rail interaction, with particular attention to contact forces and running stability., enabling participants to understand their relationship with the vehicle authorisation for placing on the market process,with reference, for example, to EN 14363. The course will also cover the principles of railway vehicle maintenance, including with reference to the European regulatory framework which provides for the role of the Entity in Charge of Maintenance (ECM).

Operation planning and management form the operational core of the programme. Participants learn the principles of timetable planning and train composition, taking into account the operational and performance constraints imposed by infrastructure, rolling stock and operational staff.

Through the study of train separation principles and signalling systems—including trackside and on-board systems consistent with the Control-Command and Signalling TSI (CCS TSI) and the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS)—participants develop an understanding of the methods used to assess infrastructure capacity. The programme also covers station layouts and interlocking systems, which are essential for safe route setting and efficient traffic management, in accordance with the principles of the Operation and Traffic Management TSI (OPE TSI).

Finally, the programme places railway engineering decisions within the European railway safety regulatory framework. Participants develop an understanding of the requirements for implementing and managing a compliant Safety Management System (SMS).

The course addresses the role of the National Safety Authorities (NSAs), the application of the Common Safety Methods (CSMs), including the CSM on risk assessment, and the importance of Human and Organisational Factors (HOF) in developing a strong railway Safety Culture.

These elements provide participants with an understanding of the safety management framework that railway undertakings and infrastructure managers must comply  in order to obtain and maintain, respectively, the safety certificate and the safety authorisation required.

The practical value of the Railway Engineering course lies in the ability to apply specialist knowledge within an interconnected railway system, where infrastructure, rolling stock, energy, control-command and signalling, operations and safety continuously interact.

Modern railway engineering challenges rarely belong to a single discipline. A technical decision taken within one subsystem may generate requirements, constraints or performance implications for several other subsystems. The programme therefore promotes the development of a system-level approach to real-world railway engineering problems, with particular attention to interfaces, operational constraints and multidisciplinary decision-making.

Below are some practical examples that help to illustrate why a holistic approach is essential for operating successfully in the railway sector.

Managing Interfaces between Railway Subsystems

One of the most common practical applications involves understanding how a change made to one subsystem may affect the others.

Practical example – Introduction of a new type of train on an existing line.

The assessment is not limited to the geometrical compatibility between the vehicle and the infrastructure. Track loads and characteristics, vehicle dynamic behaviour and wheel/rail interaction, energy supply and current collection, compatibility with control-command and signalling systems, braking performance, platform length, operational characteristics and the resulting impact on infrastructure capacity must all be considered together.

A problem that may initially appear to concern rolling stock alone therefore becomes a railway system integration issue.

Linking Technical Requirements, Performance and Operations

The operation of a train requires requirements from different disciplines to be satisfied simultaneously.

Practical example – Changing the performance characteristics of a railway line.

Increasing the permissible speed on a particular section cannot be assessed solely from an infrastructure perspective. The new operating condition may require checks concerning track geometry, vehicle dynamic performance, braking distances and braking performance, signalling, journey times and timetable structure.

Braking provides a particularly significant example: braked mass, train mass and braked mass percentage contribute to determining the permissible operating conditions and any applicable speed restrictions.

The practical challenge is therefore to reconstruct the chain of technical and operational consequences resulting from a single change.

From Signalling to Capacity and Operational Performance

The relationship between signalling, train separation and infrastructure capacity provides another significant example of the system-level approach developed throughout the course.

Practical example – Reducing headway on a high-traffic railway line.

Operating trains at shorter intervals requires the train control and signalling system to be analysed together with braking curves, train characteristics, speeds, route occupation times, station interlocking systems and timetable structure.

In ERTMS/ETCS, train supervision also uses information relating to the infrastructure, the Movement Authority (MA) and train characteristics to determine and supervise the permitted speed profile.

Railway capacity therefore emerges not as a property of a single subsystem, but as the result of the interaction between infrastructure, vehicles, signalling and operations.

Managing the Technological Evolution of an Existing System

Many railway projects do not start with an entirely new system but require new technologies to be integrated into infrastructure and vehicles already in operation.

Practical example – Migration to a new control-command and signalling system.

Upgrading the on-board system of an existing fleet may require changes to train control equipment, human-machine interfaces, event recording, radio communications and interfaces with existing systems. Such an intervention therefore involves not only technological integration but also interoperability checks, risk management, assessment and authorisation processes, and coordination with infrastructure characteristics.

A technical case described in the supporting documentation provides an example of the range of interventions that may be required on the on-board control-command and signalling subsystem.

This scenario illustrates why railway engineers need to be able to communicate and work effectively with specialists from different engineering disciplines.

From Technical Change to Operational Safety

A technological change does not necessarily end once its technical functionality has been verified. It may also affect operational procedures, staff competencies and the Safety Management System (SMS).

Practical example – Introduction of new operating arrangements associated with ERTMS/ETCS.

