Traction equipment of very high speed trains (VHST) is characterized by high complexity and quality of the components and requires high reliability. An efficient maintenance approach like condition-based maintenance (CBM) should be implemented to reduce the costs of preventive maintenance program. For this purpose, an experimental full-scale test-rig for the CBM of VHST traction equipment has been designed to investigate in detail, failures in the main mechanical components of system, i.e. motor, bearings and gearbox. The paper describes the main characteristics of this unique test-rig, which is able to reproduce accurately the train operating conditions, including the relative movements of the motor, the gearbox and the wheel axle, and to consider the complete system instead of each single component. Gearbox, bearing seats and motor are equipped by accelerometers, thermocouples, torque meter and other sensors in different positions. Expected, results are defining: i) the most suitable sensor position and type to be installed for each component and ii) the most suitable technique for signal analysis in order to monitor the distinct signature of impending faults of the bearings, gearbox and motor.
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