New test area: PJM accredited for pantograph

PJM has expanded its scope as an accredited test center in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 and now also tests the dynamic interaction between pantograph and overhead contact line. In addition to measurements in accordance with EN 50317, the accreditation also includes simulations in accordance with EN 50318, making PJM the only company in Austria with accreditation for the specialist area of pantographs.

Over the past two years, the Austrian system specialist has invested in the infrastructure of the new department. The pantograph test rig for calibrating the measuring system - as well as the technical equipment for other areas - has been set up at the company's site in Graz. Extensive tests in the wind tunnel have proven that the measuring system is non-reactive. With the existing measuring equipment, tests can be carried out with up to two measuring pantographs, which means that multiple-unit operations can also be realised. The requirements for the interaction between pantographs and the overhead contact line system of the new service jet for ÖBB had been tested in summer (as announced in the media release: https://pjm.co.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PI-PJM-Servicejet-6-2024-DE-Web2.pdf). In the coming weeks, the measurement technology team will be testing another rail vehicle in single and multiple-unit operations.

‘Due to decarbonisation, the focus will be on electric rail vehicles in the future. With its corresponding expertise and infrastructure, PJM is ideally positioned for the new specialist area,’ says Martin Joch, CEO of PJ Messtechnik GmbH. With the new specialist area, PJM offers several advantages for clients, such as the efficient sequence of the various tests for rail vehicles. The expertise in the area of simulations offers particular added value: ‘Simulations significantly minimise the testing effort for multiple tractions. Theoretical calculations allow the large number of variants to be reduced to relevant train combinations, which are then tested in dynamic track tests. This saves valuable time and reduces costs,’ says Martin Joch.

Get more details in the media release

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Video: Dynamic tests of ČD's passenger coaches

PJM played an important metrological role in the new Viaggio Comfort passenger coaches, which will enrich the fleet of Czech Railways České dráhy and were developed and manufactured by Siemens Mobility.

PJM carried out test runs on the entire Austrian railway network, including high-speed trains on the Westbahn line, in the Alpine terrain in Tyrol and on the Semmering Railway (UNSECO World Heritage Site). The driving behaviour and brakes were tested at 230 km/h or in extremely wintry conditions in the snow.

PJM was also commissioned with the development and production of the measuring wheelsets.

Video

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New service jet from Stadler for ÖBB: Dynamic tests and instrumented wheelsets

ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG has procured a new fleet of rescue trains with 18 new service jets from Stadler. The low-emission and multifunctional vehicles will be in operation throughout Austria, travelling at speeds of up to 160 km/h. PJM was commissioned as an accredited test center in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 for the test runs. The dynamic tests are being carried out in co-operation with the ÖBB mechanical measurement group. PJM was also responsible for the production and development of the instrumented wheelsets. The vehicle tests for the areas of running behavior, brakes, acoustics and pantographs will take place throughout Austria and are expected to be completed in autumn 2024. For unrestricted track access in Austria, the test runs were carried out in test zone 5c, for vehicle authorization for radius curves down to 100 meters. "The instrumented wheelsets were specially developed and manufactured for these specifications in very tight curves. Our wheelsets have proven themselves in the dynamic tests," says Martin Joch, CEO of PJ Messtechnik GmbH.

The new generation of service jets required some innovations in the test runs. "Due to the new standards, these demanding tests were carried out on the ÖBB network for the first time. The results of the test runs are extremely precise and reliable and form a solid basis for evaluating the rail vehicle," says test manager Roman Schmid, ÖBB Produktion GmbH.

Video dynamic tests

Media release

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Dynamic tests, instrumented wheel-sets and simulation for Rhaetian Rail

Projects always take our measurement technology team to particularly beautiful places. This was also the case recently in Switzerland. The Rhaetian Railway makes railway hearts beat faster. The track is one of the most beautiful in the world, and the Bernina and Albula lines are even UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In addition to the picturesque landscape, the technical requirements are fascinating. Typical for the metre gauge track are curves up to 45 m radius and gradients up to 70 ‰. The Allegra multiple-unit train made by Stadler AG, which is used on this line in various vehicle configurations, is perfectly tailored to these high line requirements. In order to test the running characteristics of different train compositions under special operating conditions, PJM was commissioned with running tests.

The project was carried out in several parts by the experienced system specialist from Austria:

  • In the preliminary stage, the wheel-rail forces as well as occurring buffer forces were determined by simulations. In this way, critical conditions or constellations could be resolved computationally. Another advantage is that this keeps the metrological effort to a minimum.
  • Instrumented wheel sets, accelerators, transducers as well as measuring buffers were prepared in the usual way at the company's location in Graz and then installed on the test vehicle at the RhB main workshop in Landquart.
  • The measurement campaign was carried out on the track between Poschiavo and Alp Grüm. In real operation, the running behaviour was tested under increased operating forces. The test runs took place in November 2022. The data analysis and report were recently completed.

Further information in the media release: https://pjm.co.at/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/PI-PJM-Rhaetian-Rail-Web-02-2023-EN.pdf

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PJ Messtechnik GmbH
PJ Monitoring GmbH

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Austria

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