Ferrmed Locomotive Concept Study - 1 - 2

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE
CONCEPT STUDY
By:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 What is FERRMED? ....................................................................................................... 4
1.2 FERRMED Objectives .................................................................................................... 5
1.3 The FERRMED Standards.............................................................................................. 5
2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................... 7
3 EUROPEAN NETWORK CHARACTERISTICS .................................................................... 9
4 INTEROPERABILITY AND CROSS-ACCEPTANCE .......................................................... 12
4.1 Interoperability .............................................................................................................. 12
4.2 ERTMS.......................................................................................................................... 18
4.3 Cross-Acceptance ......................................................................................................... 21
5 STATE-OF-THE-ART WORLDWIDE LOCOMOTIVES ....................................................... 23
6 REQUIRED STARTING TRACTIVE EFFORT AND POWER TO HAUL “FERRMED
TRAINS” ...................................................................................................................................... 27
6.1 Why trains of 3.600t up to 5.000t? ................................................................................ 27
6.2 Maximum admissible trains gross weight ..................................................................... 29
6.3 Starting tractive effort required to haul FERRMED trains ............................................. 36
6.4 Power required to haul FERRMED trains at a defined speed ...................................... 37
6.5 General conclusions: .................................................................................................... 39
7 TECHNICAL PARAMETERS TO HAUL HEAVIER AND LONGER TRAINS ...................... 40
7.1 Power supply ................................................................................................................ 40
7.2 Adhesion ....................................................................................................................... 50
7.3 Coupling: Automatic freight coupler .............................................................................. 51
7.4 Multiple traction ............................................................................................................. 56
7.5 Brake system ................................................................................................................ 58
8 CHARACTERISTICS TO ENSURE THE COMFORT, SAFETY AND SECURITY TO THE
DRIVER. ...................................................................................................................................... 70
8.1 Driver´s cab ................................................................................................................... 70
8.2 Driving Advice Systems and other help devices ........................................................... 74
9 ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS ............................................................................................ 78
9.1 Energy efficiency........................................................................................................... 78
9.2 Exhaust emissions ........................................................................................................ 82
9.3 Noise emissions ............................................................................................................ 86
9.4 Recycling materials ....................................................................................................... 89
10 TRANSITION PERIOD ..................................................................................................... 91
11 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................ 93
12 SUMMARY: HOW IS FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE? ......................................... 95
FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

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1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 What is FERRMED?

At the drawn of the 21st century, the European Union faces extraordinary challenges. The
urgent need to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of our economy – in view of fierce
competition from abroad – coupled with the need to bring cohesiveness to an enlarged Union of
twenty seven member states, with almost 500 million inhabitants, and to ensure the
sustainability of our environment, society and values, call for decisive measures.
Central to these challenges is freight transport. We need a freight transport system that is more
efficient, effective, competitive, environmentally friendly, reliable, encompassing and safer than
the system we have today.
Until the first half of the 20th century, rail freight transport was one of the main pillars of the
European transport system. This changed in the second half of the 20th century, due to the
growth in road transport. The strategic importance of rail freight transport has resurfaced due to
its relatively larger freight carrying potential capacity and its efficiency in terms of energy use,
low greenhouse emissions and generally low environmental impact, as recognized by the public
and the private sector.
Recognizing the necessity to shift freight transport from road to railways as well as to achieve
system interoperability, the European Union has issued a significant amount of legislation and
regulations since the 1990s on rail transport policies and standards that is still in the process of
being adopted by Member States.
The private sector has an important role to play in the process of reconstructing a rail freight
transport system that responds more efficiently to the needs of trade, industry and services, as
well as instrumental in the adoption and implementation of harmonized rail freight policies and
standards in the European Union.
Having these challenges and alternatives in mind, FERRMED was founded in Brussels on 5
August 2004 as a non-profit association which seeks to enhance European competitiveness
and sustainable development by improving rail freight transport. Today FERRMED is supported
by 143 members, including key business institutions and private companies from all over
Europe and North Africa.

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1.2 FERRMED Objectives
Consistently with the objectives pursued by the European Union, FERRMED advocates,
supports and promotes the following main objectives:
 To promote the creation of the Great Axis Rail Freight Scandinavia – Rhine – Rhone –
Western – Mediterranean.
 To promote the implementation of the FERRMED Standards in the EU and neighboring
countries rail networks.
 To improve intermodal freight transportation – railway being one of the modes – all over
the EU and its neighboring countries.
 To improve ports and airports rail connections with their respective hinterlands.
 To contribute to a more sustainable overall development through the reduction of
pollution and green house gas emissions.
 To stimulate European competitiveness through the continuous improvements of the
global/multimodal chain of added value in the European Union and its neighboring
countries.
1.3 The FERRMED Standards

Interoperability is the key to improve the competitiveness of rail freight in the EU. To this end,
FERRMED proposes a set of standards which, albeit ambitious, could be gradually
implemented:
1. A EU reticular and polycentric network with a great socio-economic and intermodal
impact (comprising three or four great North-South and three great East-West Trans-
European axes, jointly with their corresponding subsidiary main feeding lines).
The main branches of the axes should have:

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a. Electrified (preferably 25.000 volts) conventional lines with double track, axle
load of 22.5 ÷ 25 tones, giving same priority to common freight trains than
passenger trains.
b. High performances parallel lines available for exclusive or preferential use of
passenger and light fast moving freight transportation properly connected with
the main airports network.
2. Width of the tracks: UIC.
3. UIC C loading gauge.
4. Freight trains length reaching 1.500 meters with loading capacity from 3.600 to 5.000
tones.
5. A maximum slope of 0.012 and limited ramps length.
6. Huge cities by-passes for freight.
7. Availability of a network of intermodal polyvalent and flexible terminals with a high level
of performance and competitiveness based in the harbors and main logistics nodes of
the great axes.
8. Usable length of siding and terminals for 1.500 m trains.
9. Unified management, monitoring and traking (trough ITS) systems by main branches of
every great axis.
10. ERTMS system with “two ways working” along the tracks.
11. Availability of capacity and traffic schedules for freight transportation “24 hours a day
and 7 days a week”.
12. Harmonization of the administrative formalities and the social legislation.
13. Transport system management shared with several rail operators (free competition).
14. Favorable and homogeneous fees for the use of infrastructures, bearing in mind the
socioeconomic and environmental advantages of the railway.
15. Rail freight management philosophy based on the principles of the “R+D+4i” (Research,
Development, innovation, identity, impact, infrastructures) in the rail freight network, as
an integral part of the global chain of added value.
16. Reduction of the environmental impact of the freight transporting system (particularly
noise, vibration and CO2 emissions) as a result of the retrofitting old railway rolling
stock, infrastructural solutions where needed, and an increase in the share of the rail in
long distance land transport up to 30 ÷ 35%.
17. Locomotive and wagon concepts adapted to FERRMED Technical Standards.

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2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The final objective of FERRMED Standards, of FERRMED Freight Locomotive Concept and
FERRMED Wagon Concept is to increase the competitiveness and profitability of the freight
transport in Europe to reduce logistics costs of the companies making them more competitive.
To achieve this purpose, FERRMED proposes:
o To increase the length and the load of the train to 1500m and 3600 ÷ 5000 tons with
22.5 tons per axle (in the future 25 t/axle)
o To allow the free circulation of freight trains at least along the European Rail Freight
Core Network. Due to the barriers (legal, political and physical) that traditionally the
countries have made to international rail traffic; interoperability is one of the main
issues that European locomotives should solve.
First reflection is, that requirements needed in Europe are completely different than other
countries like US, Australia, China,...due to different type of topography, distribution of the cities,
costs, infrastructure...so, the rolling stock should be designed based on European problems.
The objective of this study is to define the minimum parameters that the EU locomotives
should have to fulfil the FERRMED Standards, particularly long and heavy trains. The here
called “FERRMED trains” are trains 1500m long and with a load of 3600 ÷ 5000 tons. They
have to be able to start on maximum slope from static state (slope of 12 ‰) according with the
FERRMED Standards.
The items analyzed are: starting tractive effort, adherent weight, adhesion, power required and
power supply, coupling, multiple traction, brake system, interoperability, comfort and safety of
the driver, signalling, noise, emissions and energy efficiency among others.
More power does not mean more load. More powerful locomotive allows operations at higher
speed and acceleration, but there are other parameters that define if a load can be hauled or
not and if this train can start or not. These parameters are:
o Gradient of the slopes
o Type of coupling
o Adhesion
o Starting tractive effort of the locomotive
o Adherent weight of the locomotive/s.
Starting tractive effort required to start and to haul “FERRMED trains” in slopes of 12‰ are
between 600kN and 800kN depending on the total tons transported. That is double than current
European locomotives have (300kN have Bo-Bo locomotives, 400kN have Co-Co locomotives),
therefore, it will be necessary more than 1 locomotive to haul “FERRMED trains”.
Adherent weight of the locomotives increases with the number of motorized axles of the
locomotive and with the axle load. Under European infrastructure constrains (maximum 22,5
t/axle) at least 12 axles are required to haul “FERRMED trains”.
Therefore, although in terms of purchasing costs, operational costs or maintenance costs… it
will be more competitive to operate “FERRMED Trains” with just a powerful locomotive; it is
necessary at least 2 Co-Co locomotives or 3 Bo-Bo locomotives to start such trains of 3600 t ÷
5000t in slopes of 12‰.
Limitations of adhesion by the Infrastructure Administrations should be revised and updated.
Thanks to new technologies, current and future locomotives can achieve better adhesion

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coefficients than former ones with just electromechanical adhesion control systems. FERRMED
recommends accepting at least an adhesion coefficient (µo) of 33%.
The total power required to haul “FERRMED trains” in an adequate speed will round 7.000 KW
to 10.000 kW. But, it is enough that FERRMED Locomotive has 3.500 KW to 5.000 KW with the
capacity to operate in multiple traction. Anyway, more powerful locomotives have advantages
respect speed and acceleration.
Power can be supplied by the catenary, by diesel motors or by any new energy supply
technology feasible in the future: fuel-cell, batteries …
Couplings with higher resistance as the current screw coupling are also required. Automatic
coupling is the best option in terms of resistance and safety but also to allow longer trains than
current European ones. The coupling should be universal for all types of European locos and
wagons. It should also be compatible with Russian coupling and during the transition period, it
should be compatible with current screw coupling.
FERRMED locomotive should be interoperable, so they should meet following requirements:
- Fulfill all applicable TSI, European Directives and national-specific norms
- Be homologated for all countries where it will operate
- Track gauge: 1435mm
- Diesel or electrical multi-tension locomotive at least until the whole Freight Core
Network has the same voltage, 25kV
- Equipped with European Central Driver Desk.
- ERTMS should be the communication system between train and rail, replacing the
system used in each country actually. FERRMED Locomotive should be able for
ERTMS level2: equipped with ETCS and GSM-R radio system.
FERRMED locomotive must allow distributed multiple traction. The communication between
locomotives can be wireless (via radio) or wire-connected.
FERRMED locomotive should have the capability of communication with the wagons.
Brake system must be E-ECP (Enhanced-Electronically controlled pneumatic system
FERRMED locomotive should ensure the comfort of the driver but also the safety of driver and
load.
FERRMED locomotive should have also a commitment with the environment including all
innovations to reduce noise and exhaust emissions but also the energy consumption.
Locomotive must be recyclable as much as it could be possible (around 90 ÷ 95%), producing
minimum pollution as possible and be silent and efficient as much as it could be possible.
Many of the innovations of the FERRMED Freight Locomotive Concept are already developed
but still not implemented. The total implementation of some of them like ERTMS, automatic
coupling, E-ECP brake, distributed multiple traction via radio or wire-connected… will require
still some years. During this transition period, rolling stock should incorporate gradually the
innovations. For example, the automatic coupler has to be compatible with current screw
couplers installed in thousand of wagons; or locomotives should have on-board ETCS but also
national safety systems until ERTMS is full extended over the European Rail Freight Core
Network.

