Railway-News eMagazine Issue 4 2022 - Rolling Stock

The latest news & reviews from the industry

Railway-News M

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Inside: H2goesRail – On the Way to the Hydrogen Age. . . p.6 Marc-André Sahba from Deutsche Bahn and Jochen Steinbauer from Siemens Mobility provide insights into the two companies’ joint project that looks at bringing hydrogen to the rail sector.

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AusRAIL 2022. . . p.10

ISSUE FOUR 2022: ROLLING STOCK

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Letter from the Editor

the project, discussing challenges, goals and motivations.

For this issue we are also taking a look at AusRAIL 2022, which will take place in Brisbane, Australia next month. Read our feature to find out about all the interesting panel discussions and talks taking place at the conference and exhibition.

Dear Readers, For our last rail magazine of the year, we’ve revamped our format!

Previously we’ve covered the whole industry in one single magazine – quite a tall order and increasingly challenging given our magazine’s popularity. As a result, we’ve made the decision to give each major area its own magazine. They are: Rolling Stock, Data & Monitoring, and Track & Infrastructure.

You’re currently reading our Rolling Stock magazine, but please also enjoy our Data & Monitoring magazine and our Track & Infrastructure magazine.

As per usual, we open with a feature editorial. In this issue, you can read all about the H2goesRail project, a joint project between Siemens Mobility and Deutsche Bahn. Speaking at InnoTrans, Marc-André Sahba, DB Overall Project Manager H2goesRail, and Jochen Steinbauer, Platform Director H2 Technologies for Regional Trains at Siemens Mobility, provide insights into

Our Rolling Stock feature section shines a spotlight on industry developments and innovations within that area.

For example, Cummins discusses the highlights of its recent hydrogen event, while Texelis provides an interesting look at the history of rubber-tyred metro systems as well as their particular advantages.

We hope you love the new format.

Please do get in touch with your thoughts. If you would like our rail news straight to your inbox, make sure you’re subscribed to us here. As always, if you want to be featured on our site or in our e-magazine, please email Andrew Lush or call +44 7432 725001. If you enjoy our website and magazine, you might also be interested in our sister sites – Bus-News, Future TransportNews and Airport Industry-News.

Our first Railway-News magazine of 2023 will be published on 28 February.

Josephine Cordero Sapién, editor-in-chief

Meet the Team!

ANDREW LUSH

Director al@a2bglobalmedia.com

JOSEPHINE CORDERO SAPIÉN Editor-in-chief jcs@a2bglobalmedia.com

NICOLA BROWN

Head of Sales nb@a2bglobalmedia.com

ZOE GRIFFEY

Head of Design zg@a2bglobalmedia.com

LAURA KINGDOM

Head of Client Accounts lk@a2bglobalmedia.com

a2b Global Media Ltd The Generator Hub, The Gallery Kings Wharf The Quay, Exeter EX2 4AN

Office: +44 (0)1392 580002 Mobile: +44 (0)7432 725001 Email: info@railway-news.com Website: railway-news.com

To subscribe to our newsletter, visit railway-news.com/subscribe COVER: © Siemens Mobility & © Sydney Metro

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As part of our Railway-News Issue Four 2022 series we’ve also published the following magazines:

Data & Monitoring In our interview with Icomera and GoMedia, we explore Visor, an accessibility solution that helps the blind and visually impaired navigate railway stations independently using low-tech hardware and high-tech software.

Read it here.

Track & Infrastructure Under Construction: Sydney Metro West: find out about this ‘once-in-a-century’ investment, its current construction status and recent milestones.

Read it here.

Features p.6 H2goesRail – On the Way to the Hydrogen Age Marc-André Sahba from Deutsche Bahn and Jochen Steinbauer from Siemens Mobility provide insights into the two companies’ joint project that looks at bringing hydrogen to the rail sector.

p.10 AusRAIL 2022 A look at what’s in store at this year’s AusRAIL, which will take place in Brisbane next month.

p.13 Rolling Stock Directory A directory of railway suppliers for rolling stock. Read about all the latest innovations and product developments in the rail sector.

Components & Materials

p.14

Traction & Power Supplies

p.17

Accreditation & Certification

p.27

Manufacturing & Maintenance Equipment

p.30

Design p.31 Testing & Measuring Equipment

p.35

Train Interiors p.41

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CONTENTS

Issue Four 2022: Rolling Stock

H2goesRail – On the Way to the Hydrogen Age Hydrogen was on everyone’s lips at InnoTrans this year, being described as “the new sexy” during the opening ceremony.

And indeed, every major rolling stock manufacturer was at the event presenting their version of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered rail vehicle.

for Regional Trains at Siemens Mobility GmbH, and Marc-André Sahba, DB Overall Project Manager H2goesRail at Deutsche Bahn AG.

One of the panel discussions held at InnoTrans this year was ‘Global Hydro Generation – H2goesRail – On the Way to the Hydrogen Age’, with panellists Jochen Steinbauer, Platform Director H2 Technologies

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During the discussion, the panellists explained why it was important to pursue hydrogen traction technology:

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We are dealing with massive climate change so we need to act We can’t just have one solution or just one company working on a solution

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This led to the launch of the H2goesRail project, a collaboration into hydrogen traction technology between Siemens Mobility and Deutsche Bahn, investigating hydrogen rolling stock, green hydrogen generation and refuelling, as well as the maintenance of hydrogen trains.

Deutsche Bahn has said it wants to be climate-neutral by 2040, using a portfolio of solutions. Electrifying more railway lines is one of those solutions, but so too is hydrogen, for longer regional trips for example.

© Siemens Mobility

This goal requires Deutsche Bahn to prepare: it needs the vehicles, it needs the hydrogen infrastructure and it needs to be able to maintain these new vehicles.

In 2017 the discussion was, “what is the right tech?” Jochen Steinbauer said. “Hydrogen or battery? We’re not sure, so let’s explore both.” In 2020, the aim had become: let’s bring this to a train and a fuelling station. And hence, the joint project was born. The project timeline is that “The vehicle and the associated infrastructure will begin testing in passenger service from the start of 2024,” Marc-André Sahba said.

The Train At this point, Siemens Mobility already had its electric Mireo train. But developing a hydrogen version was a big challenge, Jochen Steinbauer said. For instance, hydrogen trains need to have a long range and so lots of storage is needed. This and the battery increase the vehicle’s axle load and that was an issue that needed

solving. For the Mireo Plus H, the hydrogen version of the Mireo, Siemens Mobility used lightweight, compact fuel cells and made sure to be as efficient as possible, for instance by using the waste heat generated by the fuel cell.

Furthermore, both the battery and the hydrogen versions of the Mireo are shorter than the regular Mireo because of the axle load.

A Learning Process Marc-André Sahba: “We wanted to do a one-year test phase in passenger service in order to really understand the sticking points, the limits, how does the vehicle behave at different temperatures and under different conditions. That means we had to ensure that we built up the hydrogen infrastructure where we needed it. We decided not to haul green hydrogen around on diesel lorries. We want to produce it locally, where we are going to fuel the trains. This infrastructure just didn’t exist.