A new function or procedure may require an assessment of how the activities of train drivers and traffic management staff will change, which procedures need to be updated, which risks need to be reassessed and what additional training may be required.

The relationship between the evolution of ERTMS, operational rules, their incorporation into the Safety Management System (SMS) and staff training provides a practical example of the interaction between technology, organisation and operations.

The technical issue can therefore be considered along the entire chain:

technological change → interfaces → operational procedures → human and organisational factors → risk management → operational safety.

Addressing Failures and Operational Constraints

System-level thinking becomes particularly important when the railway system is not operating under nominal conditions.

Practical example – Reduced braking capability of a train.

A braking system failure does not concern the vehicle subsystem alone. The residual braking capability must be established, the conditions under which the train may continue its journey must be assessed, the characteristics of the line must be considered and any resulting consequences for speed and operations must be determined.

Analysis of the relevant technical documentation helps to understand how braked mass percentage, line braking characteristics, train composition and speed are closely interdependent.

This provides an effective example of the transition from a local failure to an assessment of its system-level consequences.

Supporting Multidisciplinary Engineering Decisions

The examples above show that the value of the programme does not lie in replacing the specialist expertise required within each individual discipline, but in providing a common technical foundation that enables professionals to understand the system-level consequences of specialist engineering decisions.

This capability can be applied to infrastructure design and modification, the introduction or modification of rolling stock, electrification and signalling projects, operation planning, capacity analysis, maintenance-related activities, and the management of technical and operational changes.

Participants are therefore progressively encouraged to reason according to the following sequence:

requirement → subsystem → interfaces → constraints → performance → operations → risk → safety.

From Specialist Expertise to System-Level Thinking

The practical outcome of the course can be summarised as the ability to move:

from the individual component → to the subsystem → to the interfaces → to operational effects → to the performance and safety of the railway system as a whole.

This capability enables professionals from different disciplines to share a common technical language, better understand each other’s requirements and contribute to multidisciplinary decisions aimed at achieving an interoperable, safe, reliable and efficient railway system.

The Railway Engineering course is designed for engineers, technical specialists and professionals working across different areas of the railway sector who, in addition to their own specialist technical expertise, need to understand the interactions with other subsystems and with the different actors of the railway system.

The railway system is characterised by a highly complex and diversified value chain, involving infrastructure managers, railway undertakings, engineering companies, rolling stock manufacturers, component and system manufacturers, technology suppliers, construction and maintenance contractors, assessment and certification bodies, and specialised service providers.

This ecosystem also includes organisations and professionals involved in safety, interoperability, authorisation, risk assessment and maintenance management processes.

The multidisciplinary structure of the course reflects this diversity of expertise: the programme covers infrastructure and fixed installations, rolling stock and traction systems, infrastructure design, operation planning and management, and Safety Management.

Infrastructure, Track and Civil Engineering Professionals

The course is relevant to engineers and technical specialists involved in the design, construction, renewal, inspection and maintenance of railway infrastructure.

This group includes professionals working on track and track components, railway alignment and track geometry, earthworks, bridges, viaducts, tunnels and other railway civil engineering structures.

The programme can therefore be valuable both for professionals working for infrastructure managers and for those employed by engineering companies, construction contractors, maintenance organisations and specialised suppliers.

Rolling Stock and Traction Systems Professionals

Another important target group consists of professionals involved in the design, construction, integration, verification, commissioning, modification and maintenance of rolling stock.

The course is relevant, for example, to professionals working on vehicle structures, bogies, braking systems, wheel/rail interaction, running dynamics, traction systems and the Train Control Management System (TCMS).

The system-level perspective provided by the course can also benefit manufacturers and suppliers of components and subsystems, enabling them to better understand how their products interact with the overall architecture of the vehicle and the railway system.

Signalling, Telecommunications and Electrification Specialists

The programme is also designed for designers, system engineers, integrators, technical specialists and other professionals working in control-command and signalling, railway telecommunications and electrification.

This includes activities relating to trackside and on-board equipment, train protection and control systems, ERTMS/ETCS, railway communications, electric traction power supply systems and overhead contact lines. In these areas, interfaces with infrastructure, rolling stock and operations are particularly significant.

Railway Operations and Traffic Management Professionals

The course is also intended for professionals involved in operation planning, traffic management, timetable planning, train composition and infrastructure capacity analysis.

The relevant course module addresses operational constraints arising from infrastructure, rolling stock and staff, together with timetable planning, train composition, headway, signalling, interlocking and station layouts.

For these professionals, understanding the technical principles governing the other railway subsystems provides greater insight into the origin of the constraints affecting railway operational performance.

Maintenance, Engineering and Specialised Services Professionals

The course is also relevant to professionals involved in engineering services, diagnostics, maintenance, construction, installation of technological systems, testing and other specialised services for the railway sector.