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3 EUROPEAN NETWORK CHARACTERISTICS
Before analyzing how should be future European locomotives to have a competitive European
rail freight transport, a short description about European network situation and the worldwide
state-of-the–art locomotives should be made to compare with other countries and take from
them characteristics that can be applied in Europe.
Depending on which characteristics have a country or region, it‟s about building the most
convenient structure for it. If all countries had same characteristics, there would be only one
solution. The characteristics can be economical (maybe there are less tax if the transport is by
rail than by road or in USA where the low cost of fuel gives an advantage to diesel locomotives),
political (the government interest in this type of transport), geographical, historical, social,…
With that in view, there is a basic description on each region where rail freight transport plays an
important roll.
Following table shows the rail freight traffics in different countries
Figure 1
USA, China and Russia are the countries where more ton-km are transported by rail.
Europe has less ton-km than Canada and the population of Canada is around 34 million while in
Europe the population is around 500 million persons.
In Europe only 14% of the surface transport is made by railways and inside Europe there are
big difference between countries, In Eastern Europe this percentage is relative big compared for
example with Spain, where only 4% is moving by rail. Following table shows these differences.

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Figure 2
Certainly, Europe has many differences between countries (voltage, gauges signaling,…)
compared to USA or China that harm the interoperability along Europe as required by
FERRMED.
The poor situation of the European rail freight transport is due to diverse factors that can be
summarized in:
1. Political barriers: the different European Governments consider rail freight transport as
a sub-product of the railways giving priority to passenger transport in most of the cases.
Taking examples from other countries where this type of transport is going well, we can
mention USA (40% freight by railroad), Russia or China (50% freight by railroad). It has
also to be mentioned that in these countries distances are much longer than in Europe,
making much more interesting the railroad freight transport.
2. Infrastructures:
- As consequence of point 1, there are not dedicated freight corridors in Europe
or lines where freight transport has priority over passenger transport. Despite
the needed huge investments, it is necessary in areas with great population,
where rail network is saturated with passenger trains, to have by-passes or
corridors for freight transport. These “dedicated” freight corridors have also the
advantage that allow much more trains because all the average speed of freight
trains is similar improving the trip time, the slot occupation and so, the volume
of goods transported.
- Lack of efficient rail access to intermodal terminals like ports that allow the
transfer of goods between modes of transport
- Length of stations, marshalling yards, terminals and overtaking tracks that limit
also the length of the train. Some European countries allow 750m but the length
of the train in most of them is around 450m or even lower. In USA, South Africa

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and China are running trains of 2500m and in Australia 3000m that is, five times
more than in Europe.
- Maximum axle-load allowed in Europe is 22,5t/axle or even lower in some
corridors while USA allows 32,5 t/axle (almost 50% more).
As it has been seen comparing Europe with countries with a high percentage of rail
freight transport, it is necessary to transport more tons per train to have a competitive
and efficient rail freight transport. That can be done increasing the length of the train but
also the axle-load. Some countries like Sweden have already corridors with 25t/axle
and other like Germany, France or The Netherlands are trying to run trains of 1000m
FERRMED proposes to keep 22.5 t/axle in the conventional existing lines and to look
for 25 t/axle in the new ones (10% more freight) and trains of 1500m starting by unifying
the length of the train to 750m for all Europe.
3. Interoperability barriers between countries: there are different regulation but also
other physical barriers like different voltage, radio frequency, track gauges, signaling
systems, load gauges,
Following point will explain the current interoperability barriers in Europe and which of
them are solved by the rolling stock.

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4 INTEROPERABILITY AND CROSS-ACCEPTANCE
4.1 Interoperability
Interoperability is the ability of two or more systems or components to exchange information and
to use this information; Interoperability gives the possibility to operate in several countries with
the same rolling stock, locomotives and freight wagons.
Nowadays, many “physical” and “legal” differences between neighboring countries avoid the
interoperability of the rolling stock. FERRMED standards promote the total interoperability
around Europe to facilitate European rail freight transport in a safer and cheaper way.
European Commission, European countries and manufacturers are working since some years
to improve the interoperability of the European rail network. For example, it has been created
the European Railway Agency (ERA) to regulate the existing chaos. ERA is responsible of
developing the Technical Specification of Interoperability, TSI, which are the new norms that
interoperable rolling stock should fulfill. Some TSI are already mandatory but some of them are
still in development and it will take some years to be completely operative.
For freight transport, rolling stock should meet following norms to be interoperable:
o Conventional Rail Rolling Stock TSI: Beginning 2009 was finished the draft version and
middle of 2010 will come into force for locomotives and conventional rolling stock (up to
200km/h)
o Freight Wagon TSI: since July 2006 is mandatory
o Horizontal TSI: Noise TSI, Freight TSI, Crash TSI…
o Other European Directives that affect the rail rolling stock: Fire, Emissions (NRMM
2004/26/EC)
o Other country-specific norms that the rolling stock should meet to be certified in these
countries. In Spain this norms are the ETH and are mandatory since beginning 2010.
Although rail manufacturers have solved some interoperability problems with innovations on the
rolling stock, still now, in many cross-border operations driver and locomotives should be
changed. Most of the freight wagons can run along Europe crossing countries if they are
certified for it. The only interoperability problem related with the wagon is the track gauge or
track width. For example, in the Spanish-French border where the track width changes from
1668mm to 1435mm, well the load is changed also to other wagons, or well, wagons remain the
same but their axles should be changed.
Following points will give a vision of the main interoperability barriers that European rail network
has and how can be solved with the current technology.

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4.1.1 Different electrification
Figure 3
As it can be seen on the map, there are many different types of voltage around Europe; even
some countries have two of them.
Nowadays this barrier is overcome thanks to improvements in rolling stock. Diesel locomotives
but also multi-system electrical locomotives can operate in different countries.
Anyway FERRMED proposes for the big freight corridors to use 25kV and 50 Hz. The higher the
voltage, the lowest current intensity required which lowers the energy cost, and the thermal
losses.
Big countries like USA or Australia, with extensive areas without population and long travel
distances, chose the no-electrification of the large freight corridors due to economical reason.
There, diesel locomotives are used for transporting goods.

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4.1.2 Different Track Gauges
Figure 4
In Europe there are different track gauges:

- 762 mm: It is used in some lines of Austria, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Balkan
countries.
- 1.000 mm: Also called “metric gauge”. It can be found principally in mountainous
countries like Spain, Switzerland or Austria.
- 1.435 mm: Also called “standard gauge” or “UIC gauge”. It is used in most Europe
- 1.520 / 1.524 mm: Also called “Russian gauge”. IT can be found in Russia, Finland, and
in countries of the all Soviet Union.
- 1.600 mm in Ireland
- 1.668 / 1.674 mm: Also called “Iberian gauge” because it can be found in Spain and
Portugal.
The track gauges of 762mm and 1.000mm can be found in very specific lines and are not very
relevant for the total of the rail freight transport.
But, Iberian and Russian gauges are barriers for the cross-borders traffics inside Europe.
Until the technology for variable wide bogies in freight transport (locomotives and wagons) is
available, like it is already available in passenger transport, the solutions are to change the
locomotive at the border and well to move the load to other wagons or well, to change the axles
of the wagons. These solutions solve the problem on the border but require plus operations that
make the transport slower, more complicated and more expensive. In definitive, the cross-
border freight rail transport loses competitiveness respect the road.
FERRMED‟s standards propose only one type of track width (1435mm) along FERRMED Great
Axis to simplify cross-border operations.

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4.1.3 Different Loading Gauge
Figure 5
The gauge of the train is an important parameter to consider mainly operating on tunnels and
bridges. It also affects to the clearance regarding other objects, like stations, platforms or other
trains when crossing. Major part of European countries meet UIC 505-1 but there are others
like Spain Portugal or Great Britain that have their own rules.
Figure 7
Figure 6
FERRMED proposes gauge UIC-C because it is the biggest one in Europe and allow the
transport of all kind of containers and swap-bodies.

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4.1.4 Direction of Running
As it is shown in the figure, the direction of running is not the same in each European country.
This interoperability barrier is solved by the European Driver Cab (see chapter 7.2), taken by
FERRMED project, presents a new driver desk where the driver is seating in the center of the
cabin, solving the problems due to different direction of running.
European Driver Cab has been developed by most of the European rolling stock manufacturers
under the coordination of UNIFE in the FP6 project EUDD+ .

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4.1.5 Different safety systems
Each country has its own safety systems for example ASFA in Spain, PZB in Germany, in
France KVB, Netherlands ATBL_NL…
At the moment, a locomotive that operates in more than one country should have mounted the
safety system of each country. The problem is solved but it means an extra cost for the operator
in the purchasing price of the locomotive.
With the incorporation of ERTMS in all countries, at least in the main corridors, the
Governments try to unify and use the same safety system. See more details in point 3.2.
ERTMS
Figure 9
4.1.6 Different radio frequency and radio system
Also the radio frequency reserved for radio communications of railways is different in each
country.
This interoperability barrier should be solved to operate trains with more than one locomotive
along the train. The communications between locomotives, when one is in the head and the
other/s in the middle or at the end of the train, should be by radio or by wire-connection. More
details in “point 5.4. Multiple traction”,
All countries should reserve the same frequency range for railways communications or at least,
it should be chosen some frequencies for this purpose.
With the implementation of ERTMS, the radio system for European railways will be GSM-R
(more details in point 3.2: ERTMS)

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4.2 ERTMS
Introduction
The European Railway Traffic Management System (ERTMS) is a major industrial project
developed by six UNIFE members – Alstom Transport, Ansaldo STS, Bombardier
Transportation, Invensys Rail Group, Siemens Mobility and Thales – in close cooperation with
the European Union, railway stakeholders and the GSM-R industry.
ERTMS has two basic components:
 ETCS, the European Train Control System, is an automatic train protection system
(ATP) to replace the existing national ATP-systems;
 GSM-R, a radio system for providing voice and data communication between the track
and the train, based on standard GSM using frequencies specifically reserved for rail
application with certain specific and advanced functions.
ERTMS aims at replacing the different national train control and command systems in Europe.
The deployment of ERTMS will enable the creation of a seamless European railway system and
increase European railway‟s competitiveness so what it makes border-crossing easier and
remedy the fragmentary nature of the railway market, it increases both freight and passenger
capacity, it reduces maintenance costs and it ensures maximum safety.
Why does Europe need ERTMS?

Currently there are more than 20 train control systems across the European Union. Each train
used by a national rail company has to be equipped with at least one system but sometimes
more, just to be able to run safely within that one country,
Each system is stand-alone and non-interoperable, and therefore requires extensive integration,
engineering effort, raising total delivery costs for cross-border traffic. This restricts competition
and hampers the competitiveness of the European rail sector vis-à-vis road transport by
creating technical barriers to international journeys. For instance, the Thalys train sets running
between Paris-Brussels-Cologne and Amsterdam have to be equipped with 7 different types of
train control systems, which brings considerable costs.
A unique train control system for Europe and beyond

As a unique European train control system, ERTMS is designed to gradually replace the
existing incompatible systems throughout Europe. This will bring considerable benefits to the
railway sector as it will boost international freight and passenger transport.
In addition, ERTMS is arguably the most performant train control system in the world and brings
significant advantages in terms of maintenance costs savings, safety, reliability, punctuality and
traffic capacity. This explains why ERTMS is increasingly successful outside Europe, and is
becoming the train control system of choice for countries such as China, India, Taiwan, South
Korea and Saudi Arabia.
By making the rail sector more competitive, ERTMS helps to level the playing field with road
transport and ultimately provides significant environmental gains.
ERTMS is as a result of the union between ETCS +GSM-R where ETCS is the new control-
command system and GSM-R is the new radio system for voice and data communication.
Together, they form ERTMS.

