Abstract
Rubber is widely used in railway infrastructure and in rolling stock. Rubber pads are used in fastening systems of rail to sleepers and rubber elements are used in the primary suspension of Romanian (and foreign) electric locomotives, in freight and passengers railway cars, metro trains and trams; the trams wheels are built with rubber insertion in order to reduce the vehicle unsprung mass. Also, rubber elastic elements are used in railway vehicles buffers. From these examples it can be seen that the rubber elements are used in the construction of parts which are directly contributing to traffic safety. Keywords: rubber, railway car, suspension, railway safety