Abstract: Artificial heating based on a ground source heat pump is a new method for preventing embankment freezing damage in cold regions. This study establishes a steady-state thermal calculation model of a special heat pump employed for embankments. The model can aid in the selection, matching, and optimal design of the key components of the heat pump. A functional relationship between the structural, environmental, and refrigerant-state parameters for four main components, namely the compressor, condenser, restrictor, and evaporator, is established. Four corresponding submodels are developed, and a coupling method between the submodels is also put forward. The algorithm program is compiled using the Python software. The calculation process is as follows: First, the type of compressor and refrigerant is selected, and the heat exchange temperature values are predetermined. Then the above four subroutines are called in turn, the convergence criterion of the subroutine is set based on whether the calculated structural parameter is equal to the target value or not, and the termination criterion is set based on whether the calculated refrigerant-state parameter is equal to the target value or not. When the subroutine cycle calculation reaches the convergence accuracy, the structural parameters of the corresponding components are taken as the optimized design results. As a field demonstration, a heating scheme is designed for the frost embankment of the Jungar-Shenchi Railway to verify the reliability of the calculation program. The results confirm that the heating performance reaches the preset level, thus effectively ensuring the reliability of the embankment heating scheme.