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How does it work?
Thanks to ERTMS, trains can receive traffic management information (authorized speed,
signals/points, safety distances between trains etc.) from the track, enabling it to calculate its
maximum authorized speed continuously. A continuous stream of data informs the driver of line-
specific data and signals status on the route ahead, allowing the train to reach its maximum or
optimal speed but still maintaining a safe braking distance factor. This information is transmitted
by standardized beacons –eurobalises–installed along the rails. FERRMED Locomotive uses
ERTMS level 2 that there‟s a continuous dialogue with the movement authority that‟s
communicated directly from a Radio Block Centre (RBC) to the onboard unit using GSM-R. In
this way, the driver remains in uninterrupted contact with the control centers. Traditional track-
based signals are no longer necessary.
Whilst enabling greatly reduced maintenance costs through the removal of lineside signals,
ERTMS Level 2 also presents the possibility for substantial line capacity increase by enabling
higher operational speeds and offering reduced headways: more capacity means more trains
moving, this more benefits.
Also, there are more main benefits like much more interoperability, highest levels of safety, low
installation and maintenance costs.
Here two pictures to show ERTMS level 2.
Figure 10. Source Internet

For more information, visit http://www.ertms.com/images2007/level2_video.mpg

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State of art of ERTMS
Are our fleets adapted to ERTMS? How many trains are? Which countries are more adapted to
that system? At the next information table are answer these questions
Statistics show that EU countries are gradually installing ERTMS on some of their train lines,
countries outside Europe are also starting to embrace ERTMS as their train control system of
choice. This is explained by the numerous benefits brought by ERTMS on top of interoperability.
You can access the full list of ERTMS projects worldwide by visiting the projects part of the
website.
Are the countries investing on ERTMS system?
Countries are investing gradually

in that project as well in the
infrastructure as in the on-board
equipment.
Some countries invest only in new
vehicles equipped with this system
like Austria and other overhaul the
current fleet equipping vehicles
and locomotives with onboard
ERTMS systems, which is the
case of Spain and France.

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4.3 Cross-Acceptance
Currently, the second problem to cross Europe with the same train is that the rolling stock
should be homologated in each country where it will operate.
Normally, countries recognize the certification of freight wagons, that is, if a country certifies a
freight wagon type, other countries recognize also this certification and wagons of this type can
run on them. There are some exceptions like Spain due to the different track gauge
Anyway, homologation of locomotives is still a big problem. Manufacturers should repeat same
tests and documentation in each country where they want to sell the locomotives. For
manufacturers that means a huge cost in money and time and besides, this cost is not easy
forecasted in advanced.
th
On December 13 2006, the European Commission adopted a series of measures to support
the revitalization of the railway sector by removing obstacles to the circulation of trains
throughout the European rail network. The measures included a Communication on the
simplification of certification of railway vehicles, a proposal to recast the existing Railway
Interoperability Directives and to modify the Regulation establishing a European Railway
Agency and the Railway Safety Directive.
Countries had also adopted measurements to facilitate the homologation of locomotives and the
cross-border rail traffic by Cross-Acceptance agreements.
Cross-Acceptance is an intermediate step to the total European Interoperability. They are
bilateral agreements between neighboring countries where they decide which issues and norms
are similar in both countries and which not. Rolling stock already homologated in a country
should not repeat the whole homologation process in the second one; the similar issues will be
automatic accepted and only the differences should repeat the homologation tests.For example,
Dynamic behavior tests according UIC518 / EN14363 must be repeated in France and in
Germany due to different track conicity (1/40 in Germany and 1/20 in France). This item is not
Cross-Acceptable.
Cross-Acceptance agreements facilitate homologation process and save costs and time to the
manufacturers. As a consequence, cross-acceptance will be reduce the purchasing cost of the
rolling stock and it will make more competitive the rail freight transport.
Germany has Cross-Acceptance agreements with all its neighboring countries.
France and Spain signed also a Cross Acceptance protocol at beginning 2010.

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Figure 11
“FERRMED Locomotives” should be interoperable and homologated in all EU

countries, so they should meet following requirements:
o Fulfil all applicable TSI, European Directives and country-specific norms
o Be able for track gauge 1435mm
o Diesel or electrical multi-tension at least until the whole network has the
same voltage, 25kV
o Equipped with European Central Desk
o Be able for ERTMS Level 2: equipped with ETCS and GSM-R radio system

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5 STATE-OF-THE-ART WORLDWIDE LOCOMOTIVES
Starting effort Max. Speed
Continent Locomotive Name Manufacturer Type Power (MW) Nº of axles Weight (T) Axle load Coupling type Build date
(kN) (Kph)
Europe Prima I* Alstom Electric 4,2 4 320 90 22,5 140 UIC-type 2001
Europe Prima II* Alstom Electric 6,4(B) 4 320 (B) 88(B) 22.5 140 (B) UICD-type 2009
Europe EURO3000 Vossloh DE 2,4 4 280 82 20,5 120 UIC-type 2005
Europe EURO4000 Vossloh DE 3,2 6 400 123 20,5 120 UIC-type-135t 2006
Europe EUROLight Vossloh DE 2,8 4 300 79 19,75 120 UIC-type 2010
Europe G2000BB Vossloh DH 2,24 4 283 87,3 21,8 120 UIC-type 2000
Eurosprinter
Europe Siemens Electric 6,4 4 300 87 21,75 140 UIC-type 2003
ES64F4*
Europe Eurorunner ER20 Siemens DE 2 4 235 80? 20? 90/140 UIC-type 2004
Europe /
Eurorunner ER20CF Siemens DE 2 6 450 135,7 22,6 120 SAE3 2007
Lituania
Europe Traxx F140MS* Bombardier Electric 5,6 4 300 85 21,25 140 UIC-type 2006
Europe Traxx F140DE Bombardier DE 2,2 4 270 80? 20? 140 UIC-type 2006
Europe Class 380 ČD Skoda Electric 6,4 4 274 - 200 UIC-type
Europe Class 66/ JT42CWR EMD DE 2,42/ 2,2Tractiv 6 409 126,9 21,1 120 UIC-type 1998
Europe PowerHaul GE DE 2,75 6 129 21,5 120 UIC-type 2009
Europe Maxima 40 CC Voith DH 3,6 6 408 135 22,5 120 UIC-type 2006
Europe /
E6ACT ZNLE Electric 5 6 116 19,3 140 UIC-type 2009
Poland
Europe Bitrac CAF Dual 4,4/3,6 6 445 135 22,5 120 UIC-type 2010

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Starting effort Max. Speed Build
Continent Locomotive Name Manufacturer Type Power (MW) Nº of axles Weight (T) Axle load Coupling type
(kN) (Kph) date
USA** SDT70M-2 EMD DE 3,2 MW 6 725 177 29.5 112 Automatic 2007
USA** SDT70ACe EMD DE (4.300THP) 6 850 185 31 112 Automatic 2005
USA** ES44DC GE DE 3,28 MW 6 632 186 31 112,6 Automatic
USA** ES44AC GE DE (4.400HP ) 6 880 188 31,3 120 Automatic 2003
Australia SD70ACe/Ic or GT46 ACe EMD DE 3,2 6 600 134 22,7 130 Automatic 2005
Australia ES44ACi or AC6000CW GE DE 4,6 6 192 32 120 Automatic
Australia Class 7100 Siemens Electric 4 6 132 22 80 Automatic
HXD1 Siemens/Zhuzh
China Electric 9,6 8 760 200 25 120 Automatic 2006
HXD2 Alstom/Datong
China HXD3 Dalian/Toshiba Electric 7,2 6 570 150 25 120 Automatic 2006
Siemens /
China HXD1B Electric 9,6 6 150 25 120 Automatic 2009
Zhuzhou
China HXD2B /Prima Alstom/Datong Electric 9,6 6 580 150 25 120 Automatic 2010
Bombardier/
China HXD3B Electric 9,6 6 580 150 25 120 Automatic 2010
Dalian
4,5 MW
China HXN3 / JT56ACe EMD/Dalian DE 6 620 150 25 120 Automatic 2008
(6000HP)
4,660 MW
China ES59ACi / HXN5 GE/Qishuyan DE 6 620 150 25 120 Automatic 2008
(6250HP)
India GT46MAC/ WDG-4 EMD/DLW DE 3MW (4000HP) 6 540 126 21 160 UIC/ Automatic 2001
4,5 MW
India WAG-9H ABB/CLW Electric 6 510 135 22,5 100 UIC/ Automatic 1996
(6000HP)
Japan EH200 Toshiba Electric 4,52 4+4 271,8 134,4 16,8 110 UIC/ Automatic 2001
Kolomensky
Russia Tep70 DE 2,9 6 288 135 21,8 160 SA-3 1973
Zavod
Automatic ( knuckle
South Africa GT206CU-3/Class 39-200 EMD DE 2,4 6 350 KN 126 21 140
coupler)

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Notes:
* It has been taken into account only the multi-system electric locomotives of Alstom, Siemens and
Bombardier because they are the newest but there are also other models of electric locomotives
which voltage depend son the country where are running.
** GE and EMD developed for USA DE locomotives with 6.000HP but in both cases these
locomotives gave lots of problems and there are only few in operation. So, for this study it has been
taken into account only the newest locomotives of GE and EMD with 4,400 HP and 4,300 HP
respectively both with traction DC and AC.
Conclusions of the table

The tables summarize the state-of-the-art freight locomotives that operate in Europe and in
other countries to compare them and to see what it is necessary for long and heavy trains and
what can be used in Europe. ,.
How is the European‟s Locomotive fleet today? What about the other and most important
countries on railway freight transport? What should be improved? Could we take the model of
other countries for Europe? The questions should be answer after this analysis about our
markets
o USA:
In USA, the allowed axle-load is higher than 30t/axles, the locomotives weight much more
than in other countries so they have high adhesion and starting tractive effort (around 700
kN – 850kN). Therefore, these locomotives can haul higher loads than in other countries.
Rail infrastructure in USA is used mostly by transporting goods and it is not electrified. They
used Co-Co diesel locomotives of around 4.000 – 5.000 HP and to get more power use
multiple traction (2 or more locomotives along the train).
They use also automatic coupling that have double resistance that European ones.
All these factor: infrastructure, higher axle-load, automatic coupling, multiple traction… allow
long and heavy trains like FERRMED proposes. But most of these factors are not possible
at the moment in Europe due to infrastructure constrains.
o CHINA:
The newest Chinese locomotives do not weight so much like American ones although
achieve 25 t/axles (about 10% more than in Europe) .They have 6 axles, tractive effort
around 600 KN (almost double than European locomotives), automatic coupling and are
powerful.
In China, both kinds of traction, the electric traction and the diesel one are used.
Trains achieve here also 2.500m.
o AUSTRALIA, INDIA, SOUTH AFRICA:

In Australia, India and South Africa trains are normally very long (around 2 km) but axle
loads are similar to European ones. The difference with Europe is that they used Co-Co
locomotives with high starting tractive effort and automatic coupling that allow multiple
traction.

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o EUROPE:
In Europe, there are electric and diesel locomotives and they can have 4 or 6 axles.
The power is between 2 and 6 MW and tractive effort is around 300kN for Bo-Bo
locomotives and 400kN for Co-Co locomotives.
The axle load is restricted to 22,5 t/axle and automatic coupling is not used. Screw coupling,
with less resistance of automatic ones, allows just 2 locomotives in the head of the train.
All these rolling-stock factors together with the network restrictions described before make
European freight trains “short and light”
In following chapters it will be described how future European locomotives should be to haul
trains of 1.500m and 3.600 t ÷ 5.000t.

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6 REQUIRED STARTING TRACTIVE EFFORT AND POWER TO
HAUL “FERRMED TRAINS”
6.1 Why trains of 3.600t up to 5.000t?