“It wasn’t possible to realise the

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fuelling times that are necessary for replacing diesel. It takes around 15 minutes to fully refuel a vehicle.

This is a very technical process.

This is also a new thing for the testing industry. There’s a lot of technology that goes into this process. And further, because of the mobile nature of the refueller, it’s important that there’s a sufficient quantity available and that it’s suitably compressed.

“We always want to be competitive with diesel technology. That means we have to ensure that refuelling times are equivalent. That means fast refuelling.”

Isn’t Hydrogen Extremely Flammable?

Marc-André Sahba: “That’s a really frequent question. It feels justified.

In my view, hydrogen isn’t more dangerous. It’s just different. It’s a gaseous medium, compared to diesel, which is a liquid. Hydrogen is lighter than air, so it behaves differently. But I think the key point is that we ensure technically that

the intersections and individual elements in order to build up our know-how. Alongside this we have additional tenders and contracts that are becoming active, we’re rolling out more fleets; the RheinMain Verkehrsverbund has an Alstom iLint fleet that we’ll be operating this year. In that case we’re talking about the operation and maintenance of the fleet.

And all of these projects aim at us becoming experts at the three different elements.”

Where Will H2goesRail Get Its Hydrogen From?

Left: Jochen Steinbauer Right: Marc-André Sahba

the vehicle is truly tight. Taking that as our starting point, we can then ask: what steps do I have to take during maintenance? What maintenance processes can I perform without any hydrogen detectors? What precautions do I have to take when I open the hydrogen system, i.e. when the hydrogen system is no longer tight?

We’ve got test institutes on board who we’re consulting, where we can say, ‘these are the dangers of the vehicle, these are the dangers around the infrastructure, these are potential dangers coming from the refuelling station. We’re thinking holistically, and that includes our safety considerations.”

The Role of Digitalisation in Hydrogen Technology Jochen Steinbauer: “In order for

the vehicle to be refuelled quickly, it must communicate with the infrastructure. You all know this from your physics lessons: when the pressure goes up, the temperature does. The temperature in the tank mustn’t exceed a certain limit.

That means if I’m fuelling a vehicle quickly with high pressure, the temperature in the vehicle’s tank will rise. At some point the vehicle will communicate ‘it’s getting too warm!’ and this information must be passed on to the infrastructure so that it reduces the pressure of the refuelling process somewhat.

That’s exactly this digital communication that Deutsche Bahn and Siemens Mobility are developing.”

How about Other Projects?

Marc-André Sahba: “The project purpose is for us to understand

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Marc-André Sahba: “Currently hydrogen is still more expensive than diesel. 62 percent of Deutsche Bahn’s traction electricity currently comes from renewables. We want to increase that to 100 percent by 2038 so that we can be climateneutral by 2040. In our H2goesRail project we’re going to manufacture the hydrogen from green electricity. […] There are different options. One is local production via electrolysis or there are supply solutions. These will become established.”

What’s the Prognosis for the Future?

Marc-André Sahba: “We see a clear tripartite solution: insofar as you can electrify, insofar as it makes sense in terms of the infrastructure costs and the number of vehicles on a line, we should electrify and we’re going to push ahead with that but we’ll never achieve a 100-percent electrified network. We’ll always have lines that aren’t electrified.

The first alternative when it comes to new vehicles is to look at battery

technology in order to cover the sections that don’t have overhead lines as long as the battery vehicle’s capacity is good enough to cover these routes. Unfortunately, battery vehicles are quite limited when it comes to their range capacity. And that’s the area of deployment for hydrogen vehicles: longer regional routes that can be reliably operated.

In our view, batteries are quite temperature-dependent and we have to ensure we can get safely from A to B and so we have to stick within certain distance limits.

Depending on who you ask that could be 100km, it could be more, but even there the technology will continue to develop. Even so, there will be routes that battery vehicles won’t be able to cover.”

Jochen Steinbauer: “There will be competition and competition will create a market. Many customers will now have the confidence to put out tenders for hydrogen

vehicles. That’s one aspect. The other is that in three, four, five years, more hydrogen will be available in Germany and Europe.

That means the price of hydrogen will drop. Then it’s a question of cost-effectiveness. If you compare the three different kinds of traction vehicles at the moment: diesel, battery, hydrogen vehicles, battery vehicles currently have the advantage over diesel, but if the price of hydrogen drops, the pendulum will swing towards hydrogen. I think we still need to be a bit patient. But I think it’s difficult to make a precise prediction about battery and hydrogen technology.”

“Deutsche Bahn is tech open and so we’re preparing for both [battery and hydrogen].

The main goal is to get away from diesel.”

Marc-André Sahba, DB Overall Project Manager H2goesRail

Technological Development

when we will say goodbye to the last diesel train, Jochen Steinbauer was clear: hydrogen technology is currently where diesel technology was in 1910. There is so much potential and the same is true for battery technology so the race between the two will continue.

In recent years, the energy density of batteries has increased tenfold. Regarding how long we will continue to see hybrid vehicles and

Marc-André Sahba agreed: “Deutsche Bahn is tech open and so we’re preparing for both. The main goal is to get away from diesel.”

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Where: Brisbane, Australia When: 5-7 Decemeber 2022 AusRAIL is the national conference and exhibition of the Australasian Railway Association (ARA), “organised annually to bring the industry together to engage on key issues in the rail industry”.

AusRAIL 2022 will take place at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, in Brisbane, Australia from 5 to 7 December. It is set to see more than 2,000 attendees, 60+ speakers and 90+ exhibitors.

Speaking about this year’s event, Caroline Wilkie, ARA CEO said: “I am so delighted to welcome you to Brisbane to celebrate AusRAIL 2022. After a tumultuous two years, AusRAIL 2022 will bring together industry en masse to celebrate,

network, discuss and engage on the latest issues facing our sector.

With borders open and a long lead time to prepare, we expect a large Australian and international cohort to attend AusRAIL in Brisbane 2022.”

What’s in Store This Year?

The event will kick off with welcome drinks on the first day along with pre-conference technical tours and workshops, before the AusRAIL exhibition opens fully on 6 December. The Chair of the Australasian Railway Association, Danny Broad, and Minister Catherine King from the

Background Image: Brisbane © Lachlan Fearnley under licence

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Commonwealth Government will give the welcome address.

Following that event, Alstom will host a panel discussion, entitled ‘Industry Leaders Setting the Scene’.

It will be chaired by Caroline Wilkie, CEO of the Australasian Railway Association.

Over the course of the day there will be many concurrent talks and panel discussions, covering a wide breadth of topics such as sustainability, asset management, the energy transition to solar, effective knowledge transfer, synthetic fuels, predictive maintenance, signalling and pandemic effects such as getting passengers back to the rail network

© CAF

and testing and commissioning a train during the pandemic.

the Practical Role Rail Can Play in the Future of Mobility’.

on ‘Heavy Haul – Collaborating for Shared Innovation’.

The day will be rounded off by the panel discussion ‘Addressing industry resilience when one in one hundred year weather events have become the norm’. The panellists for this event will include Benedicte Colin, CEO of Transport Asset Holding Entity of NSW, and Murray Cook, CEO of ARC Infrastructure.

