Condition optimization for organizing the operation of connected trains on an ongoing basis on the Trans-Siberian Railway of the Eastern operational range of the railway network

A target function has been developed for solving the problem of increasing the carrying capacity of loaded lines by organizing the motion of connected (double) trains on an ongoing basis, providing for the minimization of investment and operating costs. Conditions of constant circulation of connected trains on the Skovorodino—Smolyaninovo line section of the Trans-Siberian Railway, where the prospective freight flows exceed the available carrying capacity, are considered. All solutions are designed especially for this section. It is taken into account that the main investments for the implementation of the new method are related to the development of stations for working with connected trains, as well as to strengthening the power supply system for driving connected trains of double mass. Additional operating costs are determined by the need to perform various technological operations with connected trains. Estimated number of connected trains N расч has been established to ensure the required long-term carrying capacity. In order to save costs, the value of N расч is minimized on the basis of comparing the values of the maximum possible number of connected as well as single trains with the required carrying capacity on different sections of the line. The article considers methodology for the placement of stations for connecting/disconnecting trains, maximally combined with stations for changing locomotive crews, which provides savings in investment and operating costs. The optimal one was chosen from three possible options of such stations placement. Two schematic diagrams of stations for connecting/disconnecting trains are considered — with sequential and parallel execution of operations. It is shown that the minimization of costs is ensured by the sequential (flow) execution of these operations. In order to save investments, the development of a technical design for the implementation of a new method should provide the possibility of using auxiliary stations for connecting/disconnecting trains and changing locomotive crews of auxiliary stations with more favorable topographic conditions and the location of the station buildings for its development. Specific proposals on this issue are given for the considered line section of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Taking into account the current provisions, a method has been developed for calculating the operating fleet of locomotives handling connected trains, the size of which is minimized. Organization of the dr