FERRMED proposed trains of 1.500m to have the possibility to joint two trains of 750m or three
trains of 500m that coming from feeder lines in a unique train that can run on main corridor.
6.1.1 Intermodal train of 1.500 m
There are many different freight wagons for container transport, for example, Lgnss45´, Sgnss
60´, Sggrss 80´, Sggmrss 90´, Sggmrss 104´. The most used in Europe is the bogie wagon of
60´ but due to the increase of maritime containers of 40´ and 45´, the wagon of 80ánd 90´have
a greater potential to be used in the future.
LMPW 80´
FERRMED Lgnss45´ Sgnss 60´ Sggrss 80´ Sggmrss 90´
Aprox. Length 26 m 14 m 20 m 26,4 m 29,6 m
Aprox.Tare weight 24 t 12 t 20 t 26 t 29 t
Max.weight 100 t 45 t 90 t 135 t 135 t
Load capacity 76 t 33 t 70 t 109 t 106 t
Load capacity 4 TEU 2 TEU 3 TEU 4 TEU 4 TEU
Aprox. tare of 20ćontainer 2 t 2 t 2 t 2 t 2 t
Axle-load 25 t/axle 22,5 t/axle 22,5 t/axle 22,5 t/axle 22,5 t
Number of wagons 55 103 73 55 49
Number of TEU (20ćontainer) 220 206 219 220 196
Maximal gross weight 5.500 t 4.635 t 6.570 t 7.425 t 6.615 t
maximal payload 3.740 t 2.987 t 4.672 t 5.555 t 4.802 t
Length of train without locos 1.425 m 1.442 m 1.460 m 1.452 m 1450,4 m
It has been also considered the FERRMED long multi-purpose wagon of 80´ (LMPW) described
in the study “FERRMED Wagon Concept”.
In a train of 1.500m fit 55 wagons of 80´ or 73 of 60´, that is, 220 TEUS.
Normally wagons and also the containers are not loaded at maximum. Besides, it is very usual
to transport empty containers and empty wagons and mixed in the same trains full wagons with
empty ones.
“FERRMED trains” (3.600t -5.000t) can be calculated considering a ratio load superior to 50%.

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6.1.2 Bulk train of 1.500 m
Shorter wagons are used to transport heavy cargo. Normally the length of these wagons is
around 14m or around 18,5m depending of the use.
“FERRMED Wagon Concept” develops two kinds of platform wagons for heavy load and 25
t/axle
FERRMED
Smms-1 Smms-2 Sgmmns-w HCW-1 HCW-2
Aprox. Length 13,86 m 18,53 m 13,9 m 13,7 m 17,2 m
Aprox.Tare weight 20,6 t 22,2 t 18,2 t 17 t 19 t
Max.weight 79,6 t 80,2 t 100 t 100 t 100 t
Load capacity 59 t 58 t 81,8 t 83 t 81 t
Axle-load 20 t 20 t 25 t 25 t 25 t
Length of train without locos 1455,3 m 1482,4 m 1459,5 m 1452,2 m 1462 m
Length of train without locos 693 m 704,14 m 695 m 685 m 688 m
Normally bulk trains are loaded to their maximum capacity, that is, the load ratio is around
100%. As we can see in the table, a bulk train of 1.500m can have a gross weight of around
10.000t.
It seems more efficient because of traction and brake reasons to limit to 750m the trains with
heavy cargo, so the maximum gross weight is between 3.000 and 5.000t.

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6.2 Maximum admissible trains gross weight
Train gross weight includes the tare-weight of the wagons and the payload but it does not
include the weight of the locomotive. It is also called “load of the trains”.
It is calculated as the minimum between the maximum admissible train gross weight in the start
and the maximum admissible train gross weight during running.
In the start During running
 Maximum admissible train gross  Maximum admissible train gross

weight depending on locomotive weight depending on running
characteristics (starting tractive adhesion
effort)
 Maximum admissible train gross
 Maximum admissible train gross weight depending on continuous
weight depending on starting regime (not applicable)
adhesion
 Maximum admissible train gross
weight depending on coupling
6.2.1 Maximum admissible train gross weight in the start
The maximum admissible train gross weight that a locomotive can start is defined by the
maximum tractive effort at wheel rim of the locomotive during the start and that can be limited by
the own characteristics of the locomotive or by the starting adhesion.
The effort in the coupling limits also the maximum admissible load of the train.
6.2.1.1 Maximum train gross weight that can be started depending on starting tractive
effort
Maximum admissible train gross weight depending on the starting tractive effort of the
locomotive is calculated by:
Q ≤ [(Fs /9,8 * 1000) / (rs + i)] – L

(t)
Where:
- Q is the load or gross weight of the train in tons
- Fs is the starting tractive effort in kN
- rs is the starting resistance of the train and according to Spanish norm NT – GGC -6 is
7 daN/t for slopes lower that 15 ‰ but for freight trains rs is 4 daN/t due to the
resistance due to acceleration is not considered. In this study, rs = 4 daN/t
- i is the slope or gradient.
- L is the weight of the locomotive in tons.

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Following table will compare in different gradient situation which is the maximum admissible
train gross weight that can be started with current locomotives.
Three examples of locomotives has been taken into account: an American locomotive of GE
(ES44AC), a generic European Co-Co locomotive and a generic European Bo-Bo locomotive.
Co-Co locomotives have 6 motorized axles and therefore, a higher starting tractive effort. In
Europe, these locomotives weigh between 120 and 135 t and their starting tractive effort is
around 400 KN. Bo-Bo locomotives have 4 motorized axles, in Europe weigh 80 t - 90 t and
have a starting tractive effort of 275 kN -300kN.
Loco Starting tractive Slopes Maximum

Weight effort admissible gross
weight
USA: GE ES44AC 188 t 880 kN 0‰ 22.261 t
Europe: Co-Co 125 t 400 kN 0‰ 10.079 t
Europe: Bo-Bo 85 t 300 kN 0‰ 7.568 t
USA: GE ES44AC 188 t 880 kN 4‰ 11.036,5 t
Europe: Co-Co 125 t 400 kN 4‰ 4.977 t
Europe: Bo-Bo 85 t 300kN 4‰ 3.741,5 t
USA: GE ES44AC 188 t 880 kN 12‰ 5.424 t
Europe: Co-Co 125 t 400 kN 12‰ 2.426 t
Europe: Bo-Bo 85 t 300 kN 12‰ 1.828 t
USA: GE ES44AC 188 t 880 kN 18‰ 3.894 t
Europe: Co-Co 125 t 400 kN 18‰ 1.730 t
Europe: Bo-Bo 85 t 300 kN 18‰ 1.306 t
Conclusions:
1. Higher starting tractive effort  possibility of heavier trains
2. American locomotives, with an axle-load higher than 30 t/axle, have a higher starting
tractive effort that European locomotives with an axle-load between 20 and 22,5 t/axle.
Hence, American locomotives can start heavier trains that European ones.
3. The capacity of starting heavier trains decreases with the slopes. Therefore, rail freight
lines should have the possible lowest gradients in each point. The maximum admissible
load of the train will be conditioned by the capacity of the locomotive of starting in the
inclined stretch of the rail line.
4. At least 2 Co-Co locomotives or 3 Bo-Bo locomotives are required in Europe to start the
“FERRMED trains” of 3.600 ÷ 5.000t in lines with a gradient of 12‰. The number of
locomotives per train also depends on the nominal power available to reach the
required nominal speed.
5. In some rail lines with small slopes, 1 Co-Co or 2 Bo-Bo locomotives will be enough to
start “FERRMED trains”.

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6.2.1.2 Maximum admissible train gross weight depending on the starting adhesion
During the starting, the maximum tractive effort at wheel rim without slipping is:
Fμ0 = μ0 * La
Where,
- Fμ0 is the maximum tractive effort depending of the starting adhesion
- μ0 is the starting adhesion
- La is the adherent weight of the locomotive, if all axles are motorized; the adherent
weight is the total weight of the locomotive.
The adherent weight of the locomotive is the weight that support all motorized axles and can be
increased by increasing the number of axles or the axle-load.
And the maximum train gross weight is calculated by:
Q ≤ [(Fμ0 * 1000) / (rs + i)] – L
Where:
- Q is the load or gross weight of the train
- rs is the starting resistance of the train. In this study rs = 4daN/t
- L is the weight of the locomotive
In old locomotives with an electromechanical adhesion control system, μ0 was not higher than
20% but with the current systems μ0 can achieve 33% or even 40% in some countries. See
more details on paragraph 7.2
Maximum train gross

µ0 Loco Weight Slope
weight
33% 125t 0‰ 10.188 t
26% 125t 0‰ 8.000 t
33% 85t 0‰ 6.928 t
26% 85t 0‰ 5.440 t
33% 125t 4‰ 5.031 t
26% 125t 4‰ 3.938 t

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33% 85t 4‰ 3.421 t
26% 85t 4‰ 2.678 t
33% 125t 12 ‰ 2453 t
26% 125t 12 ‰ 1.906 t
33% 85t 12 ‰ 1.668 t
26% 85t 12 ‰ 1.296 t
33% 125 t 18 ‰ 1.750 t
26% 125 t 18 ‰ 1.352 t
33% 85 t 18 ‰ 1.190 t
26% 85 t 18 ‰ 920 t
Conclusions:
1 Load of the train can be increased by increasing the adhesion coefficient or the
adherent weight of the locomotive, that is, the number of axles or the axle-load.
2 Locomotive weight is limited by the admissible axle-load that in Europe is 22,5 t/axles or
even 20t/axles in some secondary lines.
3 One Co-Co locomotive can start and haul just 2.000 t up to 2.500t in slopes of 12mm/m.
In the case of Bo-Bo locomotives this load is even lower, between 1.300 t and 1.700 t
depending on the adhesion coefficient.
4 Using 2 or more locomotives, the number of motorized axles grows and therefore also
the adherent weight. So, we will be able to transport more tons in high slopes.
5 At least 12 motorized axles are required in Europe to start the “FERRMED trains”
of 3.600 - 5.000 t in lines with a gradient of 12‰, that is, at least 2 Co-Co
locomotives or 3 Bo-Bo locomotives
6 Adhesion coefficient can be increased with new technologies (see point 7.2) but also
the norms accepted by the Infrastructure managers should be updated.
6.2.1.3 Maximum train gross weight that can be started with current locomotives
depending on the coupling type that they have.
The load hauled by the locomotive, that is, the train gross weight, can not exceed the limit effort
of the coupling resistance.
For couplings of 85 t (normal type in Europe), the maximum tractive effort is of 36 t in the
coupling, that supposes a security coefficient of 2,4.
In Europe, it is also used a reinforced coupling of 135 t, applying the same security coefficient,
the maximum tractive effort in coupling is 57 t. There are not more resistant couplings in Europe
The maximum load in the start offering by each coupling type is:
Or
Q ≤ (36 * 1000) / (rs + i) Q ≤ (57 * 1000) / (rs + i)

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Where:
- rs is the starting resistance of the train. In this study rs = 4daN/t
Coupling type Slope Maximum train gross weight
UIC coupling of 135 t 0‰ 14.294 t
UIC coupling of 135 t 12 ‰ 3.574 t
Conclusions:
1. With the current coupling used in Europe of 85 t is not possible to haul trains of 5.000t
without breaking the coupling.
2. At least, reinforced UIC coupling of 135 t should be used in locomotives and in wagons.
3. With existing European screw couplings, 3.500t are the maximum load without breaking
the coupling during the starting in a slope of 12 ‰.
4. Better option should be to change current screw couplings for automatic ones that
allow more load (same of them can duplicate the load of the reinforced screw coupling)
but also they have other advantages respect the screw couplings like: more safety,
more speed in train formations, possibility of longer trains…See point 7.3 for more
details.
6.2.2 Maximum train gross weight during running
Other limitation of the maximum train gross weight is given by:

a) Adhesion during running
b) Continuous regime
6.2.2.1 Adhesion during running

Adhesion is inversely proportional to the speed.