The plenary session will be completed by a panel discussion on priority rail safety issues.

The event’s final plenary session will focus on the future of the SEQ rail network, and the West Australian rail transformation, and feature a panel discussion on ‘Achieving Operational Excellence’, chaired

by Rochelle Reynolds, Executive Director Operations, V/Line.

The final day of the conference will open with the Young Rail Professionals breakfast.

During the first plenary session of the day, Caroline Wilkie will give an update on the Australasian Railway Association. Graeme Newton, CEO of Cross River Rail, will give a keynote presentation, as will Andrew Barr, CEO of Hitachi Global.

The latter talk is entitled ‘Hitachi Rail – Innovations, Successes and

The second plenary session will address how to establish and deliver the National Rail Manufacturing Plan and hold a panel discussion

Supplier Spotlight Supplier

Stand

Frausher Sensor Technology 86-91 Hitachi

48-49,52-53 Nokia 20-23 Pandrol 95-98 STAUFF 183-184

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See our new video: GGT-GearSaver® Condition Monitoring System

Directory Components & Materials

Stäubli p.14

Traction & Power Supplies Premium PSU p.17 Cummins p.20 Texelis p.23 Wikov p.26

Accreditation & Cerftification Výzkumný Ústav Železniční, a.s. p.27

Manufacturing & Maintenance Equipment Virtek Vision p.30

Design SEKISUI KYDEX p.31 Yellow Window p.34

Testing & Measuring Equipment Hexagon | NEXTSENSE p.35 Astronics p.38

Train Interiors Camira p.41 Texat decor engineering AG p.42 Trispel p.44 Tiflex/Treadmaster p.47

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Directory

Stäubli Launches EvoTrak Family New Light Rail Vehicle Modular Connectors for Safer Travel

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henever high currents need to be safely transmitted via an electrical connection, Stäubli Electrical Connectors has provided pioneering solutions for the global railway industry.

The Swiss company’s modular connectors are designed to last the life of a train. Recently, Stäubli launched the new EvoTrak product family with leading-edge products for light rail vehicles. Alexandre Lagrange talks about the reasons for this significant step in the company’s history.

Question: Your most popular solution in the railway industry has been the MPC (Modular Power Connector). Will the launch of the new EvoTrak family result in any changes in your proven product portfolio?

Alexandre Lagrange: Historically, our focus was on the market for larger railway vehicles. Our triedand-tested product portfolio of modular, robust connectors is fieldproven.

The MPC is ideal for connecting power equipment in rolling stock such as high-speed trains, regional trains or locomotives. Stäubli is very

close to the market and has seen an increasing demand for reliable power connections for light rail vehicles (LRVs). Before developing a new product, we sit down with operators and train manufacturers to learn more about their needs.

The insights we gathered helped us understand the actual technical requirements. Based on these market requirements, our engineers set to work and designed a connector system dedicated to medium-power rail vehicles, the EvoTrak lite.

For better visibility of our extended portfolio, Stäubli decided to create a new product family, the EvoTrak family. Our latest medium-power product range is called EvoTrak lite. The existing MPC range is now called EvoTrak MPC. Q: With the new EvoTrak lite you launched an interesting solution for the LRV segment. What is unique about this connector range?

EvoTrak lite by Stäubli Electrical Connectors is a modular metal connector perfectly designed to meet the size constraints of light rail vehicles and the demanding requirements of the rolling stock market

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AL: The innovative EvoTrak lite is ideal for medium-power, up to 1500V, applications. Compared to the EvoTrak MPC, this new range EvoTrak lite will be perfect for lower cable cross-sections of up to 70mm². In addition, this connector

Components & Materials The Stäubli EvoTrak product family offers a consistent product portfolio for the entire traction chain for all types of rolling stock with the well-known, field-tested EvoTrak MPC (formerly MPC) and EvoTrak lite

type fulfils the IP2X standard, especially when talking about battery applications.

Q: Can you give us more details on the innovative PMM features and EMC management?

AL: Stäubli is the first supplier in the market to develop this type of connector with metallic modules and pole segregation. This is key because the new generation of motors with permanent magnet technology uses current return to reduce consumption. In case of a short circuit somewhere along the traction line, the worst case is a fire on the train and the converter being destroyed. With the EvoTrak lite and its segregated poles, a short circuit is directly sent to earth via the car body connection throughout the period needed until the train stops, thereby avoiding the arcing continuing. The result is safely earthed system protection along the traction chain. Therefore, in the event of a short circuit no further current is sent back to the converter. Our connector acts like a fuse. It protects the overhead line and prevents major damage to the power converter.

The innovative EMC management is a great relief for the operator. On trains, the quantity of signal and data wires increases a lot to allow more and more communication between all onboard systems and between trains and the external environment (predictive maintenance, ERTMS, etc).

Power cables used with our connectors integrate a metallic braid to manage the electromagnetic field around them and to prevent them from interacting with the signal cables.

To be effective, this protection must be in place along the entire power chain, including our connectors. With EvoTrak lite, we propose a patented solution for a shielded cable application that permits an easy and secure cable braid connection compared to the standard market solutions.

Q: Stäubli products are tested according to the highest requirements. What are the standards? Can you give us a more detailed insight?

AL: Both the operator and

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passengers benefit from highly reliable products. Certified products according to the highest standards such as EN 50467, EN 61373, or EN 45545 are part of the answer. Our connectors are tested according to criteria such as reliability and robustness. Stäubli is internally equipped with a test laboratory specifically for railway applications.

We are proud to report that the IRIS certification ISO TS 22163 has recently been renewed at our Railway Competence Center in Hésingue, France.

Q: How will the EvoTrak family develop in the future?

AL: Being a global industry partner for more than 30 years, Stäubli Electrical Connectors is always in close contact with its customers. Stäubli is a supplier of both standard and customised connector solutions. We also offer end-to-end solutions for the entire traction chain. Our modular EvoTrak family is therefore bound to grow.

Several exciting future products are planned to extend the power connectors portfolio.

Click or scan the QR code to find out more about Stäubli

Alexandre Lagrange Railway Product Manager, Stäubli Electrical Connectors Alexandre Lagrange, Product Manager Railway at Stäubli Electrical Connectors presenting the new EvoTrak lite at InnoTrans 2022 in Berlin

Thank you for the interview, Mr. Lagrange.

Alexandre Lagrange is Railway Product Manager for Stäubli Electrical Connectors with more

than 12 years of experience in the railway connectors industry.

Connect with him on LinkedIn, for a more in-depth exchange.

Click here to watch our video.

a.lagrange@staubli.com +33 6 73 68 96 87 staubli.com/global/en/electricalconnectors/industries/railway staubli.com/electrical

EvoTrak family The same connection philosophy for your entire traction chain, thanks to the compact and flexible modular solutions of the EvoTrak family.

Exactly configurable to your needs from 1 to 4 poles, straight or/ and angled part to connect on straight part or panel receptacle.

EvoTrak meets all current standards and is tested beyond railway requirements. Proven reliability for everyone who wants to play it safe.

EvoTrak MPC - Modular power connector with several options available (strain relief for dynamic cables, connection assistance option and a lot more), you decide which options you need – 100 % flexible.

