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  1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Bachelor's Degrees
  4. Rail Transportation Engineering
  5. Hands-on Education

Senior Projects

In the final semester of the Rail Transportation Engineering (RTE) program at Penn State Altoona, students work in teams to conduct research, design, and build a final project which showcases their four years of railroad engineering education. The capstone course is designed to foster students’ ability to design a railroad-related system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability by using the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice. It also serves to enhance students’ ability to function on multidisciplinary teams and communicate effectively.

Students meet with a technical adviser throughout the semester, submit project proposals, complete weekly reports, give formal presentations including a final presentation and demonstration at the end of the semester, which is open to the public, and finally submit a final project report. Some examples of past student projects are shown below.

Past Projects

Use of Polarized Light to Identify Causes of Failure in Rail

Shelby Stigers, Nathan Harris, George Mukai
Rail Transportation Engineering
Penn State Altoona

RTE Senior Project Photo

Figure 1. Students Harris and Mukai working to construct the stress analysis device

Credit: Penn State
RTE Senior Project Photo

Figure 2. Completed Stress Analysis Device

Credit: Penn State
RTE Senior Project Photo

Figure 3. Comparison of SolidWorks FEA (left) to Device Results (right)

Credit: Penn State
RTE Senior Project Photo

Figure 4. Students Harris, Stigers and Mukai Demonstrating Final Project

Credit: Penn State

Freight Car Airbrake System Demonstration Model

Brice Barrett, Ross Bernard, Danielle Cyran
Rail Transportation Engineering
Penn State Altoona

RTE Senior Project Photo

Figure 1. Schematic of Project Layout

Credit: Penn State
RTE Senior Project Photo

Figure 2. Freight Car Setup

Credit: Penn State
RTE Senior Project Photo

Figure 3. Students Barrett, Cyran, and Bernard Presenting Final Project

Credit: Penn State
RTE Senior Project Photo

Figure 4. Students Bernard, Cyran, and Barrett Demonstrating Final Project

Credit: Penn State

Modeling the Triple Valve Braking System

Aaron Ballish, Danny Belles, Andrew Giardina
Rail Transportation Engineering
Penn State Altoona

RTE Senior Project Photo

Figure 1. CAD Model of Triple Valve

Credit: Penn State
RTE Senior Project Photo

Figure 2. Triple Valve Fail-Safe Brake System Model (K-Type Triple Valve Donated by Steamtown National Historic Site)

Credit: Penn State
RTE Senior Project Photo

Figure 3. Students Belles and Giardina Presenting Final Project

Credit: Penn State
RTE Senior Project Photo

Figure 4. Students Ballish, Belles and Giardina Demonstrating Final Project

Credit: Penn State

Rail Transportation Engineering

  • Request Information about Rail Transportation Engineering
  • Program Overview
  • Degree Information
  • Suggested Academic Plan
  • Program Objectives and Outcomes
  • Enrollment and Graduation Information
  • ABET Accreditation
  • Advisory Board
  • Hands-on Education
    • Field Trips
    • Senior Projects
    • Undergraduate Research
    • Engineering and Business Case Competition
    • AREMA Student Chapter
  • Research
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  • RTE Job Board
  • Women in Engineering Design Competition
  • Tracks to the Future: Summer Camp for High School Students
  • Rail Transportation Engineering Faculty and Staff
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Out-of-Class Learning

Explore out-of-classroom academic experiences that complement in-class learning, including study abroad/study away programs, internships, undergraduate research, and community-based studies.

Find Out More

See Also

  • Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Division of Business, Engineering, and Information Sciences & Technology
Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Altoona highlighted

Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
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Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Welcome from the Chancellor
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • College Leadership
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Robert L. Smith Learning Resources Center
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Center for Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Student Diversity and Inclusion Programming
    • International Student Services
    • Housing
    • Parking
    • Police and Safety
    • Career Services
    • Diversity at Penn State Altoona
  • Research & Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Community-Based Studies
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
    • Hall of Fame
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