Rolling stock engineering

Engineering for the modernisation of existing vehicles as well as for the construction of new vehicles is one of Enotrac’s core competencies. Enotrac has been responsible for a large number of often very extensive projects in both areas. These include flagship projects such as the modernisation of the HGe 4/4 II locomotive of the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway.

Enotrac offers a comprehensive range of services in the field of rolling stock engineering:

System engineering and electrical engineering
Concepts and specifications for vehicles and subsystem
Design and layout
Design of electrical circuits, creation of circuit diagrams
Specification or evaluation of components, preparation of lists of equipment and parts for procurement
Production and installation drawings
Vehicle documentation, production documentation (e.g. documentation for wiring) and user manuals

For more complex mechanical designs and/or FEM analyses, Enotrac collaborates with accomplished partner companies. Further tasks, such as commissioning and approval, also fall within the Enotrac experts’ area of expertise.

Talk to our experts

Andreas Bleiker

Head of Rolling Stock Division

Member of the Board

andreas.bleiker@enotrac.com +41 33 346 66 28
Adrian Mülhauser

Head of Team Engineering

Rolling Stock Division

adrian.muelhauser@enotrac.com +41 33 346 66 33
Eric Kröpfli

Head of Team Lausanne

Rolling Stock Division

eric.kroepfli@enotrac.com +41 33 346 66 16

Further services for Development

Subseite-Dienstleistungen

Reference projects

Interface control between the tram and the experimental bogie

The Zurich-based startup, Traila, is retrofitting a decommissioned Tram 2000 from VBZ with an experimental bogie with active steering. The original direct current motors and controllers have been replaced in the process.

Modernisation of locomotive HGe 4/4 II of the MGB

The Matterhorn Gotthard Railway is modernising the HGe 4/4 II locomotive, whose bodywork dates back to the 1990s. After the refit, the drive train and electrics will be equivalent to those of a modern locomotive.

Vehicle engineering

Our team consists of experts in the field of vehicle engineering, who specialise in the planning, development and modernisation of rail vehicles. Enotrac offers a wide range of services aimed at increasing efficiency, safety and sustainability in rail transport. An outstanding example is the HGe Refit project.

The HGe-Refit project represents a significant milestone in Enotrac’s expertise in the field of vehicle engineering. It involves the comprehensive modernisation of rail vehicles, including the renewal of both the technical components and the interior fittings. This project impressively demonstrates the capabilities of Enotrac’s experts to successfully implement even complex modernisation projects with the highest quality standards.

Enotrac’s core competencies cover the modernisation of existing vehicles (refits) and the construction of new rail vehicles. This versatile approach has proved extremely successful and has led to numerous projects. The modernisation of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn’s HGe 4/4 II locomotive is one of the outstanding projects.

Range of services

Enotrac’s range of services in the field of vehicle engineering is extremely diverse and includes a wide range of services, from the conception to the documentation of rail vehicles.

System engineering and electrical engineering

Enotrac offers in-depth expertise in the field of systems engineering and electrical engineering. This includes the planning, design, and coordination of all aspects of rail vehicle systems. The integration of mechanical designs and finite element analyses is carried out in cooperation with long-standing partner offices. This is a challenging field that brings together different approaches and methods for developing complex systems. For example, when developing a product-service system (PSS), complexity is created by integrating product features and functions in the context of services. In mechatronic systems, the challenge is to coordinate the work of mechanics, electronics and software. In both cases, structured coordination between different technical experts is a critical success factor.

Concepts and specifications for vehicles and subsystems

The design and specification of rail vehicles and subsystems are crucial to the successful development of new trains or the modernisation of existing models. A comprehensive understanding and clear definition of the concepts and specifications are fundamental to ensuring that the resulting vehicles meet the high performance, safety and efficiency requirements. The design of a rail vehicle is the first step in the development process and involves defining the fundamental design principles and objectives. This includes determining the type of train, its intended uses and the technical features it should fulfil. The specification of subsystems refers to the precise definition of the technical requirements and standards that apply to the various parts of the rail vehicle. This can cover various areas, including the mechanical, electrical and electronic systems. Clear concepts and specifications are important for ensuring that the developers, engineers and manufacturers have a common understanding of the requirements and objectives.

Design and layout

Design and layout in vehicle engineering are critical steps in developing rail vehicles that meet the highest standards of safety, efficiency and environmental compatibility. This process involves the careful planning and design of all technical aspects, from mechanics to electronics.

Design, also known as dimensioning, plays a crucial role in engineering, as it ensures that components are designed to fulfil their intended purpose. This process takes into account a variety of factors, including the environment in which the vehicle will be operated, such as temperature, pressure and humidity. Likewise, loads and load combinations, repair options, the service life of the vehicle and its subsequent disposal are all incorporated into the planning.