EvoTrak lite - Modular metal connector perfectly adapted to the size constraints of light rail vehicles.

EvoTrak lite offers unbeatable combinations of functions in the smallest space, with EMC option for shielded cables, poles separation/ segregation for Permanent Magnet Motors, IP2X and a lot more.

Your expert in railway connection solutions since more than 30 years. www.staubli.com RAILWAY MODULAR CONNECTORS

EvoTrak – the real modularity

Meet the challenge of the railway future - Bi-directional operation: Battery charger / Inverter - Parallel operation: up to 40kW - Remote signals:7 logic inputs + 4 alarms + 1 programmable logic output - BMS included: voltage, current and temperature - Higher power density - Compact design

Bi-directional 3ph 10kW battery charger-rectifier www.premiumpsu.com

BDS-10K Series

Directory

Premium PSU

Focusing on Innovative Rail Solutions to Meet the Challenges of the Future

InnoTrans 2022

P

remium PSU was present at the latest edition of InnoTrans 2022.

After four years without being able to attend due to the pandemic, Premium PSU took the opportunity to present innovative solutions in power electronics for the railway industry.

The company has been focusing on providing solutions of higher

power to the industry and new alternatives for efficient power supplies. A clear example is a new 40kW DC/AC inverter, which stands out for having two outputs, one of 35kW and the other of 5kW, where two loads can be controlled independently.

On rail trams, this inverter manages the HVAC system of the train and the HVAC system of the passenger cars. Its CANBUS communication port controls all the parameters of

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the unit, although it is interesting to note that the frequency and output voltage are controlled independently. Despite being very robust and powerful, the unit weighs only 60kg and is presented in a compact design. The inverter also includes an innovative active catenary filter that protects itself against surges on the catenary.

During European Mobility Week (17 September), GTT Group in collaboration with Hitachi Rail,

Traction & Power Supplies presented a new electric motor tram in Turin, which will be in operation in winter 2022. All cars include Premium PSU’s 40kW threephase inverter in the ventilation system, which was custom-designed and manufactured according to the needs of the project.

For 2023, Premium PSU is planning to expand its standard product range with new designs: a bidirectional converter and two models of variable frequency drives, being the first power engineering company to offer VFDs specifically designed for the railway market in their portfolio. The BDS-10K series is

a bidirectional three-phase battery charger-inverter that can supply a DC load and / or charge a battery from a 400V three-phase line, as well as generate a 400V threephase line from a battery. The new BDS-10K is scalable in power: up to four units can be connected in parallel obtaining a power of up to 40kW. Premium PSU is currently in the industrialisation process of its AC/AC frequency inverter series.

These drives have been designed to control and regulate the speed and torque of the AC rotary motor by varying the frequency and input voltage of the motor. Some of the advantages of using a VFD

are energy savings and improved efficiency of the network, system and HVAC equipment; easy control of motor speed, flow and pressure; soft start and reduced temperature of connected devices.

Premium PSU is committed to excellence and aims to promote the development of its activity in a safe, efficient and sustainable way.

It has a quality management system based on the ISO 9001 standard, as well as an environmental management system based on the ISO 14001 standard. Its facilities are equipped with the latest instrumentation technology: a semi-anechoic chamber to carry out EMCs and a climatic chamber among others, which allow the team of more than 100 people to test and develop innovative power electronics solutions.

Premium PSU hello@premiumpsu.com +34 93 223 26 85

Railway AC/AC variable frequency drives

Bi-directional battery charger-rectifier

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Directory

Cummins

Let’s Talk about Hydrogen Reviewing the Cummins H Class Event

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s rail accelerates along its decarbonisation journey, Cummins is working with rolling stock OEMs worldwide to transition to the fuel cell–powered trains that significantly reduce emissions.

Cummins is the first company in the world powering hydrogen trains in commercial operation, so naturally, the company has learned a lot along the way.

On 15 August 2022, Cummins hosted its first ever rail hydrogen event created to enable the company’s new fuel and rail experts to share what they know and start new conversations with people from around the industry.

The event was called H Class – Cummins Rail Hydrogen School. You can watch the full event video here: www.cummins.com/new-power/ applications/trains Let’s look at what the Cummins industry experts had to say, and

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explore the core truth – that hydrogen is not just a part of the future of rail, but is changing the industry today.

A Hydrail Pioneer To launch the event, Regina Barringer, General Manager – Global Rail and Defense, set out Cummins’s position as a pioneer in hydrail. “We were the first engine manufacturer to receive tier 4 certification which we had 3 years ahead of the regulation”, said Regina. She also introduced the Cummins

Traction & Power Supplies

Cummins fuel cell-powered train

Destination Zero strategy with the aim to be a carbon-neutral business by 2050.

In Rail, Conditions Are Optimal John Carroll, General Manager – Fuel Cell Mobility, explored the reasons why hydrogen is a solution for decarbonisation.

John focused on how the rail industry is ahead of the curve in terms of readiness to adopt hydrogen fuel cell technology.

“Rail is a great example where the conditions are optimal for many customers to implement solutions now.”

“We must work together to tackle the climate crisis that requires

action,” he said. “The rail market is ready, and where we can work together to advance hydrogen technologies and build that scale.”

This poses the question of how to decide when and where hydrogen solutions are an ideal option.

Answers emerged as Cummins’s experts delved into some use cases.

Hydrogen and Passenger Trains “Powering a passenger train with hydrogen is already a reality,” observes Sandeep Bhatia, Account Manager – Rail and New Power.

“With a range of more than 1000km, the fuel cell train matches the kilometres for fuelling performance of a conventional regional train with

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lower environmental impact and lower noise levels, while having a top speed of 140km/h.”

“The combination of economic competitiveness and environmental advantages means fuel cell-powered multiple units are clearly market ready applications.” He goes on to show how: “The total lifetime cost of hydrogen trains is already comparable for trains running on diesel on electrified lines.”

Sandeep explores the hydrogen ecosystem and identifies five factors that make the hydrogen train proposition so attractive.

Hydrogen and Shunters Nils Berkei, Sales Manager – Fuel Cells, makes the case for hydrogen

in shunters. He points to their global environmental impact – 5% of total global rate emissions, and how high-efficiency diesel engines may be the viable solution for some years to come. He goes on to say however, that “Hydrogen fuel cell systems offer a greenhouse gasfree solution and are a way to meet upcoming legal requirements.”

He explores the many advantages of a hybrid system for shunters, concluding that “Shunting applications could be highly feasible for fuel cell electric systems... and this future ready technology is available today.”

Hydrogen and Linehaul Freight Rajani Modiyani, Global Account Leader – Alternate Solutions for Rail Markets, sets out the special power and range challenges of freight, especially the extreme demands of precision railroad scheduling that any alternative power source must recognise.

She discusses the rapid progress made to enable hydrogen fuel cells to meet the power density, fuel storage and durability demands of freight. “As the technology evolves”, she says, “the hydrogen fuel cell solution can be retrofitted into

existing locomotives,” extending the life of these valuable assets.

cons of delivered versus onsite generation.

Fuel Cells. A Technical Deep-Dive.