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There are different ways to calculate the adhesion and each administration use their own
formula:
- RENFE for example uses: μ=μo (0.2115 + 33/(V+42)
- Müller formula is common used: μ=μo / (1+0,01 V)
- Curtius-kniffer formula: μ= 1,161 + 7,5 (44+V)
During running, the maximum tractive effort at wheel rim without slipping is:
Fμ = μ * La
Where:
- Fμ is the maximum tractive effort depending of the starting adhesion
- μ is the adhesion
- La is the adherent weight of the locomotive, if all axles are motorized, the adherent
weight is the total weight of the locomotive
And the maximum train gross weight is calculated by:
Q ≤ [(F * 1.000) – (EL+L*(i+1))/ (r + i+1)]
Where:
- F is the intersection between the adhesion curve and the characteristic curve of the
locomotive
- L is the weight of the locomotive
- EL is the resistance of the locomotive
- r is the resistance of the train
The running resistance of locomotives and train can be calculated in different ways depending
on the Administration.
RENFE:
EL = 0,65*L+13*n+0,01*L*V+0,03V2 (daN)
r = 2+ V2 /1.600 (daN/t) for freight trains
r = 2+ V2 /4.000 (daN/t) for passenger trains
SNCF:
EL =1,25 + 0,01V + 0,00025 V2 (kg/t) for Co-Co locomotive
r = 1,5+ V2 /1.600 (kg/t) for diverse freight trains
r = 1,5+ V2 /4.000 (kg/t) for specialized (homogeneous) freight trains

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6.2.2.2 Continuous regime
This concept defines the maximum speed and maximum tractive effort at the maximum power
when the environmental temperature is also very high. (The probability that all these factors
coincide in the time is almost zero).
Besides, new locomotives regulate themselves reducing the speed and tractive effort if the
external conditions are unfavorable.
Actually continuous regime is not considered as limitation of train-load.

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6.3 Starting tractive effort required to haul FERRMED trains
At this point, we will make the inverse calculation. The load is given and we will calculate the
required starting tractive effort to start the train in different slopes.
As the table shows, the difference between a Co-Co and a Bo-Bo locomotive is very small. Co-
Co locomotives need few kN more than Bo-Bo locomotives because of the locomotive weight.
Load Slope Starting tractive effort Starting tractive effort

in Co-Co locomotives in Bo-Bo locomotives
(125t) (85t)
3.600 t 0‰ 146 kN 144,5 kN
3.600 t 4‰ 292 kN 289 kN
3.600 t 12 ‰ 584 kN 578 kN
3.600 t 18 ‰ 803 kN 794,5 kN
5.000 t 0‰ 201 kN 199 kN
5.000 t 4‰ 402 kN 399 kN
5.000t 12 ‰ 804 kN 797 kN
5.000t 18 ‰ 1.105 kN 1.096 kN
Conclusions:
1. To start “FERRMED trains” in slopes of 12 ‰, it is necessary starting tractive
efforts of 600 kN up to 800 kN.
2. As it has been seen before, European locomotives have starting tractive effort of 300
kN ÷ 400 KN. So, it will be required at least two locomotives to start such trains in
high slopes.
3. One locomotive will be able to start “FERRMED trains” just in cases where the slopes
are small, lower than 4 ‰.

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6.4 Power required to haul FERRMED trains at a defined speed
As it has been seen before, power does not influence the capacity of a locomotive to haul
heavier trains as the current European ones.
But power is required to run the locomotive with an expected speed. Following table will show
the required power at wheel rim to haul “FERRMED trains” with different speeds and slopes.
Train gross weight Slope Speed Power at wheel rim

40 km/h 1.178 kW
60 km/h 2.075 kW
0‰
100 km/h 5.093 kW
120 km/h 7.215 kW
40 km/h 2.800 kW
60 km/h 4.509 kW
4‰
100 km/h 9.149 kW
120 km/h 12.324 kW
3.600 t
40 km/h 6.045 kW
60 km/h 9.376 kW
12 ‰
100 km/h 17.261 kW
120 km/h 22.058 kW
40 km/h 8.479 kW
60 km/h 13.027 kW
18 ‰
100 km/h 23.346 kW
120 km/h 29.360 kW
Calculations were made with a locomotive of 6 axles and 125 t (the difference between Co-Co
and Bo-Bo Locomotives have small influence in the required power). The formulas used for the
locomotive and train resistance are:
EL = 0,65*L+13*n+0,01*L*V+0,03V2 (daN)
r = 1,5+ V2 /4.000 (kg/t)
The calculated power is the power required at wheel rim, that means, that the diesel engine or
pantograph should provide even more kW for auxiliary equipment and for energy losses in the
different locomotive components.

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Train gross weight Slope Speed Power at wheel rim
40 km/h 1.609 KW
60 km/h 2.853 KW
0‰
100 km/h 6.999 KW
120 km/h 10.246 KW
40 km/h 3.824 KW
60 km/h 6.201 KW
4‰
100 km/h 12.579 KW
120 km/h 16.943 KW
5.000 t
40 km/h 8.326 KW
60 km/h 12.898 KW
12 ‰
100 km/h 23.740 KW
120 km/h 30.336 KW
40 km/h 11.666 KW
60 km/h 17.920 KW
18 ‰
100 km/h 32.111 KW
120 km/h 40.381 KW
Conclusions:
1. Required power increases a lot with the speed and with the slopes.
2. To save energy it is necessary to have a commitment between the speed, the load and
the schedule. To run at 120 km/h in high slopes that normally are very short (1 or 2 km)
does not save time and has a high energy cost. In freight transport, normally it is not
important the pick-speed, it is more important the average speed and arrives on time to
the destination.
3. Heavy trains can achieve high speed only on flat or with a very small slope. If the slope
increases, the velocity should decrease.
4. To haul “FERRMED trains” (3.600t ÷ 5.000t) maximum speed can not be 120km/h,
maximum speed will be below 100km/h depending on the slope.
5. Between 7.000 kW and 10.000kW are required to haul “FERRMED trains” in an
acceptable speed. For cost reasons (acquisition, maintenance, operating costs), it is
better to have only one powerful locomotive but as we have seen before, to start in high
slopes such trains at least two locomotives are required, so, FERRMED proposes as
the best option to have locomotives of 3.500kW – 5.000 kW working in multiple.

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6.5 General conclusions:
1. The maximum train gross weight or load that a locomotive can haul is given as the
minimum between:
a. The load that the coupling hold without breaking,
b. The load that can be started due to the starting adhesion
c. The load that can be started due to locomotive design (starting tractive effort)
d. The load that can be hauled without sliding (adhesion during running)
2. More power does not mean more load. More powerful locomotive allows operations at
higher speed and acceleration, but there are other parameters that define if a load can be
hauled or not and if this train can start or not. These parameters are:
o Type of coupling
o Adhesion
o Adherent weight of the locomotives that depends of the number of motorized
axles and of the axle load.
3. Starting tractive effort required to start and to haul “FERRMED trains” (length of 1500m
and 3600 ÷ 5000t) in slopes of 12‰ are between 600kN and 800kN depending on the total
tons transported. That is double than current European locomotives have (300kN have Bo-
Bo locomotives, 400kN have Co-Co locomotives)  more than 1 locomotive it is required.
4. Adherent weight of the locomotives increases with the number of motorized axles of the
locomotive and with the axle-load. Under European infrastructure constrains (maximum
22,5 t/axle), 12 motorized axles are required to haul “FERRMED trains”, that means, 2 or
more locomotives working in multiple traction.
5. Therefore, although in terms of operational costs, maintenance costs… it will be more
competitive to operate “FERRMED Trains” with just a powerful locomotive; we will need at
least 2 Co-Co locomotives or 3 Bo-Bo locomotives to start such trains of 3.600 t -5.000t in
slopes of 12‰.
6. The total power required to haul “FERRMED trains” in an adequate speed will round 7.000
kW to 10.000 kW. But, it is enough that FERRMED Locomotive has between 3.500 kW and
5.000kW due to they should work in multiple traction. Anyway, more powerful locomotives
have advantages respect speed and acceleration.
7. Couplings with higher resistance as the current screw coupling are also required.
Automatic coupling is the best option in terms of safety but also to allow longer trains than
current European ones.
8. Limitations of adhesion by the Infrastructure Administrations should be also revised and
updated. Current and future locomotives can achieve better adhesion coefficients than
former ones, thanks to new technologies.
9. To save energy it is necessary a commitment between the speed, the load and the
schedule. To run at 120 km/h in high slopes that normally are very short (1 or 2 km) does
not save time and has a high energy cost.

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7 TECHNICAL PARAMETERS TO HAUL HEAVIER AND
LONGER TRAINS
7.1 Power supply

7.1.1 Electric Locomotives
7.1.1.1 Pantograph
The pantograph is the system that permits the electrical alimentation of the train by the catenary
contact wire.
It is composed of these five main elements:
• The rigid frame.
Composed of welded steel profiles. It supports the articulated system and the equilibration
system. It has three points for the fixation over the synthetic insulation foots insulators which
connect it to the roof of the train. One point permits the HV electrical connection. An eventual
spark would be collected by a spark gap settled between the train roof and the pantograph.
• The articulated system.
It is composed of:
o A lower arm, of big diameter and T form. It is articulated over the rigid frame
and transmits the torque from the equilibration system.
o A simple effect shock absorber between the lower arm and the rigid frame.
o A lower connecting rod, of inferior diameter and made of conductive material. It
is articulated over a fixed point of the rigid frame.
o A profiled upper arm, made of conductive material, and articulated over the
lower arm and the lower connecting rod.
o An anti swing shaft articulated over the upper arm.
o An anti swing rod articulated on one of its ends over the lower arm, and the
other extremity over the anti swing shaft.
The anti swing shaft and the anti swing rod keep the panhead horizontal on the entire catenary
contact area.
All the articulations use bearings without maintenance.
The pantograph extension is mechanically limited and the maximum extension can be adjusted
depending on the network configuration. The limiting device consists of a retractable hook
causing the block of extension of the pantograph. The extension shall be specified according to
the network parameters.
• The equilibration system.
It equilibrates the articulated system and assures the contact force.
The equilibration is made thanks to a pneumatic cushion which creates a torque over the
(lower) arm through a cam-traction wire system. On the one hand, it is rigidly fixed over the
frame and on the other hand, it is suspended by a traction wire.