Once decisions have been made about the design, materials and styling, the geometric sizes are determined in order to ensure that the components meet the necessary requirements. This process of dimensioning or sizing is not only important to ensure that the rail vehicles function efficiently, but also to meet the highest safety and environmental standards.

Electrical circuits and wiring diagrams

Electrical circuits and wiring diagrams are of critical importance for the functionality, safety, and efficiency of rail vehicles. At Enotrac, particular emphasis is placed on creating detailed plans that accurately represent the flow of electrical current in these vehicles. Our highly qualified experts bring extensive expertise to ensure that the electrics in rail vehicles meet the highest quality standards and meet the requirements for reliability and efficiency.

Our experts are up to date with the latest technology and have an in-depth understanding of the electrical systems in rail vehicles. This expertise is essential to ensure that the electrical circuits meet the highest quality standards. Rail vehicles are complex systems in which the electrical system plays a central role, whether for the drive, the control system or the safety components.

Enotrac supports customers in selecting the right electrical components. This includes, for example, the selection of motors, switches, relays, and control elements. Careful selection ensures compatibility and optimal performance of the rail vehicle’s electrical systems.

Another critical aspect of developing electrical circuits is the laying of cables and the creation of connection diagrams. These plans are crucial to ensure that cables and connections are routed properly to minimise electrical interference and potential hazards. One example would be the precise routing of high-voltage cables in an electric train.

Enotrac creates detailed terminal diagrams and cable lists that provide a clear overview of the connections and components. This not only facilitates assembly and installation, but is also invaluable for maintenance and servicing. If problems arise, technicians can use these plans to quickly locate and rectify faults.

Careful planning of control and bus wiring is of great importance as they are the ‘nerves’ of the trains. These lines enable communication between various components and sub-systems in the train. Precise planning ensures that the systems work smoothly together, which is critical to ensuring the safety and efficiency of the rail vehicle.

Specification or evaluation of components and creation of bills of materials for procurement

The selection and evaluation of components used in rail vehicles is an extremely demanding process that is important for the overall performance and safety of these vehicles. We support our customers in this complex area by providing a detailed specification and evaluation of components. In addition, we create comprehensive bills of materials, which are essential for smooth procurement.

The specification of components marks the first crucial step in this process. In doing so, we define in detail the requirements that each component must meet. This includes specific performance characteristics such as capacity and functions, for example, the maximum power of an electric motor for train propulsion. At the same time, we take into account indispensable safety standards that are designed to ensure the reliable operation of the rail vehicle. In addition, environmental requirements such as emission standards are of great importance and are also taken into account.

Once the specifications have been drawn up, the critical phase of evaluating the components available on the market begins. In this step, the various manufacturers, models and variants are thoroughly evaluated. The focus is on quality features, durability, reliability and, last but not least, price. The aim is to select the components that best meet the previously specified requirements.

To ensure a seamless procurement process, we create precise component and parts lists. These lists contain detailed information on the selected components, including information on manufacturers, model numbers, required quantities and other relevant technical data. These lists provide the basis for our customers’ procurement departments to order the required components. Examples of such components range from electronic modules and sensors to bearings and safety equipment.

A key aspect of component selection and procurement is strict adherence to quality standards and safety guidelines. This includes conducting tests and obtaining certifications. In addition, we take industry best practices into account to ensure that the installed components meet the high performance and reliability requirements.

Manufacturing and Installation Drawings

Manufacturing and installation drawings are important documents when it comes to the production and assembly of rail vehicles. Enotrac is dedicated to creating these detailed drawings to ensure that the manufacturing and installation of the various components in the vehicles run smoothly. This has several advantages for efficiency and quality in manufacturing.

First and foremost, manufacturing and installation drawings provide clear visual instructions that make work easier for manufacturers and fitters. These drawings show how the individual parts of a rail vehicle are put together, where they are placed, and how they are connected. This minimises the likelihood of errors, which in turn increases the quality and reliability of the vehicles. Such drawings also ensure that the vehicles produced meet the original plans and specifications. They serve as a kind of ‘blueprint’ that is used as the basis for the actual manufacturing.

The importance of manufacturing and installation drawings extends to various application areas. These include site plans showing the arrangement of components in the vehicle, electrical schematics explaining the cabling and electrical circuits, assembly drawings showing the assembly and installation of the vehicles, and part drawings showing specific components in detail.

Vehicle documentation and production documents

Rail vehicle documentation is essential for maintenance and operation. Enotrac creates comprehensive vehicle documentation, production documents (including wiring documents), and user manuals that are essential for vehicle operation and maintenance. This documentation helps to ensure that vehicles can be operated safely and efficiently and that maintenance work is carried out properly.

Collaboration and expertise

Enotrac works closely with trusted partner offices to perform complex mechanical design and finite element analysis. These strategic partnerships enable us to offer an even wider range of services and ensure that demanding projects are handled efficiently.