Questions, Answered

“Fuel cell technology has come a long way,” says Director of New Initiatives – Fuel Cells, Ryan Sookhoo. “It’s now a viable solution for decarbonisation.” He describes the technology inside fuels cells that enables them, when the hydrogen is produced from renewable sources, to be zero carbon.

But for rail, how can the viability of fuel cells be evaluated? Ryan explores the four pillars that must be considered, concluding that “there are a number of reasons why PEM fuel cells are a great solution for rail.”

He supports this conclusion with evidence of the cost-efficiency, power density, high reliability and flexible architecture of Cummins fuel cell designs. He goes on to discuss how much Cummins has learned from a position of being “years ahead of competitors in this technology”.

What about the hydrogen infrastructure options for rail? Ryan weighs up the important pros and

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Cummins H Class generated some important delegate questions which Cummins’s expert panel addressed.

In response to a safety question, the panel pointed to hydrogen as an overall safer technology rather than conventional fuels, with a long history of use in industry.

Hydrogen infrastructure, operating costs, the dependency on a clean environment for fuel cells, and how Cummins works with rail OEMs has prompted detailed responses from the panel.

H Class overall was an event that faced the challenges of the rail industry head on, and offered real optimism for the decarbonised future.

Find out more at cummins.com

Texelis

A Success Story Built on Rubber-Tyred Metro History from Renault to Texelis

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t all started in 1951 with Michelin (the world leader in tyre manufacturing) making the offer to Paris Metro network operator RATP to equip its metro trainsets with tyres.

This unprecedented technical solution would allow for much more efficient acceleration and braking than steel wheels would.

In addition, the use of tyres reduced noise levels and increased comfort by making the trains quieter and reducing vibrations. In order to allow the trains to run on both conventional rails and tyre tracks, each train would be equipped with tyre wheels mounted side by side with the steel wheels.

A prototype was built by a French consortium for a trial on a small section of the metro network. It was named MP51 (M for Metro and P for ‘Pneu’ which is tyre in French).

The experiment was a success.

In 1954, RATP therefore decided to place an order for 71 units of MP55type cars with two companies: one of them was Renault, an audacious

choice. Renault had manufactured many railcars before the war, as well as a few models of shunters and small track inspection vehicles; however, it was only involved in the production of a small number of railcars after 1945.

The MP55 created momentum as soon as it was commissioned, with astounding performance for its time: the new equipment very quickly reached speeds of 65 and even 70km/h, whereas the old Sprague-Thomson trains only reached 45km/h! It was a

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first success for a rubber-tyred metro and for Renault through its subsidiary SAVIEM. SAVIEM subsequently merged with Berliet to create Renault Industrial Vehicles and developed its Limoges factory in this industry. In 2008, Texelis was created and became an independent company in 2009.

Since then, rubber-tyred metros have been used for all the new metro lines built in France, whether it be the new Lyon or Marseille networks in 1977 and 1978, the VAL

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Santiago The Santiago Metro is an urban transport system serving Santiago, the capital of Chile, as well as its metropolitan area.

Commissioned in 1975 and gradually extended, the network today comprises 136 stations and seven lines for a total length of 140km, making it the second-most extensive in Latin America after those in Mexico City. systems, or in 1998, the recently fully automated Paris line, Line 14, the first line to receive the latest generation of rubber-tyred metros (MP14). Using rubber-tyred metros also remained a showcase for RATP in the construction of networks outside France with pneumatic rolling stock used in Montréal (Canada), Mexico City (Mexico) and Santiago (Chile)… and they are all equipped with Texelis differential axles recognised for their reliability and their performance on modern metro fleets throughout the world.

Here are some examples below:

The latest generation is the rubbertyred metro model MP14 for which Texelis is supplying Alstom and Paris metro for 94 trainsets.

The first rubber-tyred metro technology was developed in Paris by Michelin and the Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP) in the 1950s.

All the World’s RubberTyred Metros Feature Texelis Components Texelis is the worldwide leader in tyre metros and equips the metros of French cities such as Paris, Lille, Lyon and Marseille, as well as those around the world such as Lausanne (Switzerland), Taipei (Taiwan), Mexico City (Mexico), Santiago (Chile) and Montréal (Canada).

Montréal The Montréal Metro is a public transport network that serves the island of Montréal as well as the Quebec cities of Laval and Longueuil, Canada. This rubber-tyred metro runs entirely underground and is managed by the Société de transport de Montréal (STM).

Paris

The latest train model ordered

by RATP is the MP14 train and the first train was inaugurated on 12 October 2020 on Line 14.

Mexico City Mexico City is the city in the world with the most rubber-tyred metros.

The network has 12 lines and carries more than five million passengers per day.

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Why Use a Rubber-Tyred Metro on a Network?

Rubber-tyred technology has been used since the 1950s.

It has been mainly developed as a solution to increase train frequency on overloaded line sections, and to lower noise levels in the vehicles for the passengers and outside for the environment in case of open-air installations as well. This has been the most cost-effective means of achieving the desired requirements of modern mobility in big cities.

This target is reached thanks to the main advantages of the rubbertyred metro: •

The higher friction coefficient of the rubber tyres on runway compared to the conventional steel wheel on steel rail tracks allows quicker acceleration and shorter braking distances.

This enables trains to run closer to each other and is a significant gain in terms of train frequency, especially when distances between stations are small.

The higher friction coefficient makes it possible for the

•

vehicles to climb and descend steeper slopes (up to 13%) without any additional track equipment (rack, in case of rolling steel/steel).

Investments in the infrastructure (rails) are lower and the high friction coefficient makes it easy to automate trains using CBTC: almost all movers are rubber-tyre equipped.

Rubber tyres enable quiet rolling in open-air installations.

Reduced noise levels are a must for open-air line sections and for the comfort of the passengers.

A less noisy train also means fewer vibrations for the bogies for which the design can then be more lightweight.

Thus, rail wear is lowered, as are maintenance costs.

The rubber-tyred technology, which presents these advantages, is a system that uses a mix of road

Train on tyres (MP 73) of Line 6 of the Paris metro

and rail technology and which, in comparison to conventional steel on steel, splits the traction and guidance functions: •

•

Vehicles have wheels with rubber tyres running on rolling pads inside guide bars for traction Traditional railway steel wheels

with deep flanges on steel tracks for guidance through conventional switches (as well as guidance in case of tyre failure).

To summarise, rubber-tyred metros are a particularly relevant technology for lines with a high rate of services and short distance between stations; they are also of note for lines with steep slopes and with open-air sections that are sensitive to noise emissions.

Paris, Montréal, Mexico, Santiago, Taipei, etc. are partially or totally equipped with rubber-tyred technology for their metro networks.

Find out more information at texelis.com

Example of rubber-tyred traction and guidance concept

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VUZ

VUZ on the Way to the Future

News from the European Leader in Rail Testing and Certification

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ýzkumný Ústav Železniční, a.s. (VUZ) is a Czech company specialised in providing professional services and complex solutions in the field of assessment, certification and testing of rolling stock, railway systems and railway transport.

VUZ already ranks among the European market leaders, however, it has a vision and ambition to become a truly innovative international company gaining ground not only in the railway sector but also in other transport

and industrial segments. The following text will guide you through the steps the company has taken to achieve its goal.