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• The bow:
Its function consists in keeping the contact with the catenary in order to optimize the current
collection quality. It has two contact strips, made of suitable material according to TSI Directive.
A pneumatic emergency system immediately drops the pantograph if the carbon strips are
damaged. If the air pressure in this circuit decreases rapidly, the pneumatic cushion is
exhausted.
• The electro pneumatic command system:
This system keeps a constant pressure in the pneumatic cushion whatever the height of the
catenary is. It permits the regulation of the rising and lowering speed of the pantograph. The
pneumatic unit must be adjustable for all network configurations.
It is composed of:
o An electric valve, to control the rising of the pantograph.
o An air flow regulator system, to regulate the rising speed of the pantograph.
o Active Pressure control systems, to regulate the static forces and aerodynamic
forces depending on the network, the loco configuration and eventually on the
speed .
o An air flow regulator system, to regulate the lowering speed of the pantograph.
o Electronic/Electro Pneumatic pantograph control system shall be interfaced with
the on board bus communication system.
Equipment for pantograph:

- Panheads: there are different configurations currently used in Europe:

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Type A Type B Type C Type D
Norm UIC 608 UIC 608 UIC 608 UIC 608
Dimensions
Hauteur (mm) 300 300 300 340

Width (mm) 1450 1600 1600 1950
Conductive width
1070 1070 1550
(mm) 1070
Carbon impregnated of
structure
Material Carbon pure Copper-Steel Carbon pure

metal
Band
2 x (2 Cu + 2
Quantity 2 2
2 Ca)
dimensions
Lenght (mm) 670 670 570 and 750 1030

Band
Width (mm) 60 40 25 50
Height (mm) 16 16 7 25
picked up
Intensity
Run 600 A 1200 A 3200 A 600 A
Stopped 80 A 300 A 300 A 80 A

Mass (Kg)
8,7 9 2 X10 11
Where:
Type A Type C
Type B Type D

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For FERRMED locomotive application the solution shall be:
Type C – with metal impregnated carbon strips for DC catenary
Type D – for AC catenary.
The system shall operate at normal speed between 120 and 140 km/h with top speed of 160
km/h.
The current collection system shall be based on 2 pantographs for DC current (1.5 and 3 kV)
and 2 pantographs for AC current (15 and 25 kV).
Each couple of pantograph shall be controlled via electronic system which shall be adjusted to
the right configuration for service based on the driver‟s selection and automatic selection. The
setting parameter shall be at least:
- Network
- Configuration of pantograph (front or rear pantograph or double pantograph)
- Train configuration (1 or 2 loco)
- Speed
- Direction
- Pneumatic command: Biestatic for more safety, it should be use this one and not the
monostatic.
- Synthetic insulated 25 KV
- Damper
- To improve the quality of abstraction, particular in the following cases:
- Operates at high speed: V140 km/h.
- Operates with multiple pantographs raised,
A rubber end stop shall be installed between the lower arm and the frame. This damping effect
is simple, its effectiveness at intervening movements directed toward the bottom of the
articulated system.
- Limitation of development
The limiting device extension consists of a retractable hook causing discontinuation of
development of the pantograph. The race should be designed for each manufacturer.
- Auto Drop Device (ADD)

This device allows emergency automatic and quick lowering of the pantograph when carbon
strip and / or the horn are damaged. In addition, after the (accident, a signal appears if repair is
not done and pantograph cannot be raised again. ADD is based on a pneumatic valve mounted
on the frame of the pantograph and operated by the air pressure drop of the pipe included in the
carbon strip. The first part of the lowering stroke shall be fast as per EN 50206-1 chapter 4.9.
The last part of the stroke shall be speed controlled.
- Protection tube for air supply

Multi air pipe connections consist of a rigid plastic tube and conical cups mounted on the tube
itself to improve insulation.
-Air Pipe insulation

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The air feeding pipe insulation is made of plastic tube; semi-rigid conical cups shall be supplied.
7.1.1.2 Other improvements in the power supply of electric locomotives
Medium-frequency transformer
Technology field: Optimisation of traction technologies

Overall potential: very promising
Description: Transformers have high losses at low frequencies. In 16 2/3 Hz railway
systems transformer losses therefore considerably reduce overall traction efficiency.
Modern power electronics allow for a more efficient and much lighter alternative: the
medium frequency transformer operating at 400 – 800 Hz or comparable frequencies
Status of development: test series
Time horizon for broad application: in >10 years
Benefits (other than environmental): big
Barriers: medium
Impacts on energy efficiency: 2-5% (single vehicle); 1-2% (throughout fleet)
Vehicle - fix costs: medium
Infrastructure – fix costs: none
HTSC transformer
Description: An innovative transformer concept based on ceramic high-temperature
superconducting material instead of copper could considerably reduce transformer
losses.
The main transformer accounts for a substantial share of traction losses. This is
especially true in 16,7 Hz systems. An innovative transformer concept using ceramic
high-temperature superconductors instead of copper as winding material could reduce
the transformer losses almost to zero.
Possible applications of HTSC aim at
1. Optimisation of conventional equipment: motor, transformer, cable etc.
2. Development of innovative equipment: magnetic energy storage, current limiter
etc.
Status of development: prototype
Barriers: high
Vehicle - fix costs: high
Infrastructure – fix costs: low

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7.1.2 Diesel locomotives
Diesel traction is a key tool for the opening, growth and development of European rail freight
transport, an essential policy objective of the European Union and the different countries.
Half of the EU27 rail lines are not electrified and even if the big rail European corridors are
electrified most of secondary lines, which will be used as feeders or decongestion-lines for rail
freight transport, are not electrified. Besides, diesel traction is used as well in shunting
locomotives that operate at terminals and marshalling yards.
The use of diesel locomotives is much extended worldwide, especially in rail freight transport
due to their flexibility and no-necessity of catenary.
Diesel locomotives are autonomous. The power is supplied by one or more diesel engine. That
gives a great flexibility in the cross-borders operations but also in load/unload operations.
There are two types of Diesel locomotives:
o Diesel Hydraulic locomotives where the diesel engine transmitted the power to move a
hydraulic traction system.
o Diesel Electric locomotives (more extended) where the diesel engine transmitted to
power to a generator and then to the electrical traction motors that are on the axles.
The traction motors are DC or AC. AC traction is the newest technology but both have
advantages or disadvantages.
7.1.2.1 Diesel Engine

Diesel engines used in railways can achieve up to 4,5MW (the new one for China from GE and
EMD) but in Europe have normally between 2 and 3,5MW.
Diesel engines can be two or four stroke depending of the manufacturer.

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The improvements in diesel engines are focussed in reduce emissions, energy consumption
and noise. Many innovations are already proven in small diesel engines used in road vehicles.
Some of these improvements are:
Common Rail
Technology field: Optimization of traction technologies
Description: In conventional diesel engines injection pressure is generated for each
injector individually. A direct injection engine based on the common rail principle
separates the two functions pressure generation and injection by first storing the fuel
under high pressure in a central container ("common rail") and delivering it to the
individual injection valves (injectors) only on demand. This way an injection pressure of
up to 1,500 bar (in the future up to 1,600 bar) is available at all times, even at low
engine speeds. The high pressure produces a very fine atomisation of the fuel leading
to better and cleaner combustion.
Four basic components of a common rail system are:
 A high pressure pump with pressure regulator and inlet metering valve.
 A rail which contains a pressurised reserve of fuel.
 Injectors which inject precise amounts of fuel into the combustion chamber as
required.
 A diesel control unit – the „brain‟ of the system, which precisely controls injector
flow and timing as well as rail pressure while continuously monitoring the
operating conditions of the engine.
Status of development: in use
Time horizon for broad application: already exist
Barriers: low
Impacts on energy efficiency: >10% (single vehicle); 1-2% (throughout fleet)
Vehicle - fix costs: low
Database of traction consumption

Technology field: Energy measurement and documentation
Description: A database containing traction energy data can provide reliable
information needed for planning and decision making processes in railways.
Energetic optimisation of railway operation requires reliable and easily available energy
consumption data. The most convenient instrument is a database of energy
consumption figures. Such a database is fed by data obtained either through on-board
energy measurements or simulation of train runs.
A powerful database of consumption data has to take into account the dependence of
energy consumption on a variety of parameters such as:
 Train data (efficiency of traction components, train mass, aerodynamics, train
configuration etc.)

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 Train service (speed, distance between stops, timetable)
 Track data (topography, curvature etc.)
 Influence of driving style
 Influence of traffic situation (unscheduled stops etc.)
A database for energy consumption figures can be fed by data obtained by extensive
on-board measurements or through simulation.
Time horizon for broad application: now
Benefits (other than environmental): medium
Barriers: low
Impacts on energy efficiency: -
Vehicle - fix costs: none
Diesel-electric vehicles with energy storage

Technology field: Regenerative braking and energy management
Overall potential: promising
Description: Modern energy storage devices permit the storage of braking energy on-
board for use in the subsequent acceleration phase. This offers the possibility of an
effective brake energy recovery in diesel-electric vehicles. Furthermore the peak
demands on the diesel engines are reduced allowing for both downsizing of engine
layout and better load management of diesel engines.
During braking phases the kinetic energy of the
vehicle is transformed into another form of energy
(e.g. electrostatic energy in the case of a
capacitor) and stored in the storage device. When
the vehicle stands still the energy storage device
should be fully charged to be able to deliver
energy during the subsequent acceleration
phase. The power supply during acceleration is
supported by the stored energy. The energy
management system should be designed in such
a way that the external energy supply never
needs to deliver the full accelerating power
(important condition to downsize energy supply!).
When driving at maximum speed the storage
device should be completely discharged.
The best choice of an energy storage device heavily depends on the individual vehicle
and service type. The following table shows the main characteristics to be looked at in
an individual application context and the corresponding storage parameters.

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Characteristics of application Corresponding parameter of storage
context device
Braking time Charging time/power density
Braking energy Energy density
Drive cycles in lifetime Product life/reliability
Next diagram plotting energy density against power density is a convenient means to
compare different storage technologies and assess their suitability for different vehicles.
Status of development: test series

Barriers: medium
Impacts on energy efficiency: >10%
Vehicle - fix costs: high
7.1.3 Other type of locomotives
Hybrid locomotives are diesel locomotives that use batteries to reduce exhaust emissions
mainly while idle.
Dual locomotives have the possibility to take power from the catenary when is available or from
a diesel engine when the line is not electrified. So the operators have the same flexibility that a

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diesel locomotive but reducing exhaust emissions and some advantages of the electric
locomotives.
The main problems of both king of locomotive, hybrid and dual, are the higher purchasing and
maintenance costs respect diesel locomotives as well as the high weight due to the extra
equipment.
In the future can also be possible other kind of energy supply equipment applicable to the
locomotives like fuel-cell.
FERRMED does not want to limit the choice of energy supply and traction equipment. Any
traction technology that helps the profitability of the railways is welcome. Rail operators should
have opened all possibilities to use the kind of locomotive most suitable for its traffic.

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7.2 Adhesion
Adhesion is inversely proportional to the speed.
There are different ways to calculate the adhesion and each administration use their own
formula:
ADIF for example uses: μ=μo (0.2115 + 33/(V+42)
Müller formula is common used: μ=μo / (1+0,01 V)
Curtius-kniffer formula: μ= 1,161 + 7,5 (44+V)
Adhesion coefficient (μ0) means the quotient between maximum horizontal forces that can
transmits a traction axle without wheel‟s slide and mass supported by this axle. μ0 is also called
starting adhesion or static adhesion
Then, if mass supported by traction axle of a locomotive is about 20 tons, and if the adhesion
coefficient is 0,25, the axle only is able to transmit an horizontal force of 20.000x0.25 = 5.000N,
independent of engine power. Therefore, horizontal effort depends on locomotive‟s weigh and
the number of traction axles.
Adhesion coefficient is not constant. It depends on weather, wheel‟s shape, the head of rail, the
pollution and control traction system.
Some improvements in the locomotive to increase the adhesion in different conditions are:
− Optimal electric motors power managing: Parallel connection.
− Developed studies on suspensions and guided axles.
− Precise knowledge about sliding and skating starting points.
− Also, It‟s developed a complete independence per axle, which allow a precise
control of each axle and then improve the adhesion of the wheel on the track.
FERRMED´s recommendations:
With all the improvements and innovations in the today locomotives, the different national norms
should accept at least 33% adhesion coefficient (μo) and not 26% like many Infrastructure
managers accept
FERRMED locomotive should work under following conditions:
- Environmental conditions: max 50 ºC, min - 40ºC
- Adhesion Limits: according to the UIC norms and national rules.

