We have studied the derailment and overturning of railway vehicles at earthquake. Numerical simulation clarified dynamic behaviors and running safety limits of a vehicle on vibrating track. The results of the simulation are now effectively used for the design of railway structures. To confirm the validity of the analysis by simulation, we implemented an experiment by using a half-body car mounted on a Shinkansen bogie which was placed on a vibrating table for structures. In this test, the full-scale vehicle, bogie and wheels jumped from the rail to show various behaviors against vibration, and the simulation analysis agreed with the result.

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