Infrastructure

For rolling stock, EURAILTEST offers type approval tests designed for railway infrastructure.

3D simulation of pantograph-ocl interaction

Objectives include:

• Model all types of OCL system and pantographs
  
• Develop and optimise OCL or pantographs
• Validate systems during the design phase
• Provide effective and cost-efficient solutions in order to improve current collection quality
• Propose solutions to improve infrastructure and rolling stock components
• Provide customers with the simulations required for certification of interoperability components as defined in the technical specifications for interoperability
• Assist in the design of test specifications

Test resources feature OSCAR^® software developed by SNCF (EN 50318 certified).

References include ALSTOM, ATKINS, BOMBARDIER, CFF, Network Rail, and STEMMAN.

Standards worked to are:

• EN 50318
  • Current collection systems
  • Validation of simulation of the dynamic interaction between pantograph and overhead contact line
• EN 50367
  • Current collection systems
  • Technical criteria for the interaction between pantograph and overhead line (to achieve free access)

Traction return current circuit characterisation

Checking that the traction return current is consistent with studies and locate defects in the event of an incident on the line

Objectives include:

• Measure current flowing in the rails in order to characterise the traction return current circuit (1,500V DC / 25,000V, 50Hz AC)
• Measure line voltage and absorbed current in order to characterise the influence of traffic on line voltage
• Measure the relative temperature of the electrical components in the OCL at constant power

Test resources feature:

• LUCIE testing car to monitor electric power facilities
• VULCAIN test wagon capable of absorbing nominal current
• Dedicated measuring chain equipment
• Operators specialising in LUCIE and VULCAIN train operation
• Thermographic camera (for detecting abnormal heating in the vicinity of the OCL)

Some references are ANSALDO STS, INFRABEL, Network Rail, PRORAIL, and SNCF-RÉSEAU.

Rails and turnouts

Contributing to the type approval process through metallurgical testing of infrastructure equipment – especially rails and turnouts.

Objectives include:

• Analyse rails and other metal track components at our dedicated centre or in the field as part of studies, failure analysis and product or equipment type approvals
• Approve thermit and electric welds
• Monitor the electric welding process (bending test)
• Classify broken rails
• Reconstitute defects in 2D or 3D using destructive machining
• Analyse damage to:
  • Infrastructure equipment
  • Rail welds
  • Frogs
• Perform tests for validating electrodes or automatons

Test resource feature:

• Macrographic and micrographic examinations
• Hardness tests
• Press (bending tests)
• Ultrasonic tests
• Eddy current test
• Miniprof (measurement of rail cross-sections)

References for rails and turnout include: ALSTOM, EUROTUNNEL, RAILTECH, RATP, SNCF, TSO

Standards adhered to are:

• EN 14730 – Track – Aluminothermic welding of rails
• EN 14587 – Track – Flash butt welding of rails
• UIC 712 R – Catalogue of rail defects