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7.3 Coupling: Automatic freight coupler
Coupling is one of most important points at FERRMED. It connects different rolling stock in a
train. The design of the coupler is standard (to plug and unplug different wagons), and is almost
as important as the railway gauge, since flexibility and convenience are maximized if all rolling
stock can be coupled together.
Coupling has to ensure the union between the locomotive and wagons, so to be safe for many
different states that can be found during any trip. Also it‟s the connection by wire along different
wagons (in spite of FERRMED‟s project includes the possibility about communications by radio)
and has to be calculated to haul trains for 1500m as FERRMED Standards say. Another
important thing is that it has to be easy to plug and to unplug each wagon from other one so
what in these days cargo companies are spending lot of time on doing this action and
sometimes it‟s a bit unsafe because shunting personnel have to be between one wagon and
locomotive that‟s a dangerous place to be. To sum up, it‟s interesting to spend less time on it, to
do it as fast as it could be possible and safe.
For all these reasons and some more, it‟s developed a new coupling to carry these
specifications mentioned out before. Advantages in comparison to draw hook couplers with side
buffer are:
 The automated coupling / uncoupling process results in faster coupling/ transportation
processes and system velocity so less time is lost.
 Mechanical coupling as well as automatic pneumatic and automatic electric coupling at
the same time so it increases the safe up. This is needed because the length of new
train compositions.
 Centre buffer coupler with stabilizing link allows for longer trains, higher speed and
increased safety against derailments.
 Reduced wear of wheels and tracks.
 Increased life cycles and reduced maintenance costs
 Reduced operating risk (serious or deadly injuries) of shunting personnel.
 Reduced operating costs
 At the next future, wagons could be plug and unplug from the locomotive by wire without
shunting personnel so it would be much more fast and easy. At first times, it‟s working
with a lever to do this action. Shunting personnel moves it to do the action.
From now on, it‟s shown different specifications about that:
 Horizontal and vertical stabilising linkage according to UIC-leaflet 523. This makes more
difficult derailments because the wheel can never go out from the rail if always the
coupler is at the same high so what it‟s a strong union together.
 Prevent light weight 2-axle vehicles from derailing up to compressive longitudinal forces
of 700 kN.
 Limit resulting lateral forces on wheel set below app. 40 kN compared with 700 kN
compressive force
 Integrated automatic air coupling ( BP ), not exceeding the SA-3 Willison Profile space
envelope.
 Vehicle installation space acc. to UIC 530-1

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Coupler head with long term service proven and accepted low wear
Tight-locking Willison Profile, compatible with SA-3 system
 Suitable for rough conditions (heavy industry, dusty + winter conditions) and heavy
loads
 Compatible with side buffer rolling stock using UIC draw hook
 TSI certification
 Optional integrated electro-coupling for ECP Brake and Communication
 Uncoupling lever for manual uncoupling acc. to UIC
 Automatic centering device and supporting device
 Draft gear with reversible energy absorption
 Reduced weight (up to 200 kg lighter than UIC/OSShD coupler AK69e/Intermat)
 Compliant to UIC-leaflets 522, 523, 524, 530-1, 567-3, 829 RP0,2 of more than 1.000
kN (tensile load), resp. 2.000 kN (compressive load)
 Optional pneumatic air coupler with mixed air
Finally, it‟s mentioned whish are cost saving potential by using a draw bar between two vehicles
 The cost saving potential depends on the coupler design. (Some features are available
as option!)
 The estimated, average cost saving potential is about 20-25% , calculated on total cost
of marshalling manpower and average rate of derailments / recovery .
As a conclusion, it‟s shown different pictures to take some ideas about this new coupler:

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Here a draw about automatic freight coupler:

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Coupling bar

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And here the different applications available with this type of coupler:
7.3.1 Actual coupling
Automatic coupler is compatible with the actual coupling used in all European freight wagons.
That‟s really important because at transition period, both system will be used so it‟s an
important thing that all wagons could be stuck all.
7.3.2 Russian coupling
Russia has its own coupling system and must be compatible with Ferrmed‟s coupling because
exchanges are common between Europe and Russia. This is allowed with automatic coupler.
7.3.3 FERRMED coupling
Obviously, FERRMED coupling will be compatible with itself, as it was described at the
beginning of this point

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7.4 Multiple traction
General
As it was analyzed at chapter 4, FERRMED trains need two or more synchronized locomotives
for each convoy. Two of the possible configurations are, for example:
- Two locos at the head of the convoy
42 42
70 70
02 02
- One loco at the head and other/s one in the middle or at he end of the train (today unusual):
“pull and push” concept.
42 42
70 70
02 02
Nowadays, connection between locos is possible by wire when they are contiguous so it‟s
possible to drive two locomotives with just one driver. More than 2 locomotives at the head of
the train could exceed the maximum effort at the coupler.
For trains longer and heavier than the present ones, multiple distributed traction is necessary
(“pull and push” concept). That is, to have one locomotive at the head and another or others in
the middle or at the end of the train pushing the load instead of pulling it.
Today such kind of multiple distributed traction is possible with a driver in each locomotive who
communicate each other via mobile telephone or walkie-talkies.
In order to operate, instead, such kind of train with just one driver, automatic communication
between locomotives is needed. The communication system shall be safe and reliable and shall
coordinate traction and braking on all the locos.
In a train configuration with a maximum length of 1500m, we can have:
 up to 6 consists;
 one Lead locomotive;
 one or more Remote Controlled locomotives.
The solution adopted and today in operation in USA and other countries is ECP, based on a
power and communication line that connects all locomotives and wagons in the train (see “Train
Bus” in the following diagram).
In order to manage, in Europe, a period of transition between the present situation and the
“wired” trains, a radio communication system connecting the locomotives is needed.
The radio controlled operation of locomotives can also be deployed in the marshalling yards
during train formation and brake test.
To use this system safe around all Europe, it should be ensure that frequencies use are not
use at any other field like radio, TV or other systems that use any type of frequency so it should
be reserve an special range of frequency for train‟s operations.

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Radio Control Locomotive Architecture
The Radio system is composed of the following main components:
 Communication Unit - the Communication System controller consists of a power
supply unit, microprocessor, transceiver and an antennas distribution frame.
 BCU - Brake Control Unit
 TRU - Traction Control Unit

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7.5 Brake system
Definitions
 ITC Inter-Train Communication network
 DT Distributed Traction system
 E-ECP Enhance-Electronic Control Pneumatic
 Consist: A contiguous series of locomotives, which may be controlled as a unique
group. Locomotive consists can be either lead consists or remote consists. Lead
consists contain the lead locomotive and any trail locomotives that are coupled to it and
controlled via the xx connector and pipes. Remote consists contain one ITC-controlled
unit and any trail locomotives that are coupled to it and controlled via the xx connector
and pipes. Nominally, consists are separated by some number of freight cars. However,
this definition allows back-to-back multiple consists made of single locomotives.
General
This architecture is in compliance with the TSI of the trans-European conventional rail system –
Rolling Stock (IU-RST-24-11-2009-TSI draft 4.0 „Locomotive and passenger rolling stock‟ and
TSI freight …).
It also satisfies UIC requirements (a Loco rescuing another train through the UIC pneumatic
connection). There is a brake pipe which is the line to transmit the brake command trough the
train. In case of towing or towed operations the brake pipe will be controlled by the cab in towing
vehicle.
The architecture consists of following main physical modules: the driver‟s brake controller
(handle) and the Brake Command and control module that could includes air generation and
treatment unit.
The following brake architectures could be used on the train up to 1500 length:
 UIC brake system: in the basic UIC compliant system the brake demand is transmitted
as a pneumatic signal, the pressure drop value, by the brake pipe to all the cars of the
train. The Brake pipe control is managed according to EN14198. Using the brake pipe
only the length of the train is actually limited to 750m because of the physical limit in the
transmission of pneumatic brake signal.
 E-ECP brake system: the amount of braking force requested to the train, whatever is
the source (driver, automatic train control system, control and signalling system) is
transmitted to all cars and locos of the train by a wired network. This system allows to
each car to brake/release with same response time all along the train. It is possible to
reach train length of 1500 m and train composed up to 100 cars.
 Brake Radio Control: in case of train composed by not wired wagons and two or more
Radio controlled locos, this system allows distributed brake pipe pressure control. It is
possible to reach train length of 1500 m and train composed up to 100 cars.
7.5.1 UIC SYSTEM CONCEPT
The UIC brake is a traditional pneumatic automatic brake system based on UIC 540 series of
leaflets and it is composed mainly by:

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 A driver‟s brake valve: it transform the movement of brake handle into a
pressure value in a brake pipe and it is generally composed by brake handle (in
the cab) and the electro-pneumatic portion DBV installed in the brake frame.
The whole brake pipe is vented or filled by the master loco driver‟s brake valve
(single point) and this limits the length of the train to max 750 m.
 A brake pipe that transmit brake demand along the train as reduction of
pressure ( automatic brake)
 An UIC homologated distributor: according to the drop of the pressure in the
brake pipe it give a command signal to the relay valve that fill brake cylinder.
One distributor per loco is permitted provide that the length of loco is according
to the UIC rules and that a direct brake is installed.
The following blocks schemes show the UIC traditional brake architecture for the loco:

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UIC brake system architecture

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7.5.2 E-ECP SYSTEM CONCEPT
The E-ECP brake system is an Electronically Controlled Pneumatic direct type brake system.
It brakes and release the brake actuator filling and venting them in a directly way; when E-ECP
system brake is in service the brake pipe is maintained at nominal pressure ( 5,0 bar) and brake
and release operations are made by E-ECP system. The brake pipe it will vented in case of
emergency brake or others emergency cases.
It is mainly composed by:
 A driver‟s brake valve: it transform the movement of brake handle into a electronic
signal that is sent to each car by E-ECP lines. The pressure value in a brake pipe is
managed only in emergency braking or when the E-ECP system is out of order. The E-
ECP electronics and the electro-pneumatic portion DBV is installed in the brake frame.
The length of the train t can be 1500 m because the brake and release operates at the
same time on all the wagons.
 An electronically controlled pneumatic brake system is a train power braking system
actuated by compressed air and controlled by electronic signals originated at the
locomotive for service and emergency applications.
 A brake pipe that transmit brake demand along the train as reduction of pressure
(automatic brake) for emergency cases. The brake pipe is used to provide a constant
supply of air to the reservoirs.
 An UIC homologated distributor (or simplified): according to the drop of the pressure in
the brake pipe it give a command signal to the relay valve that fill brake cylinder. It will
operate in emergency cases. One distributor per loco is permitted provide that the
length of loco is according to the UIC rules and that a direct brake is installed.
The E-ECP brake system , based on the Intra-Train Communication (ITC) network, provides
power and communications to all E-ECP system brake devices in the train via a wired
communication media that spans the entire length of the train.
The system provides almost instantaneous response to braking commands, including graduated
brake releases and applications. The system responds appropriately to undesired separation or
malfunction of hoses, cabling, or brake pipe.
The Enhanced Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (E-ECP) brake system is a train power
braking system with better communication performance that should be used to improve the
robustness and diagnostic capability of the train brake system and to add more train monitoring
service (e.g. wagon coupling, door and load detection, ecc. ).
The system provides the following levels of configurable functions:
 Lead:- the E-ECP central device at the locomotive is designated as “Master” by the
driver
 Trail: the central device, when powered up, shall switch in trail mode. When in trail
mode, it shall apply the appropriate E/P train braking
 Eot: the E-ECP equipment on the last locomotive in the train, if it is also the last vehicle
in the train, may perform also the functions of the EOT ( train integrity )
ECP Functions
The E_ECP control device is the core of the E/P brake system mounted within the locomotive

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The E/P brake system mounted on the lead locomotive shall provide the following primary
functions:
 Graduated brake applications and releases
 Continuous reservoir charging
 Continuous fault detection and equipment status monitoring
 Pneumatic Emergency brake
 Pneumatic Service brake back-up
 Monitor the end-of-train ( EOT ) device: train integrity function
 Provide a control signal to turn off train line power whenever communications with the
EOT is interrupted or discontinued
 Provide a control signal to command a momentary train line power application to restart
all wagon CCD and EOT devices that are shut down
 Provide mechanisms to conduct ECP brake system diagnostic tests
 Interface with locomotive system signals that interact with the train braking system
 Provide an interface to other locomotive system(s) with the intent of being able to
provide appropriate locomotive retardation in conjunction with ECP train braking.
The following blocks scheme shown the E-ECP brake architecture for the loco

