Abstract: A model for rail corrugation calculation is proposed. The model is based on a combination of the Non-Hertzian rolling contact theory of wheel/rail systems, the rail material wearing model and the coupling dynamics of vehicle/rail-track in the vertical and lateral directions. A corresponding numerical method is developed. The effects of a lateral dent on highly curved rails on the initiation and development of rail corrugation with an increase in passenger car passage are analyzed. The corrugations on the rails under the 4 wheels of the same bogie when a car passes through the lateral dent are calculated. It is found that instant impact vibrations occur between the wheels and the rails when the passenger car passes through the curved rail with lateral dent, which causes undulatory wear and initiates corrugations on the rail surfaces. The initial corrugations extend along the rail surfaces and their wave-depth increases quickly with more car passage. Wear dents form on the rail surfaces under the 4 wheels in the vertical direction due to the impacts between the wheels and rails. The impact between the front wheels and the rails caused by the dents, causes a fierce impact between the hind wheels and the rails, leading to deeper wear dents on the rail. But the impact between the hind wheels and rails affects the dynamic performance of the front wheels only slightly.