Train testing involves putting an entire train – or individual components – through various laboratory and on-track testing under realistic driving conditions to ensure that the rolling stock and railway components are safe in accordance with relevant global standards and regulations. Railway physical tests also include testing under extreme events, like derailment safety tests, rail crash tests or impact tests. Once tests are completed, rolling stock and component manufacturers can learn from the results of the tests and make any necessary improvements.
Conducting physical on-track testing of rolling stock and rail component offers various benefits to rail manufacturers:
TÜV SÜD offers extensive testing services for rolling stock and components. From the concept phase to the final approval process we support you to ensure that your products are running safely. Our own testing facilities for rolling stock and components are located in Görlitz and Halle/Saale, Germany. At our location in Görlitz we are equipped with testing facilities on an area of about 50.000 m². On this facility, a maximum speed of about 60 km/h is possible. This range provides ample speed for lots of different testing scenarios. For various types of rail vehicles - from auxiliary vehicles up to highspeed trains - on-track tests such as running dynamics, brake and WSP-tests, pantograph tests as well as strength tests are conducted by our branch in Halle/Saale.
Beside approval tests of your rail vehicles and components, we are also able to perform functional tests of your vehicles and much more. Also, we are connecting modern testing methods with simulations for running dynamics and pantograph testing. A new mobile torsion and sway test bench was developed to address the challenges of the future rail industry.
We are accredited as testing centre in accordance with DIN EN ISO / IEC 17025 and registered as testing centre for tank container tests by the Transport Canada Association.
We provide a comprehensive range of rail vehicle and component testing services:
Our standard is to provide optimised on-track tests, which we also combine with simulation calculations of driving dynamics. Our test services for driving dynamics comprise:
Thanks to modern decentralised measuring technology, we are able to test the entire range of rolling stock – from the smallest special vehicles to trams, metro trains and even high-speed multiple units exceeding 200 m in length. We offer a complete range of stationary and on-track tests:
Fatigue strength is tested according to EN 13749; EN 12663, ERRI B12 / RP 17, UIC codes, and technical specifications for interoperability as well as DVS guidelines, Eurocodes, IIW and FKM recommendations. We measure expansion/tension, forces, relative paths, accelerations:
To optimise testing methods we continuously develop measuring technology which leads to more efficient test results and shorter test and evaluation times. The latest measuring technology can provide meaningful test results on site. Pantograph monitoring measurements can be performed at any time during running dynamic test runs. We perform the following tests as per EN 50317 to test the interaction between pantograph and overhead power lines:
For static/dynamic testing of traction and buffer equipment we have test rigs for loads up to 3 MN and an extensive carriage fleet with variable carriage weights. We offer tests for:
We offer dynamic impact tests on tank containers and flexi tanks of various sizes, and testing for methods of securing loads in freight containers, either according to the applicable standard or in line with individual customer specifications. Our test services comprise the measuring and assessment of accelerations (SRS), forces, expansions and deformations of:
We provide an experienced test coordinator who will handle your type tests professionally and ensure that everything runs smoothly. Our test manager helps you with: