Use of the flank

Train sides can be made of different materials: steel or light alloy. They are the side covering or supporting parts to which windows and/or entrance doors are integrated.

Depending on their length, they are constructed in different ways. For example, if the length of the sides is long, as is the case with three-axle or bogie vehicles, they are constructed as reinforced beams, i.e. the profiles are reinforced with struts and tie rods.

If, on the other hand, they have a more limited length, as in nominal two-sided vehicles, they are intended to keep the rooms in an invariable position in relation to the chassis, allowing only vertical movement.