The first integrated railway system in Hungary (“tram-train”) is currently in planning phase, between Szeged and Hódmezővásárhely. The implementation of this system requires a special vehicle which has the ability to operate both on tramway infrastructures and also on conventional railways, and the necessary construction and reconstruction of tracks, as well. Some European manufacturers offer suitable vehicles, which requires a well-planned special wheel profile due to differences on the two types of infrastructure. Examples of mixed-mode wheel profiles are known in the case of existing Tram-Train systems, but for the present circumstances, domestic specialties, the proper shape of the wheel profile has to be developed, taking into account the domestic norms and standards. The main goal of this article is to develop a proper wheel profile geometry for the new Hungarian Tram-Train vehicle, taking into account the current tram and conventional rail wheel profiles, as well as the track infrastructure (e.g. rail profiles, curves, turnouts). The applied tram and conventional rail wheel profiles are now different. Operating a rail wheel profile on the tram network is not possible due to the grooved rails, short radius curves and the special turnout solutions. The running of the tram wheel profile is not proper on the conventional rail network, principally on turnouts, and the higher speed is not favourable as well. Particular care should be taken to the permissible rail and wheel profile with wear, because the wheels have to be able to run on rails worn to the authorized limit.

tram; tram-train; wheel profile; flange; turnout