The invention discloses a semi-active electromagnetic particle damping shock absorber for a railway vehicle, and belongs to the technical field of vehicle shock absorption. A certain shock absorption effect is achieved on transverse vibration and longitudinal vibration while vertical shock absorption is provided. The semi-active electromagnetic particle damping shock absorber comprises an upper cover plate type connector, a lower cover plate type connector, a rubber spherical hinge, pin shafts, an external round spring, a shell, shock absorption particles, wear-proof metal separation layers and inductance coils. The shell is divided into an upper groove and a lower groove, the wear-proof metal separation layers are arranged in the upper groove and the lower groove, the shock absorption particles of a certain volume and lubrication oil of a certain amount are arranged in the separation layers, and the inductance coils are arranged in the wear-proof metal separation layers and the grooves. The upper connector is fixedly connected with one end of the shell. The lower connector and the other end of the shell are welded. The rubber spherical hinge and the pin shafts are assembled, and the shock absorber and a bogie are connected together according to standards. Through the damping effect generated by collisions between the particles and collisions between the particles and the wall of the shell, vibration transmission from wheels to a framework is rapidly attenuated, and the good shock absorption effect in different directions is achieved. Meanwhile, the size of an electrification magnetic field can be changed according to changes of a running line, then the damping value of the shock absorber is changed, semiautomatic control over the damping effect is achieved, high reliability and large safety redundancy are achieved, and the semi-active electromagnetic particle damping shock absorber adapts to various severe environments.