Travelling by rail is considered to be a safe option compared with other types of transport, in terms of the number of accidents. However, there are always opportunities to improve the current safety standards and industrial practices. The aim of this paper is to give a better understanding of the current modelling techniques that could support the design of new railway vehicle structures. The paper highlights the established practices in modelling of proof, fatigue and crashworthiness. It also reviews the state-of-the-art in the modelling of material behaviour, recommends practical modelling solutions that can be used in the railway industry, and demonstrates new modelling techniques for crashworthiness.