How Trains Stay On Track And Make Turns

Most people just assume that it’s the flanges that forces the train to make turns. And that that’s what people hear when the train screeches during a turn. But that can’t be true, since the friction from the flange hitting the rail would be like stepping on the breaks. As it turns out, it’s the tapered design of train wheels that keep it on track. In other words, the wheel itself is actually thicker on the inside compared to the outside, giving it a coned shape when looked at from the front. So whenever a train enters a curved section, inertia will force the outer wheels to rotate on its thicker side allowing it to turn the other way. It’s a bit difficult to picture what’s going on inside your head. So we made a video to make things easier for you!
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#trains #howtrainsstayontrack #wheel

[@EdwardChan.999]

I'm playing Scrap Mechanic vanilla and don't have access to train wheels. After watching this video, I tried using a double wheel and force the outer wheel to travel slower than the inner wheel. I put the vehicle on two beams and bam! A train! Thanks a lot for showing the physics behind train wheels, it really helped!
Note: only the inner wheels are in contact with the train track on straight sections.

[@StickScience]

Saw game play of Scrap Mechanic before. Happy to have helped!!

[@anandpatel1074]

Thanks to Richard Feynman for bringing me here

[@raitalal1749]

Same mate

[@mzainali8651]

Me too

[@ItsDanKReviews]

You should have way more views, great video

[@StickScience]

Thanks, your support keeps us going!

[@Bassotronics]

It’s a mistake saying that flanges never take part in trains taking turns. The screeching sound you hear when the train takes turns *is* the flange. Many railroads use flange greasers to avoid the noise and helps reduce wear.
The tapered wheel design helps keep the wheels centralized and yes helps avoid flange touching rails on curve but once a curve reaches a certain radius, the tapered wheel design is useless and the flanges start to rub.
It’s especially noticeable on subway trains.
The “howling” sound that accompanies the flange squeal is the axel of the wheel set when the outer and inner wheels skid on the very sharp turns.

[@notgreat307]

I'm here because the thought randomly popped in my head.

[@llayashree3974]

awesome!! thanks for your explanation! it really helped.

[@smurug85]

Great!!!

[@apersunthathasaridiculousl1890]

that helped a lot

[@raverwater1]

thank you!! always wondered about this

[@StickScience]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dopaminedeficent]

Great work man

[@StickScience]

Appreciate it!

[@sslaw1975]

Tapered is pronounced with a long a sound as in tape, cape or ape.

[@TheUkey79]

What about sharp turns?

[@Afaqueahmed1000]

Viewed 😍

[@allisondonohoo3327]

That noise at the beginning was LOUD AF

[@trueindian887]

But how can both wheeka turn at same rpm w/o slipping?

[@DanielNorton]

Because of the tapered (pr. TAPE-erd) wheel, the diameter (and circumference) changes where the wheel contacts the rail.

[@coltenhunter177]

Awesome video but it’s pronounced
“tAy-purd” not “tap-purd” 👍

[@StickScience]

Thanks for the input. Glad you enjoyed the video!!

[@kevrides5706]

@@StickScience came here to offer help with the pronunciation as well.
Great video!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about pronunciation in the future.

[@husseymangtv]

So trains are literally just preventing derailment on legit every turn? Lmao

[@EricLDunn]

OMG! NOOOOO!!!!!
You don't have to figure out how to turn the wheels different.
Your video doesn't explain where the turning force comes from. Entering the curve, the the wheel on the inside is trying to turn slower than the outer wheel. The outer wheel is trying to turn faster than the inner wheel.
This generates the turning force and centers the axle on the rails.

[@allisvanity9686]

OMG! YESSSSSS!!!!! It's called inertia as the video explained. Perhaps you need to watch it again and listen intently.