New Train Smoothes Out Track : How the ‘Tile Train’ Works

New technology--flexing axles and hydraulic tilting system--enable the X2000 “tilt train” to lean around curves and maintain speeds up to 110 mph. This could cut the 7-hour trip from Santa Ana to San Luis Obispo in half.

The Axles: The rigid axles of a conventional tran keep the wheels straight, even on curved tracks.

The axles of the X2000 flex, and align the wheels with the rails, allowing the train to maintain higher speeds through curves.

Hydraulic tilting system

Speeds up to 40% higher than conventional trains produce greater centrifugal forces. To assure passenger comfort, the X2000 compensates with a car body tilting system. Sensors and microprocessors feed information to the cars, enabling them to tilt appropriately on curves.

Source: ABB Traction Inc.