Wheel-rail impact at an insulated rail joint in an embedded rail system

•High-frequency dynamic responses of an embedded rail system (ERS) are reliably predicted.•The FE wheel-rail impact model is rigorously validated with a hammer test and a train pass-by measurement.•Geometric irregularities and train speeds determine the dominant frequencies of the impact vibration of rail joints in the ERS.•The ERS is more impact-resistant than traditional tracks.