Testing of wheel/rail technologies on test rigs and in operational trials

摘要

The Deutsche Bahn AG tests wheels, rails and points both before commissioning them and after they have entered service. It does so on large-scale test rigs at its Technology Centre and also by performing operational trials. The test rigs reproduce the rolling contact between wheels, rails and points almost on a 1:1 scale in terms of geometry, contact forces and speeds. This makes it possible to detect mechanisms likely to damage vehicles and track quickly and inexpensively. Furthermore, operational trials have confirmed the suitability of this approach to testing.