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  • Article: Vehicles

    We have measuring vehicles that can be used for many different purposes, including for tilting systems and high-speed rail services.

    Acquire all the information you need here, in detail, about our vehicles and specially trained employees.

    High-speed measurement train (ICE-S)

    Measurement train for vehicle response measurements (from a rail vehicle and infrastructure perspective) and component testing.

    Topic

    Details

    Train configuration::
    • The train comprises two power cars and two intermediate cars. The intermediate cars contain the measuring instruments and measurement team.
    Operation:
    • Infrastructure measurements on high-speed lines and upgraded lines on the DB AG network and other European railway networks
    • Testing of intermediate cars and vehicle components for high-speed use
    • Testing of diagnostic equipment
    • Determination of quality parameters for the ETCS radio interface (QoS)
    Use:
    • Route approval pursuant to TSI
    • Scheduled inspection and partial approval for track and interaction between pantograph and overhead line in accordance with the regulations defined by the respective infrastructure managers
    • Determination of operational parameters
    • Determination of running safety levels, ride comfort levels and component functionalities
    Measured quantities:
    • Wheel/rail forces
    • Acceleration at the bogie and in the car body
    • Contact forces between pantograph and overhead line
    • Track geometry values
    • Radio coverage
    Equipment 
    • The train is approved for a maximum speed of 280 km/h. Technically, it can achieve a maximum speed of 440 km/h, making it the fastest train in Germany.
    • The train has four instrumented wheelsets, a track geometry measurement system and pantograph sensor technology, including cameras, lighting and laser measurement.
    • It is also prepped for the installation of additional measuring instruments, e.g. for noise or radio measurements.
    • The ICE-S is equipped with the train protection systems PZB, LZB 80E and ETCS Version 2.3.0.d.
    Tilting measurement train (VT 612)

    Measurement train for vehicle response measurements and component testing

    Topic

    Details

    Train configuration:
    • The train comprises two vehicles, namely 612 901-8 and 612 902-6.

    Operation:

    • Infrastructure measurements on the DB AG network and other European railway networks, especially on tilting train routes.
    Use:
    • Scheduled inspection and partial approval of tilting train routes
    • Interaction between pantograph and overhead line in accordance with the regulations defined by the respective infrastructure managers
    • Measurement of train radio coverage and mobile telephony coverage
    Measured quantities:
    • Wheel/rail forces
    • Acceleration at the bogie and in the car body
    • Contact forces between pantograph and overhead line
    • Track geometry values and rail cross-section values

    Equipment

    • The train has four instrumented wheelsets and a track geometry measurement system.
    • If required, it can be equipped with pantograph sensor technology, including cameras, lighting and laser measurement.
    • It can also be equipped for radio measurements. 
    Noise measurement train

    Measurement train for determining the acoustic quality of the running surface of the rail

    Topic

    Details

    Train configuration:
    • The locomotive-hauled measurement train comprises the noise measurement car with sensor technology, a measurement car, a buffer coach and a driving trailer for the push-pull operation.

    Operation

    • DB Netz AG network and other European standard-gauge railway networks
    Use
    • Regular monitoring of route sections classified as "specially monitored track" (SMT) in accordance with statutory obligations
    • Determination of the acoustic quality of grinding when sections of specially monitored track are commissioned
    • Verification of the effect of innovative measures to reduce permanent way noise
    Measured quantities
    • Noise emission level along the route as a measure of the combination of rail roughness and the dynamic property of the permanent way
    Equipment
    • Sensor technology and measurement data acquisition
    • Position locator device
    • Measurement workstations
    • Generator for autonomous power supply
    Quality:
    • Accredited testing laboratory in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018. See DAkkS accreditation certificate in the appendix.
    Locomotives

    Topic

    Details

    Operation

    • Tractive output on electrified routes on the DB AG network and other European railway networks

    Use

    • Traction of measurement trains and test objects
    • Functional testing and field testing of perception equipment

    Equipment

    • The maximum permitted speed of the locomotives is 200 km/h and 230 km/h respectively.
    • The locomotives are equipped with the train protection systems PZB, LZB and, in some cases, ETCS (Version 3.4.0, 3.6.0).
    • If required, the vehicles can be equipped with pantograph sensor technology, including cameras, lighting and laser measurement as well as other sensor technology (e.g. for forces, pressures and accelerations).
    Standard measurement car

    Carriage-like vehicles with special interior fittings

    Topic

    Details

    Features

    • Measurement workstations, evaluation/meeting room, galley, partly autonomous power supply by diesel generator and, in some cases, air-conditioning and toilet facilities
    • Permanently installed measuring instruments and evaluation equipment
    • Installation of additional measuring instruments and evaluation equipment, if required

    Operation

    • DB AG network and non-state-owned railway networks
    • Due to RIC conformity, operation is possible in most European countries. In some cases, however, a multi-voltage power supply is necessary.
    • Maximum permitted speed = 200 km/h

    Use

    For infrastructure, e.g. measurement of

    • noise emission on railway tracks
    • track geometry
    • radio coverage levels both for GSM-R and public telecommunications carriers along railway tracks

    For rail vehicles, e.g. measurement of

    • Driving and braking behaviour
    • Noise emission
    • Strength
    • Vibrations
    • Comfort levels
    • Measured quantities

    Measured quantities

    • Pressure
    • Acceleration
    • Force
    • Position
    • Sound pressure level
    • Temperature
    • Frequency

    Quality

    • Many of the above measurements are conducted by accredited testing laboratories. See accreditation certificates in the appendix.
    Driving trailers

    Former InterCity driving trailer with measurement workstations

    Topic

    Details

    Operation and use

    • Measurement campaigns for push-pull operation up to 200 km/h on the DB AG network as an independent measurement car or in conjunction with standard measurement cars
    Coupling wagon

    Two former postal and luggage vans, equipped on one side with height-adjustable central buffer coupling (560 mm - 1,040 mm)

    Topic

    Details

    Operation

    • Operational use on the DB AG network as well as non-state-owned railway networks. Due to RIC conformity, operation is possible in most European countries.

    Use

    • Measurement and logistics test runs for test objects with a central buffer coupling system
    • Transportation up to a maximum train weight of 600 t and a maximum speed of 200 km/h is possible.
    • Transport capacity for measuring instruments and vehicle accessories available in the interior
    Measurement trailer

    Carriage-like vehicles with the possibility to transport materials and install measuring instruments

    Topic

    Details

    Operation

    • Maximum permitted speed = 200 km/h
    • DB AG network and non-state-owned railway networks
    • Due to RIC conformity, operation is possible in most European countries.

    Use

    Additionally used in measurement trains, e.g. for

    • Increased braking power, train length and train weight
    • Provision of additional storage and transportation space
    Train drivers, operational and technical test supervisors

    DB Systemtechnik GmbH not only offers test vehicles but also train drivers and rail operation experts for planning and conducting scheduled runs and test runs.