Obtaining Designated Body Accreditation in Slovakia and Estonia VUZ has extended its activities into two additional EU countries: Slovakia and Estonia. VUZ’s Slovak subsidiary has successfully met all the requirements of the accreditation process and VUZ Slovakia, s.r.o. is now, next to other activities performed so far, authorised to provide services of an

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accredited Designated Body (DeBo) for the Slovak Republic (assessment of compliance of European railway system products with the Slovak national rules), and services of an ECM certification body within the European Union (certification of maintenance systems of railway rolling stock and rolling stock maintenance functions).

Similarly, at the beginning of December 2021 the Estonian Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority approved VUZ as a Designated Body (DeBo) for several projects falling under its competence.

Click here to watch our video.

VUZ is taking part in the Regional Hydrogen-Powered Trains on Czech Railways project and is working to select railway lines suitable for operation of hydrogen-powered trains in the Czech Republic. The project objective is to analyse the Czech railway lines and localise areas where hydrogenpowered trains would constitute a technological, financially efficient and environmentally friendly solution compared to other technologies. VUZ is involved mainly in collection and analysis of data for the purpose of selection of Czech railway lines where possible use of hydrogen-powered trains can be assessed.

A technological / financial analysis of selected regional lines will be carried out within the project and individual train propulsion systems (diesel, battery, hydrogen and hybrid) will be compared. The output will enable identification of preferred areas with positive technological, financial and environmental results for deployment of hydrogen-powered trains and replacement of diesel trains that will be put out of operation in the future on nonelectrified railway lines.

resilience and security are tested in accordance with the strict VUZ standards and in accordance with CENELEC 50701. This standard implements a consistent approach to cyber-security management applicable to all railway applications (management, security, ETCS, rolling stock and electric traction for railways). Within cyber-security testing and assessment, VUZ experts provide risk analysis, implementation of protective measures, real-time risk monitoring and employee training. Testing of cyber-security resilience is crucial to rolling stock manufacturers, rolling stock operators and those subjects that order transport services (for example the regional authorities of the Czech Republic).

The increasing level of railway digitalisation makes cyber security a hot topic. VUZ services in the field of cyber security are provided by a team of experienced professionals: ethical hackers. Tests are carried out by means of simulated hacker attacks and continuous monitoring of the existing systems’ reactions.

Cyber Security in Railway Transport VUZ, as the European leader in the field of railway assessment and evaluation, offers a new cyber resilience assessment service to the railway industry. Cyber

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The entire testing process is monitored and recorded, and its output is an assessment report and a certificate issued by VUZ according to the VUZ standard, in accordance with ISO 27000, IEC 62443 or TC 50701.

Cyber-Security Testing: Vehicle, Train, Train Unit Consulting services: • • •

Consultation and an IT architecture proposal from the cyber-security perspective External examination of the cyber-security architecture Assessment of the cybersecurity documentation sales@cdvuz.cz cdvuz.cz

Accreditation & Certification

Selection on Lines for Hydrogen-Powered Trains

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kydex.com

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Design for a New Rail Passenger Experience

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olling stock interiors are experiencing a design renaissance that includes being sustainable, safe, and smart.

Designers are exploring fresh ideas and concepts, but one thing is constant – meeting passenger expectations. Travellers are returning to the rails and ready to enjoy the journey. Every trip is full of purpose, from new business ventures to ski vacations, to one day excursions. Rail interiors will need to encompass circular design and the feel of a comfortable and clean cabin to meet these new lifestyle trends. The challenge to designing these new train cars is understanding new materials and KYDEX thermoplastics with Infused Imaging™ technology

how they work together early in the development process.

A recent survey conducted at the RedCabin Railway Interiors Summit in April found that nearly 65 percent of rail professionals believe a lack of cross-industry collaboration is preventing new interior innovation from transforming the onboard passenger experience. However, opportunities abound to transform rail travel in the future.

Early Collaboration with the Supply Chain Bringing the supply chain together for early collaboration can expedite the material selection process.

SEKISUI KYDEX developed its Innovation Centres, appLab™ and designLab®, as places for design and engineering teams to collaborate and explore the possibilities.

appLab™: Changing Materials through Collaboration This new focus on rail interiors has designers considering new and innovative materials. Education about the available material options

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and their benefits can help shift rail interiors from heavier, less sustainable metal and fibreglassreinforced plastics (FRP) to thermoplastics—a lighter, safer, more sustainable option.

“The appLab™ can change the game by educating designers, transit system professionals, and rail engineers. Collaboration among these professionals in a space specifically made for exploration leads to faster development of state-of-the-art solutions. Engineers and specifiers can experience true design freedom in moving from fibreglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) to thermoplastics,” says Ruben Bake, Mass Transit Business Manager.

Outfitted with a full-size pressure former, a standard batch oven with custom conveying units, CNC mills, and a Faro laser line probe for part precision, the appLab™ can assist with switching from traditional materials to thermoplastics. The appLab™ engineers can recommend forming processes and provide modifications to part geometries to adjust undercuts, split lines, and hidden edges. It’s also a space to try out new concepts with the testing equipment to back them up. The appLab™ is not locked into one manufacturing or finishing process.

New KYDEX 2200LT for rail interiors

Rail customers can continue to collaborate with thermoforming partners and other suppliers in a more advanced capacity.

designLab®: Closing the Gap between Manufacturing and Design In the designLab®, art and science combine in a collaboration space for industry thought leaders to develop a deeper understanding of colour and design. With access to the latest technology, this space brings the supply chain together to iterate in real time, comparing textiles, colour, texture, and thermoplastics simultaneously. In this hands-on workspace, you’re given the tools to customise how you design, and the flexibility to create your own colours with live, in-process adjustments.

Featuring three dedicated colour technicians with expertise in custom colour creation, a design director focused on design trends, two Infused Imaging™ graphic artists, and X-Rite’s Total Appearance Capture (TAC™) ecosystem, the designLab® serves customers and colour enthusiasts to assist with creating the perfect design. X-Rite’s TAC™ provides

With Infused Imaging™ technology, designers have the power to create bespoke environments using colour, imagery and visual texture without sacrificing strength, durability and cleanability. Infused Imaging™ is a proprietary process that embeds imagery into KYDEX® thermoplastics, not on them.

Reliable Cabin Materials A material’s reliability in use ultimately impacts the ability to bring the design vision to life.

SEKISUI KYDEX offers multiple grades of materials for use in mass transit interior applications. Most notably, KYDEX® 2200LT is a highperformance thermoplastic sheet designed for SMP800C or BSS7239 compliance, and KYDEX® 2210LT is specifically engineered to be compliant with EN45545-2.

KYDEX® materials are ideal for rail

Sustainable, recyclable KYDEX thermoplastics

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car interior applications like walls, passenger seatbacks, armrests, tray tables, and window masks or shrouds. Long-term durability, and weight savings over FRP, aluminium or steel make KYDEX® thermoplastics a desirable and more sustainable choice for customers, and when the rail car reaches the end of its tracks, the KYDEX® parts can be recycled into something new.

