Hydraulic Sliding Buffer Stop for Railway End-of-Track Safety

October 21, 2026

Background

Hydraulic Sliding Buffer Stop for Railway End-of-Track Safety

buffer stop is a safety device, preventing rolling stock from overrunning the track terminus. It serves as the safety guardian for metro track termini. As the name suggests, a buffer stop is safety equipment fitted at track termini, to prevent rolling stock from overrunning the terminus in case of runaway. In accordance with the Code for Design of Urban Rail Transit and Code for Design of Metro, buffer stops shall be fitted at track termini. Buffer stops on main lines, turnback lines and test tracks shall withstand impact loads from 15 km/h train impacts. 

We specialize in manufacturing various buffer stops, including hydraulic sliding buffer stops. It features a sound structure, powerful braking force, excellent cushioning performance, high impact speed resistance, simple installation and easy maintenance. These products hold national utility model patents and have been exported to many countries worldwide. We supply buffer stops in a wide range of specifications. Available materials include Q235, Q355, 45#, Q345B, Q345D and 20MnTiB. Custom designs can be tailored to your requirements. Please contact us for your inquiries.

Introduction

Our hydraulic sliding buffer stops are designed for metro, light rail and intercity transit applications, which demand rigorous vehicle protection. They adds a hydraulic cushioning unit to sliding buffer stops, to form a dual hydraulic damping and sliding friction braking mechanism. They can absorb kinetic energy from runaway vehicle impacts, prevent rolling stock from overrunning the track, and safeguard rail vehicles and track infrastructure. They are widely used for terminal protection on metro, light rail and intercity transit termini. It provides better braking performance than fixed buffer stops and protects rolling stock.

Hydraulic Sliding Buffer Stop Components

The hydraulic sliding buffer stop consists of four core components: rubber cushion head, hydraulic buffer unit, main frame and damper.

Hydraulic Sliding Buffer Stop for Railway End-of-Track Safety

1. Rubber cushion head

The rubber buffer head is mounted on the front end of the hydraulic cylinder, and makes direct impact with the vehicle coupler.

2. Hydraulic buffer unit

The hydraulic buffer unit is fitted behind the rubber cushion head, and is mainly a hydraulic cylinder to absorb impacts and deliver cushioning effects.

3. Main frame

The main frame is fabricated of welded steel, acts as an independent load-bearing member, and can serve alone as a standard high-capacity sliding buffer stop.

4. Damper

The damper consists of a cast steel housing, friction seat, spring plate, wedge pin and fasteners: bolts, nuts and spring washers. Through friction between the damper and rail, the buffer stop achieves greater capacity to withstand impact speeds. 

Hydraulic Sliding Buffer Stop, I, II Type Technical Parameters

Technical Specifications

ItemsTechnical Specifications
Maximum Impact Speed15km/h (creeping)
Occupied Track Length15m
Installation Gauge1435⁺⁶₋₂ mm
Installed Rail Type50kg/m, 60kg/m steel rail
Quantity of Buffers1 pcs
Buffer Head Parameters

The buffer head adopts a flat contact face for standard rolling stock. For metro, light rail and other vehicles, we provide customised designs based on coupler dimensions and profiles supplied by the client, to guarantee perfect interface matching between the buffer head and vehicle coupler.

Optional Special FunctionsAnti-climbing function, buffer stop monitoring

Two‑stage Hydraulic Sliding Buffer Stop, I, II Type Technical Parameters

Technical Specifications

ItemsTechnical Specifications
Maximum Impact Speed15km/h | 25km/h (creeping)
Occupied Track Length8m | 15m
Installation Gauge1435⁺⁶₋₂ mm
Installed Rail Type50kg/m, 60kg/m steel rail
Quantity of Buffers2 pcs for Stage 1; 2 pcs for Stage 2
Buffer Head Parameters

The buffer head adopts a flat contact face for standard rolling stock. For metro, light rail and other vehicles, we provide customised designs based on coupler dimensions and profiles supplied by the client, to guarantee perfect interface matching between the buffer head and vehicle coupler.

