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Tracks to the Future 2024: Topics
Introduction to Tracks to the Future
Welcome to the Tracks to the Future (T2F) program in Railroad Engineering. The program was initially developed as we came out of the Covid epidemic, andepidemic and offered as a hybrid program combining two days of virtual instruction with two days of on-campus activities. Although Michigan Tech had been running an on-campus program since 2011, the first year of the T2F hybrid program was 2022. T2F was funded through a three yearthree-year grant from the Federal Railroad Administration. The program was initially offered at three partner universities, Michigan Tech, Penn State University-Altoona, and the University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign. In 2023 we added three more universities to the program, California State University-Fresno, the University of South Carolina, and the University of New Mexico. In 2024 we added four more universities, North Dakota State University, the University of Nebraska- Lincoln, Oregon State University, and the University of the District of Columbia. We tweaked the curriculum each year and the materials shown on this site represent the program used in the final year, 2024.
This site was developed for faculty/teachers interested in learning more about the curricula and potentially use some of the materials/activities in their classroom. This site is divided into two basic areas:
Use the side bar menu to navigate to the different modules. Each module opens with a brief description of the content.
Students can also explore the materials, although we highly encourage those eligible to participate in Tracks to the Future to visit our web site and look for the next time it's being offered.
Enjoy the ride on the Tracks to the Future!! If you have further questions on the program, please visit our web site or email rail@mtu.edu.
Railroads, the high tech and environmentally sensitive transportation mode! Don’t believe us? This course will help you learn why railroads remain the most energy-efficient transportation mode and what forms modern railroad track, equipment, and communications/control systems might take. Learn how rail compares with other modes and leads the charge in reducing transportation greenhouse gas emissions! Find out how it all works: classroom/virtual sessions, hands-on activities, and plenty of field visits to all sorts of railroad facilities! See below for description of traditional (on-campus) and hybrid program options.
This site was developed for faculty/teachers interested in learning more about the curricula and potentially use some of the materials/activities in their classroom. This site is divided into two basic areas:
- Modules 1-4 were included in the virtual part of the program, and include lessons, student activities and competitions in virtual environment, and hands on table-top activities.
- Modules 5 and 6 were conducted at the individual campus locations of each partner university. The campus offerings varied somewhat between the different campuses, those shown here were conducted at Michigan Tech.
Students can also explore the materials, although we highly encourage those eligible to participate in Tracks to the Future to visit our web site and look for the next time it's being offered.
Enjoy the ride on the Tracks to the Future!! If you have further questions on the program, please visit our web site or email rail@mtu.edu.
Railroads, the high tech and environmentally sensitive transportation mode! Don’t believe us? This course will help you learn why railroads remain the most energy-efficient transportation mode and what forms modern railroad track, equipment, and communications/control systems might take. Learn how rail compares with other modes and leads the charge in reducing transportation greenhouse gas emissions! Find out how it all works: classroom/virtual sessions, hands-on activities, and plenty of field visits to all sorts of railroad facilities! See below for description of traditional (on-campus) and hybrid program options.
Module 1. What is Rail Transportation
This section will introduce you to the transportation modes, rail
industry jobs and development of rail transportation in the US (and
somewhat beyond).
Module Topics
- Rail Industry Jobs/Careers and Railroad Engineering Programs
- Transportation Modes
- Rail Transportation History
- Rail System Components
- Freight and Passenger Rail Transportation in the U.S. Today
Learning Activities
- Kahoot "Knowledge" Competition for Module 1
- Word Clouds Activities
- Freight Transportation Modes
- Passenger Transportation Modes
- What makes a railroad?
- What makes a passenger train?
- What are the Class 1 railroads in North America?
- What makes a railroad?
Module 2. Rolling Stock and Locomotives
This section will refine the concepts
from the What Is Rail Transportation lesson and focus specifically on
the cars and locomotives used on rail systems
Learning Objectives
- Basic types of rolling stock used on modern North American railroads
- Type of rail car is used for various types of freight
- Basic types of locomotives used on railroads, and where they might be used
- Advances in locomotives and how they might affect future operations
Learning Activities
- Wheel Dynamics
- Build your Bogie
- Kahoot Knowledge Check
Module 3. Freight Operations
This section will provide brief introduction to Freight Operations on the railroad.
Module Topics
- How and what gets shipped by rail between the states
- How freight trains and networks are organized and operated
- What are rail yards and how do they classify rail cars
Learning Activities
- State to State Freight Movements
- Network Operations, Trucks vs Trains
- Freight Rail Terminals
- Classification Yard Sorting Game
Module 4. Passenger Options
This section will introduce you to Passenger Rail Operations,
including Amtrak and Intercity Rail, Commuter Rail, and Rail Transit
operations
Module Topics
- Intercity Rail in the US and traveling between cities with different transportation modes
- High Speed Rail definitions and systems in the US and abroad
- Urban passenger rail modes and systems in the US
Learning Activities
- Let’s Go For a Trip – Comparing Modes
- Passenger Rail Options in Different Countries
- HSR Corridor Comparison
- US Commuter Rail Systems
Module 5. Railway Engineering
This section will introduce you to some of the design and engineering aspects of the rail industry
Module Topics
- Railroad Track structure
- Intermodal operations – Rail vs Trucks and Rail with Trucks
- Resistance between wheels and roads or tracks
- Mag-lev rail systems – Current status and design
- Rail car capacity by weight and by volume
Learning Activities
- Train Resistance
- Rail Car Size and Weight - Cubing vs Taring
- Mag-lev cars
- Intermodal operations game
Module 6. Railway Operations
This module will reinforce the concepts you learned in the Freight
Operations and Passenger Operations modules using hands on activities at
your assigned university.
Module Topics
- Module Topics
- Mainline railroad operations and dispatching
- Track structure
- Computer simulations
Learning Activities
- Computer simulation
- Wooden Track Operations
- Intermodal Game
- Passenger Operations Experience