The future of railway interiors is full of possibilities realised through reliable and easy to use materials.

With early collaboration, custom patterns and colours, and new innovative materials, a new era of passenger experience in mass transit is beginning.

Click here to watch our appLab™ video. kydex.com/markets/mass-transit

Ruben Bake baker@kydex.com +1.614.813.5449

Design

an unmatched level of realism in digital material capture and 3D virtualisation and closes the gap between real and virtual materials through full appearance measurement.

Our design studio is bound by a shared commitment towards world-class user experiences, innovation, and sustainability.

We believe this is the only way to meet the challenges of a changing world.

Find out how we can help:

Designers of Detail 40+ years of Design for Rail

www.yellowwindow.com mail@yellowwindow.com

From Measurement to Demand Planning – Closing the Loop with CALIPRI

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afety is paramount in rail. Regular wheelset measurements are therefore especially important to meet stringent regulations and to guarantee passengers a safe and smooth journey.

These regulations and requirements bring challenges for the customer and operator in their daily business: •

Due to the strict safety requirements the measurements

• • • • •

must be taken regularly Data needs to be traceable and available long-term Global trend for a greener transport Industry is in a constant change towards a profit-oriented market Railway organisations must be cost-efficient Railway transport needs to be attractive for the end user, meaning that delays must be prevented and vehicle availability must be high – therefore, a reliable

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•

maintenance workflow is absolutely essential Life-cycle costs are not as plannable as desired

CALIPRI measuring devices from Hexagon | NEXTSENSE can make a significant contribution to supporting the maintenance flow.

Both the handheld CALIPRI C42 measuring system and the fully automated on-track wheelset measurement system, CALIPRI X, ensure that the measurement results are in accordance with the

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relevant standards. These standards require reliable, highly available and precise measurement data.

CALIPRI C42 The multifunctional CALIPRI C4x series enables the combination of several measurement modules in one measurement device. If, for example, the modules for wheel profile, brake disc, wheel diameter and back-to-back are combined, the result is a measuring device for evaluating a complete wheelset.

CALIPRI Prime, on the other hand, focuses on wheel profile measurement and thus replaces conventional mechanical gauges.

The measurement process is based on laser light section technology.

The user guides the sensor over the measurement object by hand.

It is not necessary to precisely maintain the distance and angle of the sensor. This is achieved by using the patented CALIPRI principle and its unique tilt correction. During the process, the profile is captured and evaluated from different

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perspectives. Once measured, the data is immediately ready for analysis and transfer.

CALIPRI X The latest product is the CALIPRI X, an automated, permanently installed on-track wheel profile measurement system. It eliminates time-consuming and costly manual wheelset measurement, delivering precise results in seconds and immediately identifying outof-tolerance areas. The system measures all wheelset parameters according to the European standard EN 15313. Accurate understanding of wheelset condition allows rail operators to move from interval-based to condition-based maintenance – and ultimately true predictive maintenance – enabling better resource planning and significant operational cost savings.

The most significant advantage of both CALIPRI C42 and CALIPRI X is: all wheelset parameters can be measured with one and the same measuring device in one measuring

run, such as wheel profile, tyre thickness, run-out, diameter, back-to-back distance, equivalent conicity, camber and wheel toe. The most important parameters and variables are known in seconds, and out-of-tolerance areas are immediately identified.

Combined with CALIPRI Predictor – an easy-to-use cloud storage and analysis tool for all CALIPRI devices – all measurements are automatically, instantly and securely stored in the cloud and wear evolution is evaluated to enable planned downtime based on the as-is and forecasted condition of wheels. This enables predictable and safe operation of the fleet and unplanned downtime caused by wheel condition is eliminated.

The benefit for customers is that these measurement solutions close the loop between measurement, data handling and demand planning.

With CALIPRI, the entire process –

from performing measurements and monitoring values to planning and executing maintenance – has been digitised as much as possible and predictive maintenance has

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been brought to life. hexagon.com nextsense-worldwide.com/en

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ATS-500 High-Power Testing Consolidated, Functional Testing, Part of the ATS-5000 Series

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ail car manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are frequently presented with the unique problem of having multiple vendors that need support for high-power testing.

Typically, high-power testers are designed to test a specific, individual, high-power unit. With consolidated test solutions from Astronics Test Systems, multiple vendors can be tested on the same test platform.

As part of the Astronics Test Systems portfolio of consolidated bench test equipment (BTE), Astronics has introduced the ATS500 High Power (HP) Test System.

power testing requirements.

Ultimate Flexibility

•

Astronics has been providing highpower test solutions for a variety of UUTs throughout the transit industry for more than a decade.

From GTO and IGBT-based chopper LRUs to high-speed circuit breakers, we have consistently developed safe, specification-compliant, bench test equipment for all of your high-

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The ATS-500 HP can be configured to test most power electronics in a rail car, such as:

• • • • • • • •

Auxiliary power systems, 100KVA+ Single and multi-phase inverters DC to DC converters Full load testing for AC and DC LRUs and LLRUs Dead battery starters Rail gap detectors Propulsion drive systems High-speed circuit breakers Fully integrated safety systems to protect the operator

Testing & Measuring Equipment

Test It All Test your power systems from board to box-level at your factory or repair depot.

• •

•

Save time and cost: complete turnkey solution Upgradable, modular, and configurable: select COTS instruments to configure, update, or expand functionality to meet your exact requirements and future needs Efficient: consolidated footprint to maximise space in your depot

• •

or factory Flexible: based on industrystandard instrumentation such as LXI, PXIe and others Supportable: dedicated engineering, factory, and field support staff

Astronics Test Systems delivers your solution with an open architecture based on industry standards for fast, easy configuring and efficient operation.

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The ATS-500 HP is your state-ofthe-art choice to ensure optimal performance of critical systems.

Contact us today to learn more or visit astronics.com/mass-transittest-equipment.

MAINTENANCE that gives you PEACE OF MIND

ATS-500 Functional Test System

Maintain a state of good repair for onboard and wayside assets with universal, consolidated test solutions High Voltage

HVAC

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TE S T SOLUTIONS

The efficient and reliable maintenance of electronic circuits over their long working life is critical to the safe operation of mass transit systems. Test all of your critical electronics systems with our comprehensive solutions, consolidating the work of many testers into one.

Our consolidated solutions cover virtually every critical system on board the train, as well as wayside. From communications and control, to HVAC, to door operation, to high voltage applications, the ATS-500 family is your state-of-the-art choice to ensure optimal performance of your complex electronics.

Maximum uptime. Functioning systems.

Happy passengers.

How’s that for peace of mind?

Learn more: astronics.com/mass-transit-test-equipment

Make your mark A brand new digital print technology for transport textiles.

Explore what Camira Print could mean for your rail interior at www.camirafabrics.com

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Texat

Let’s Talk about Interiors

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roviding comfort, making optimal use of existing space, the number of seats, ergonomic design, and air conditioning – these criteria are becoming increasingly important in carriage construction today and in the near future in order to transport a steadily growing population quickly, comfortably and cost-effectively.

Based on the performance spectrum of Texat decor engineering AG and with a focus on the criteria of ergonomic design and air conditioning in the vehicle, we have developed new cable-guided roller blind systems.