Optional Special FunctionsAnti-climbing function, buffer stop monitoring

Technical Upgrade Parameters

Technical ParametersThis ProductFixed Hydraulic Buffer StopSliding Hydraulic Buffer Stop
Maximum Impact Speed15km/h | 25km/h10km/h15km/h
Energy Absorption of Hydraulic Buffers≥500kJ≥110kJ≥110kJ
Horizontal Resistance of Each Pair of Dampers≥50kN—≥50kN
Horizontal Resistance of Buffer Stop≥350kN≥90kN≥350kN
Minimum Reserved Installation Distance8m | 15m3m15m | 25m
Buffer Head StructureRubber buffer head + new-type anti-climberRubber buffer headRubber buffer head
Key Technologies AdoptedNew hydro-pneumatic buffer cylinderHigh-friction-coefficient composite material damperTwo-stage sliding damping structureNew anti-climbing deviceHydraulic oil cylinderConventional steel frame anti-collision structureHydraulic oil cylinderCast iron damper

Our Hydraulic Sliding Buffer Stop Working Principle

When a runaway vehicle hits the buffer stop, the coupler first strikes the front rubber cushion. The impact force is transmitted to the hydraulic cylinder. When the cylinder is pressurized, it generates hydraulic damping, absorbing most impact energy. The impact force continues to be transmitted to the main frame and support arms, driving the braking rail to slide along the main rail. The built-in leaf springs develop preload pressure, which creates continuous frictional resistance between the braking rail and the main rail. This resistance dissipates the remaining kinetic energy gradually, bringing the vehicle to a smooth, full stop. After the impact, the hydraulic mechanism resets automatically. The device is reusable and requires no external power. 

Features of Our Hydraulic Sliding Buffer Stops

1. It delivers strong braking capacity and high safety reliability.

2. It adopts a new anti-corrosion process to achieve a long service life.

3. It features a rational structure, simple installation, and easy maintenance and reset.  

Hydraulic Sliding Buffer Stop for Railway End-of-Track Safety

Advantages of Our Hydraulic Sliding Buffer Stops

1.Powerful braking and smooth cushioning:

It delivers two-stage energy absorption, lowers the peak impact force, protects couplers effectively, and minimizes vehicle damage. 

2. Self-powered, No Manual Continuous Control

It requires no external energy, runs on a pure mechanical-hydraulic system, and needs no continuous manual control. 

3. High structural strength and integrally welded main frame

It has high structural strength, uses an integrally welded main frame, and withstands high impact speeds. 

4. Simple installation:

It mounts directly on the main rail, needs no separate concrete foundation, and allows easy maintenance and reset. 

5. Customizable:

We can tailor the cushioning damping and braking stroke to match your vehicle weight and impact speed. 

6. Stable and consistent braking force:

The elastic preloading device applies static preload, maintaining steady resistance throughout the entire braking process.  

Successful cases 

We specialize in the R&D, design and manufacturing of railway track safety protection equipment. We have a team of professional engineers and complete supporting production facilities, we have strong technical strength and sufficient production capacity. The hydraulic sliding buffer stops that we manufacture feature a compact structure, sound mechanical design, simple installation, stable braking, and high safety reliability. Our products are widely used on national railway stub tracks, local industrial sidings, urban metro, light rail and intercity rail transit projects. They serve scenarios including urban metro terminals, freight marshalling yards, and dedicated tracks at steel mills and coal mines. They deliver reliable long‑term service, maintain dependable quality, offer outstanding cost‑effectiveness. Therefore, our products have gained wide recognition from customers at home and abroad. 

Hydraulic Sliding Buffer Stop for Railway End-of-Track Safety

Reliable Railway Buffer Stop Manufacturer 

We are a professional manufacturer integrating R&D, production and sales of railway track safety protection equipment. We supply a full range of railway safety products, including sliding buffer stops, fixed buffer stops, hydraulic and spring buffer stops, anti-runaway and derailment prevention devices, and damping parts with high and low friction coefficients. We can also redesign, modify and customize products to match your site working conditions and fit diverse complex tracks and operating environments. 

We hold ISO9001:2000 certification for the quality management system, implement strict quality control across all production stages, own national utility model patents for multiple products, and deliver reliable products backed by official quality approval. With reliable product performance and comprehensive pre‑sales and after‑sales support, we provide solutions for national railway main lines, urban metro, light rail, intercity transit and factory/mine dedicated lines. We have established long‑term stable ties with design institutes, engineering teams and railway operators. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have requirements. We hope to cooperate with more overseas customers.

Hydraulic Sliding Buffer Stop for Railway End-of-Track Safety

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