LRQA USA - Measure the difference

Rail vehicle design and engineering

Good design stands out - effective in function and form. In the complex rail environment, function comes with a required performance capability and adequate safety - aspects which need to be considered at the outset of design.

How we can help

We provide design and engineering services in all aspects of traction and rolling stock fleet including:

• Feasibility studies for new and modified freight and passenger vehicles

• Design of full passenger vehicle interiors, under-frame equipment, cabs, locomotives and bogies using state-of-the-art 3-D CAD modelling and finite element analysis (FEA) software

• Design of new freight vehicles from concept through to production drawings and engineering submissions

• Application of creative thinking and new ideas to the interior design of modern passenger vehicles and the re-furbishment of existing trains including the instalation of new systems such as CCTV, PIS, WiFI, etc

• Structural design through traditional skills and the application of finite element analysis based on intimate knowledge of relevant standards

• Engineering analysis and proposal of solutions following in-service failures including train strikes, structural cracking, bolted connections, complex assemblies

• Detailed gauging and dynamics analysis, including kinematic envelopes, swept envelope comparisons, clearance assessments and vehicle size/load optimisations.

What are the benefits?

• Vehicles designed to your service needs with costs, performance and safety needs optimised at the design stage

• Confidence that national and international standards have been met throughout the process.

Recent projects

• Lloyd's Register has designed wagons for Network Rail to transport yellow plant (bulldozers, excavators, etc) to worksites. Due to gauge restrictions, providing a low deck capable of supporting a 17t central load was an engineering challenge. The vehicles operate at 100kph and hence load restraint was also a key issue with detailed analysis required of strapping and chocking techniques.

• Lloyd's Register has designed the installation of mobile phone enhancement (GSM) equipment for a major UK train operator. This project required the identification of suitable space within the vehicles and safe integration into the electrical systems without compromising reliability or maintainability. A range of antennas was required to be installed discretely within the vehicles and inter-vehicle jumpers were added to help minimise the amount of equipment installed per trainset. Throughout the project, engagement was maintained and evidence was compiled to ensure approvals were obtained against the owner's and operator's change control processes and mandatory approvals regimes.

• Lloyd's Register has completed a full structural analysis of a failed wagon underframe. The vehicle was spotted during a regular examination with a cracked main structural member and a rapid response fleet examination revealed similar problems. Through a detailed finite element analysis, backed up by detailed fleet performance data, Lloyd's Register established the likely cause of the failures and was able to prepare a risk assessment resulting in restricted running for the remainder of the fleet while designing a long term solution.

• Lloyd's Register has designed the installation of a Train Based Train Control (TBTC) signalling system for electric locomotives. This installation included a cab-based man-machine interface, bogie mounted antennas, axle-mounted equipment and body-mounted electrical equipment. The existing train-borne systems had to be retained and as a result the electrical integration was highly complex.