Regardless of whether straight or curved side walls are used, this innovative new development allows us to shade window surfaces completely. Shading without lateral light incidence, no protrusion of the fabric over the sidewall, easy

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operation of the roller blind in any position, and no restriction of shoulder room for the passenger are further features of our new solution.

As an owner-managed Swiss SME,

Train Interiors Texat decor engineering AG (Tde) was founded in 1990 in Zurich as an engineering and trading company.

We are a competent partner for innovative solutions as well as for new developments in the field of railroad interiors, aviation and related industries. Our focus is on shading and darkening of passenger compartments and driver’s cabins in rail vehicles, as well as dirt absorbers for entrance areas.

Based on the performance spectrum of Texat decor engineering AG and with a focus on the criteria of ergonomic design and air conditioning in the vehicle, we have developed new cableguided roller blind systems.

With solutions for maintenance, overhaul or new projects, whether as custom-made designs or in medium and higher quantities, we offer our customers and partners products from our existing range or systemic innovation adapted to their requirements. Regardless of whether the roller blinds are operated manually or electrically, the product range of Tde includes our components and solutions, which we can combine specifically for our customers.

We prioritise quality in our products. High-quality workmanship and sophisticated technology are our foundations for maximum comfort, safe operation and user-friendliness in everyday use.

With ISO 9001:2015 certification and the necessary certificates for the applied materials, the administrative requirements and demanded certifications in our core markets are common practice in our daily business. This combination enables the small engineering,

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trading and production company from the Zurich Oberland to cross borders, and we enjoy working with customers across the globe.

We gladly accept the challenge and will meet your needs and requirements. Please contact us, test our innovation and willingness to perform.

Texat decor engineering AG Stationsstrasse 59 CH-8606 Nänikon Switzerland +41 44 310 20 70 mail@tde.ch www.tde.ch

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Trispel GmbH

Trispel GmbH Is Here to Help

Tactile information system for better orientation in the German ICE 4

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ocal and long-distance public transport vehicles are used by millions of passengers on a daily basis – they’re an essential contribution to a climatefriendly and sustainable mobility concept.

Celle, Germany has been outfitting railway vehicles and buses with accessible guidance systems to enable passengers with physical impairments to find their way in a variety of different vehicle environments. Reason enough to take a behind-the-scenes look at the special topic of accessibility on trains and buses.

The users themselves are just as diverse as the exciting and varied array of different mobility offerings available.

As inconspicuous as pictograms and signs may be at first glance, they’re crucially important in the organisation of smooth passenger service. During peak periods in particular, passengers have to be

For over 38 years, Trispel GmbH in

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© Deutsche Bahn AG / Oliver Lang

able to orient themselves in vehicles as intuitively as possible and be guided as efficiently as possible.

Whether trying to locate a reserved seat, the restaurant car or the toilet, pictograms aid passengers in finding their way around vehicles in just about every day-to-day situation.

In addition to day-to-day organisational operations, pictograms also play a crucial role in safety when emergencies occur.

They identify escape & emergency routes and the locations of fire extinguishers & first-aid stations

Thanks to standardised imagery, relevant passenger information can be understood regardless of a person’s native language or cultural origin. A crucial aspect at a time when society is becoming increasingly international. But how do you guide customers who are unable to take in visual information? Tactile guidance systems and pictograms provide the solution for enabling passengers with visual impairments to make use of mobility offerings independently.

In public transport, tactile guidance systems are a significant contribution to the integration of visually impaired people. That’s why the German Federal Railway Authority in Bonn developed their own EC certificate for these components. TSI PRM (EU) 1300/2014 governs the technical requirements of pictograms which can be perceived by people with visual impairments.

“Pictograms and passenger guidance systems are our passion. Designing and producing them in such a way that they can be understood by as many passengers as possible is our social responsibility,” noted Johannes Wenzel, Managing Director of Trispel GmbH. In close co-operation with visual impairment associations and the responsible specialist departments, it was possible with the Trifol® SBG product range to develop a

Train Interiors

and also point out options for communicating with passenger staff. As a result, these initially inconspicuous pictograms are classified as safety-related components of a vehicle.

Handrail equipped with tactile number and braille © Deutsche Bahn AG / Oliver Lang

technical solution which includes the relevant passenger information both as a visually attractive image motif and as transparent tactile information. The essential image information can be presented haptically in three dimensions and supplemented with written information in braille. The manufactured pictograms and signs are developed for long-term use in public transport vehicles and are resistant to common cleaning agents thanks to their special surface finish.

Thanks to the innovative production technology used, high setup costs for stamping and embossing tools are no longer an issue. Even individual small batches can be created cost-effectively in this way. If necessary, the self-adhesive pictograms can be provided with a high-strength adhesive for lowenergy surfaces.

For determining the most suitable product version for each intended use, Trispel GmbH has its own laboratory for material analysis.

“Our company has presented ideal options for analysing sample components with regard to their

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adhesive properties. A precise product recommendation can then be made. This is a free service that is greatly appreciated by our customers around the globe. When furnishing large volumes, it allows us, for example, to rule out the risk of chemical incompatibility between the adhesive and the surface,” commented Dirk Dettlaff, Head of Sales at Trispel GmbH. Once the right product has been determined, it is time for graphical implementation. The staff at the graphics department have been specially trained in typesetting braille text. The desired pictograms are then created based on the template of a technical drawing, or as a completely new design, if desired. For complex translation tasks, we co-operate with local visual impairment associations.

Once production is complete, the pictograms are either applied in the vehicles by the Trispel GmbH installation team or delivered to the customer.

As a long-time customer of Trispel GmbH, Deutsche Bahn AG recognised the various needs of its

graphically. After entering the vehicles, passengers are met on three levels – imagery, tactile writing and braille – and informed of the current location and the various directions. Individual seats are also outfitted with tactile seat numbers, controls are identified in the toilet facilities and location information in braille is found on the handrails.

Grip shell with tactile seat numbering and braille © Trispel GmbH

users years ago and implemented an accessible guidance system in its vehicles. If you take a look at the latest ICE models, for example, you’ll see that the relevant passenger information isn’t just conveyed

The image portfolio of Trispel GmbH currently includes more than 4,000 different pictograms for blind and otherwise visually impaired people, and the number is growing every day.

Though the Trifol® SBG product range has already been established on the market for many years, the development department at

Trispel GmbH continues to work continually on further optimising the company’s product portfolio.

The latest development in the field of pictograms suitable for people with visual impairments are images where transparent braille text has been replaced with colour or fluorescent text. As a result, any RGB value can be represented as a colour shade. This is bringing tactile information and design even closer together.

Dirk Dettlaff info@trispel.de +49514198660 www.trispel.de

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WE’RE NOT JUST ON TRACK. WE’RE AHEAD OF THE CURVE. From clean diesel to hydrogen fuel cells, we’re making great strides to help rail operators around the world improve efficiency and meet their sustainability goals.

Tomorrow’s technology, hard at work today – Cummins fuel cell technology was the first in the world to power hydrogen trains in commercial operation.

Learn more at cummins.com/rail or scan the QR code below.

©2022 Cummins Inc.

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