Traction system engineering support
The SBB’s four-axle Re 460 mainline locomotive was equipped with a modern traction converter. Embedding it in an existing vehicle control and train protection system is complex and harbours risks.
Monitoring during the initial years of operation identified areas for optimisation, particularly regarding its interaction with the ETCS train control system, the reliability and availability of the drive, and improvements to operator ergonomics.
About the project
Within SBB Passenger Traffic’s fleet technology department, the traction system engineer oversees all technical aspects of the drive systems for electrically powered vehicles. Following the modernisation of the Re 460 drivetrain, it was discovered that the impact on various subsystems was greater than initially anticipated. This led to operational problems affecting customers.
As the reliability of the Re 460 is critical for SBB’s long-distance transport operations, it must be further improved. Enotrac supports the system engineer with complex analyses and issues, the specification and validation of changes, and ensures that SBB’s expertise is maintained and expanded.
Our contribution
Enotrac supported SBB in optimising the overall vehicle control, drive, and train protection system during the initial years of operation following its introduction. The focus was on five areas
- Interaction of the traction control with the ETCS odometry.
- Performance and ergonomics of traction control.
- Dynamic torsional loads on the existing traction wheelsets.
- System behaviour at the interface to the existing vehicle control system.
- Systematic errors that occurred during the vehicles’ productive operation.
The findings were theoretically analysed and tested during trial runs, processed, and proposals for implementation were specified. Tthis required the coordination of various specialist departments. Based on this specification, the industrial partners provided customised software packages.
The validation tests were conducted under Enotrac’s leadership, in collaboration with SBB personnel. The successful implementation of the specified changes was comprehensively documented, and significant improvements were achieved in all areas.
The system interrelationships necessitate an in-depth understanding of the affected subsystems to effectively analyse dependencies and repercussions. With its high level of interdisciplinary problem-solving expertise, Enotrac was able to support SBB in ensuring safe and reliable operation.
Source header image: © SBB CFF FFS
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Customer
SBB
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Period
2019 – 2025
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Location
Switzerland
Our services in the project
