Abstract
This paper investigates the interaction between rolling stock and railway track during the emergency braking of a passenger train. A detailed simulation model of a train consisting of a locomotive and twenty passenger cars was developed in the Universal Mechanism software environment. The model accounts for longitudinal, lateral, and vertical vibrations, as well as nonlinear elastic couplings and random track irregularities. Simulation results show that the estimated braking distance is 583 m, which complies with current regulatory standards. The analysis of coupler forces revealed that braking is generally shockless due to buffer devices, except at the locomotive-first car connection. Derailment is possible only under severe track irregularity conditions, while displacement of the rail-sleeper lattice caused by increased transverse forces does not result in derailment. The findings contribute to improving railway safety assessment and support the development of intelligent monitoring and warning systems for modern “smart train” applications.