railwielen

Railwielen (Dutch for railway wheels) are the wheels used on railway vehicles to run on steel rails. They are typically mounted in pairs on an axle to form a wheelset, which supports the vehicle’s weight and transfers load to the track. The wheel’s tread makes contact with the railhead, and most designs include a flange on the inner edge to guide the wheel through curves and past switches. The wheel profile is often conical or semi-conical, which helps the wheel center itself on the rail and provides self-steering forces during motion.

Most railwielen are made of steel and manufactured to specific profiles and hardness to resist wear. The tread is hardened to minimize abrasion, and the flange is designed to withstand occasional contact with the rail. Different rail systems may use varying materials and profiles; tram and light-rail wheels, for example, sometimes employ different surface treatments to reduce noise or wear. In addition to standard wheels, some systems use coated or treated surfaces to address corrosion or noise concerns.

Maintenance of railwielen focuses on wear, profile accuracy, and structural integrity. Rolling contact gradually reduces wheel diameter and alters the profile, which can affect straight-line stability and bearing noise. Wheels are periodically inspected and re-profiled or replaced as needed. Re-profiling machining restores the intended wheel profile, while severe wear or cracks require wheel replacement. Safety standards specify permissible tolerances, inspection intervals, and testing procedures to ensure reliable interaction between wheels and rails.