Railway Infrastructure

Cables in the railway sector are used to transmit electricity, organize signaling and communication at infrastructure facilities, and are also used in rolling stock — locomotives and cars.
Types of cables for railway infrastructure:
Power lines — are designed to transmit electricity from power sources, such as traction substations, to various consumers. These include:

High‑voltage cables for powering traction substations, designed to withstand overloads and resistant to short circuits.
Cables with a smaller cross‑section for lighting stations, platforms and crossings, featuring enhanced protection against moisture, ultraviolet radiation and mechanical damage.
Cables for heating switch rails and other infrastructure elements prone to icing, characterized by high heat resistance and resistance to temperature cycles.

Control and control cables are used in signaling, centralization, and blocking (SCB) systems. They ensure the transmission of control signals to traffic lights, switches, and track condition sensors, and are also used in automated train traffic control systems, equipment monitoring, and data transmission.

Communication cables provide telephone and dispatch communication between stations and trains, as well as data transmission for traffic control, infrastructure monitoring, and passenger information.

Specialized cables are designed to operate under specific conditions. These include cables with silicone insulation for use at high temperatures, products with an oil- and gasoline-resistant sheath for installation near engines and fuel systems, as well as flexible cables for mobile connections.
Examples of cable brands for railway infrastructure

MF is a contact wire designed for electrified railways. It is produced in three cross‑sectional areas: 85, 100 and 120 mm².
SBVG is a multi‑core signal and blocking cable. Each core is insulated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and the cable itself is protected by a PVC sheath. The cross‑section of the cores varies from 0.9 to 1 mm².
PPSRM is a cable used for laying in railway cars. It consists of several conductors, insulated and covered with protective layers.

Basic requirements
Cable products used in railway transport must comply with GOST standards, technical specifications (TS), and European EN standards. Key requirements include:

Reliability refers to resistance to mechanical loads, vibrations, and corrosion, as railway lines often run through areas with challenging natural and climatic conditions.
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is the resistance to powerful electromagnetic interference generated during the operation of traction electrical equipment and communication systems. Shielded cables are used to protect against interference.
Enhanced safety requirements — especially for cables installed inside rolling stock, where strict standards for fire safety and material toxicity apply.

Routing rules

The cables are placed within the railway right‑of‑way, laid in the ground outside the boundaries of the track bed. Other solutions are permitted only with technical or economic justification and upon agreement with the infrastructure owner.
The route of the track is selected taking into account future development — the construction of additional tracks, drainage systems, and other facilities at the sections and stations.
Under limited conditions, cable laying directly in the subgrade is permitted upon agreement.
In areas with mobile or unstable soils, cables with wire armor are used, or measures are taken to reduce mechanical loads—for example, by reinforcing the soil with sheet piles or pile structures.

The installation of railway cables is carried out in accordance with the requirements of SP 244.1326000.2015. The laying can be carried out in a closed manner (in gutters or cable ducts), in an open manner (on supports or under ceilings), or underground — in channels and trenches using reinforced concrete trays. When cables are placed in technical buildings and office premises, the installation of separate grounding conductors is additionally provided.