The increasing integration of railway systems means that even highly specialised organisations need to understand the interfaces between civil engineering structures, track, energy, rolling stock, signalling, operations and safety.

Safety, Assessment, Certification and Authorisation Professionals

Another target group includes professionals involved in Safety Management, risk assessment, conformity assessment, certification, interoperability verification and authorisation processes.

For professionals working in these areas, a cross-disciplinary understanding of infrastructure, vehicles, operations and their interfaces can facilitate the assessment of the system-level implications associated with technical requirements, modifications and assessment processes.

The programme therefore includes a dedicated module covering the European railway safety regulatory framework, the role of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) and the National Safety Authorities (NSAs), the Common Safety Methods (CSMs) and Safety Management Systems (SMS).

Professionals Seeking to Develop a System-Level Perspective

Finally, the course is aimed at young engineers, professionals entering the railway sector, specialists taking on multidisciplinary responsibilities, project engineers, project managers and technical managers, as well as experienced professionals in a specific discipline who wish to broaden their understanding of the railway system.

The common denominator among participants is therefore not a particular professional qualification or membership of a specific type of organisation.

Railway Engineering is designed for professionals across the railway value chain who need to move from specialist knowledge to an integrated understanding of the railway system, developing the ability to recognise the interdependencies between infrastructure, rolling stock, energy, signalling, operations and safety.

This perspective enables professionals to communicate more effectively across different disciplines, manage interfaces, coordinate multidisciplinary activities and contribute to better-informed technical and operational decisions within the European railway system.

The Railway Engineering course provides a multidisciplinary perspective on the railway subsystems and the relationships between them that determine how the railway system operates.

Participants will develop the ability to understand the technical language used across different railway disciplines, identify the main interfaces between subsystems, and interpret the technical and operational implications of engineering decisions with greater awareness.

Learning develops progressively, from the fundamental principles of the railway system to an understanding of the relationships between infrastructure, rolling stock, energy, control-command and signalling, operations and safety.

Understanding the Railway System and its Technical Language

Participants will learn about the main elements of railway infrastructure and vehicles, together with the concepts required to understand their technical characteristics, operation and mutual interactions.

This foundation helps participants develop a common technical language. The first module is specifically dedicated to the fundamental elements of the railway system and to the terminology associated with infrastructure and vehicles.

Understanding Track and Fixed Installations

The course covers the characteristics and functions of the main elements of the infrastructure subsystem, with particular attention to track and track components, including switches and crossings, as well as other elements of the subsystem.

Participants will also explore the principles of fixed installations for electric traction, signalling and telecommunications, together with the fundamental aspects of track maintenance.

The objective is to understand the role played by these components in ensuring the availability and operation of railway infrastructure.

Understanding Railway Vehicle Behaviour and Architecture

In the field of rolling stock, participants will explore the main structural components of railway vehicles, braking systems and the principles governing wheel/rail interaction and running dynamics.

The course also covers diesel, electric and hydrogen traction systems, together with the principles of rolling stock maintenance.

This knowledge helps participants understand how vehicle characteristics interact with infrastructure, energy supply, signalling and operations.

Understanding the Principles of Railway Infrastructure Design

Participants will learn about the main criteria applied to the design of railway lines, including railway alignment, track geometry and the principal elements of civil engineering infrastructure.

The course also addresses railway bridges and viaducts, including their main types and the relevant regulatory aspects.

This makes it possible to relate the physical characteristics of railway infrastructure to vehicle requirements and the performance required for railway operations.

Understanding How Railway Operations Are Planned and Managed

A significant part of the programme is dedicated to the relationship between the technical characteristics of the railway system and operational performance.

Participants will explore the operational constraints arising from infrastructure, rolling stock and staff, together with the principles of timetable planning and train composition.

They will also develop an understanding of the relationships between train headway, signalling systems, interlocking, station layouts and traffic management, gaining insight into the variables that influence the utilisation and capacity of railway infrastructure.

Placing Technical Decisions within the European Railway Safety Framework

The course also introduces the fundamental principles of the European railway safety framework and examines how technical and operational decisions fit within railway safety management processes.

Participants will develop knowledge of the role of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) and the National Safety Authorities (NSAs), as well as the Common Safety Methods (CSMs) and Safety Management Systems (SMS) implemented by the different actors within the railway sector.

Developing an Integrated Understanding of the Railway System

The key learning outcome of the course is the ability to connect knowledge from different railway disciplines.

Participants will therefore be better prepared to understand, for example, how:

infrastructure geometry and characteristics → influence vehicle behaviour → vehicle performance affects operations → signalling and train headway influence infrastructure capacity → technical and operational changes must also be considered from a safety perspective.

In this way, Railway Engineering provides the conceptual tools needed to move from knowledge of an individual technical domain towards a system-level understanding of the railway system, facilitating communication between specialists and supporting effective participation in multidisciplinary projects and decision-making processes.