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E- ECP architecture

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Brake Command and control Module
In normal operation, the following functional requirements apply to the Brake Command and
control Module (BCCM):
1. To transform signals from the brake controller and/or other onboard control systems (e.g.
ATC system) to generate a brake pipe pressure to be transmitted along the train (pneumatic
portion of Brake pipe control unit); the control is in accordance to UIC 541-03
2. To transform signals from the brake controller and/or other onboard control systems (e.g.
ATC system) to ECP braking system in accordance to AAR S-4200.
3. To interface to the loco control system e.g. for diagnosis.
4. The BCCM shall have an isolation device monitored (e.g. cock with electrical switch) able
to be operated from remote control.
5. To transform signals from the train wide brake pipe to a corresponding brake cylinders
pressure, taking optionally into account the loco speed.
6. To fill the brake cylinders, in case of venting of the brake pipe, with the corresponding
pressure, taking optionally into account the loco speed.
7. To transform signals from the train wide ECP brake system to a corresponding
discharging or filling train brake pipe.
8. To maintain the communication with the local traction control systems (according to the
blending architecture).
9. To generate air compressed air by an Air Generation and Treatment Unit (AGTU)
10. To command and control parking brake
The brake cylinder pressure control shall be realised according to EN15355, however the brake
cylinder pressure should not be limited to 3.8 bar. The brake control including the blending
system should respect adhesion limits in accordance with the prEN15734-1.
The relay and load control function shall be realised in accordance with the EN15611.
ITC System specification

The heart of the E-ECP braking is the ITC network bus. It is used to convey power along the
train and to command and control the various units in the network.
The ITC system should be designed in order to allows that the train traction control system
working on multiple locomotives should be integrated with the E-ECP brake system within ITC
network.
ITC specification is intended to ensure that functionality and performance are uniform and
consistent among different manufacturers and that functionality and performance are
interoperable.
Trainline network
Communication system shall be designed for a minimum of 100 network units spanning over
1500m
The wired bus shall be based on a redundant communication channel network: the ITC network
is based on 2 bus channel, both working as a power line transmission media.
Communication Transceiver

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The transceiver shall have an effective normal boud-rate of 30100kbps in FFC band ( 10khz
to 450khz ).
The transceiver coupling circuit shall provide transformer isolation from the train line
communication media and be optimized to a 50ohm transmission line.
ITC Communication Protocol
To promote the highest reasonable level of interoperability, all nodes using the electric train line
communication media must fully implement the ANSI/EIA 709.1 protocol
ITC System Protocol
To promote the highest reasonable level of interoperability, all nodes using the electric train line
communication media must fully implement the application messages described by the AAR-
S4230 Standard.
ITC train line power supply
The ITC system power supply is a DC supply operating at nominally 230 Vdc to provide
electrical power, via the train line, to all connected ECP wagon and EOT devices.
The power supply is mounted within a locomotive and is controlled by a power supply controller
(PSC), which is a network device.
One single power supply shall be capable of supplying power to an ITC equipped train
consisting of a minimum of 100 ECP wagons and an EOT.
Reference norm
 AAR S-4210 standard
ITC Locomotive Devices

ITC MMI
• Provide a man/machine interface to operate the ECP brake
• Provide a data display to the engineer
• Provide controls that allow the engineer to make brake and distributed power commands
ITC LCM
The LCM shall be capable of the following functions:
• Interface with the ITC communication network.
• Interface with the locomotive‟s propulsion, air brake, and auxiliary control systems for both
control and feedback of the locomotive‟s control settings.
• Report MU controlled unit alarms to the lead locomotive.
• Interface with the locomotive propulsion control system for throttle and dynamic brake control.
• Interface with the E-ECP brake system for coordinated action during penalty and emergency
brake applications.
• Interface with the locomotive automatic air brake system for coordinated action during penalty
and emergency brake applications, and control the cut-in and cut-out of locomotive automatic
brake.
• Interface with a man-machine interface (MMI) to allow the operator to control and/or monitor all
necessary parameters of all locomotives under the operator‟s control

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ITC PSC
The power supply controller (PSC) shall interface with the train line communication network and
control a train line power supply as commanded by the LCM.
Multiple power supply devices may be enabled by the lead LCM.
Air generation and treatment unit (AGTU)

General
The AGTU shall be oil-free and is composed of the following main components:
 Compressor
 Air treatment unit
 Frame
The AGTU described herein could include any power conversion (e.g. DC/AC AC/AC static
converters fixed or variable freq.).
The AGTU is provided with a safety valve (placed between compressor and air treatment unit)
to protect the treatment unit against overpressures.
This document takes into account AGTU‟s installed inside the machine room or below carbody.
Performance
FEATURES VALUE UNIT NOTES
Reference: 60 Hz.
AGU free air delivery at 9 bar According to
ModTrain/ModPower &
Value indicates AGTU class; deviations 2300 to 3000 l/min ModBrake
are possible depending on supplier Nominal value tolerance

specific hardware measured according to
ModBrake (TecRec tbd).
Max air delivery pressure 10 bar
According to ModBrake
Air quality after air treatment unit Class 2-2-2
( TecRec tbd)
Referred to AGU free air

Maximum losses for air treatment <= 20%
delivery

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Bogie Brake Equipment
General
The bogie configuration defined by design and confirmed by brake and thermal calculations
could be:
2 wheel-mounted brake disks each axle.
2 axle mounted brake disks each axle.
Tread brake blocks on the wheel for tread cleaning and conditioning (optional ) and
related actuator
The freight locomotive reference characteristics are:
 Axle load: 22.5 tons
 Rotating mass: 10 %
 Wheel diameter: 1250 mm
 Brake modes: G-P-R
 Deceleration:
o 0.8 m/s² (P-mode)
o 1.1 m/s² (R-mode)
 Maximum speed: 120 kph
 Thermal requirements: Tauern, Gotthard lines purely pneumatic
Interfaces
Mechanical Interfaces
Specification for wheel-mounted-disc
Wheel mounted disc:
 Fixation strength 100 g vertical shock
 Elastic fixation to the wheel web, to allow movements due to dynamic thermal
expansion and coning
 Material: Nodular cast iron or steel
The weight of the equipment shall not exceed : 195 kg per disk.
Maximum dimensions of the module are: OD Ø1085 mm.
Specification for axle-mounted-disc
Axle mounted disc:
 70 g vertical shock
 Radial guiding device, due to radial extension under thermal load
 Material: Grey cast iron or steel
The weight of the equipment shall not exceed : 125 kg. per disk.
Maximum dimensions of the module are: OD Ø640 x 110 mm.

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Specification for related actuator
Compact Caliper with internal hanging links
  cylinder 8“/9“
 Customized bracket
 Max Cylinder pressure: 3.8 bar - service
 Min Resetting pressure: 4.5 bar - parking brake, full release
The weight of the equipment shall not exceed: 84 kg/ 92 kg (without/with parking brake)
Maximum dimensions of the module are: 390x350 mm / 475x350 (without/with parking brake)
40
5
30 30
0 0
20
28 0
0
35
33 0
0 135m
110mm
Disc m
Maintainability requirements: Disc
Disassembly of the actuator as a single part from the installed caliper
Disassembly of the complete calliper with 4 bolts
Installation requirements:
Isolation of rigid body vibrations between bogie structure and caliper
Caliper equipped with UIC pad holder.
Relation with FERRMED Wagon Concept

There is today compact integrated bogie brake equipment available and used on freight bogies.
It allows weight saving of about 1 ton without modifications of the bogie.

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However, the integrated bogie brake solution also allows a more weight-optimal design of the
bogie-frame. Since the brakes work on one side of the each wheel only (on the sides towards
the bogie center), front beams are not any longer necessary to support the brake equipment.
A new bogie Y25Lsi-C without front beams (see figures ) has been developed. If the bogie is
adapted optimally to the new brakes total weight savings per wagon of more than 1.5 ton are
possible (see table ) .
Other advantages of the integrated bogie brake include:
- Low noise emissions due to small number of bearings with low clearance and vibration-
damped suspension
- Modularized and standardized design with variable internal ratio
- Full automatic compensation of block and wheel wear
- Largely maintenance free also under severe environmental conditions
- High and constant efficiency, low hysteresis
- Less air-consumption, up to -60%
Due to the better brake performance, lower weight and cost savings the integrated bogie brake
solution is foreseen as standard for the LMPW – and HCW-wagons of the FERRMED Wagon
Concept. For the TOFW-wagon it remains to be investigated whether the solution can be built
into the bogie with the smaller wheel diameter, as it is necessary for this wagon design.
Picture of Y25 bogie with integrated bogie brake type BFCB:

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8 CHARACTERISTICS TO ENSURE THE COMFORT, SAFETY
AND SECURITY TO THE DRIVER.
“FERRMED Locomotive” should also ensure the comfort, safety and security of the driver. Next
it is described not only how should be the design of the driver‟s cab but also the devices that
facilitate the driving.
8.1 Driver´s cab

Normally in Europe there are two cabs (each one at each end) for mainline locomotives due to
higher visibility.
The driver‟s cab and desk should be designed including the latest state-of-the-art too.
As it has been seen before, the direction of running is not the same in all European countries.
Future interoperable locomotives should have a central desk adequate to all countries.
Rail industry has worked together in the last years to develop the standards of such European
desk. The project, called EUDD (European Driver‟s Desk) in the first phase and EUDDplus in
th
the second one, was coordinated by UNIFE and co-financed by the EC 6 Framework Program.
The project EUDD (European Driver's Desk ) plus aims at the development, in-field testing and
validation of the interoperable, harmonised and modularised train driver‟s desk. It‟s useful to
unify all European driver„s desk in one. It will improve the interoperability of the rail system in
Europe.
Which are they objectives?
- To achieve a reduction of the Life Cycle Costs (LCC) of the system driver's desk of
at least 15 % compared to the reference case.
- To justify the ergonomic advantages of the EUDD desk layout during in-field
operation under day-to-day conditions.
- The shift of functions from the hardware to the software with enhanced flexibility,
improved ergonomics and reduced costs  target: reduction of hardware controls
by 30 % without any loss of operational performance.
- To facilitate the future series homologation procedure of the EUDDplus desk layout
for all European networks.

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Advantages:
• Improved man-machine-interfaces (MMI) by applying latest knowledge in
ergonomics/human factors,
• Improved passive safety because EUDD tries to make easy going when an emergency
is happening.
• reduced number of hardware elements by shifting HW functions to SW functions
• harmonisation of the important operations
Interface Human Machine:

• In the standard position of locomotive is installed in the center of the cabin.
• The driver's seat and the control desk are arranged according to ergonomic principles
to simplify tasks of driving and reducing driver fatigue.
Design of the table control:

• The following items are located on the desktop:
− On the left:
• An emergency push button.
• The automatic / back up brake handle with an emergency request on
extreme brake position.
• Direct brake handle.
− In the middle:
• Two push buttons for the driver’s vigilance system.
• Various switch for locomotive control (pantograph, VCB, lights , ..).
− On the right:
• The traction brake master controller which allows the driver to request a
traction effort or electric braking.
− On the five panels around table, they are:
• Module for braking and pneumatic equipment control.
• Main driving display unit (pressure of the main pipe, brake pope and
braking cylinder, overhead line voltage, traction/braking effort).
• Module for speed indicator and signaling equipments.
• Display for information about the state of the locomotives and the
diagnostic system.
• Module for the radio system.

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Here under some pictures of a prototype of a Locomotive PRIMA II in testing in Widenrath. This
locomotive has incorporated the EUDD project.
The driver‟s cab should also ensure the comfort and safety of the driver.

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8.1.1 Safety
All locomotives must pass crash test and their respective safety rules to have a protection on
train driver or other trains. Following issues should be taken into account:
- “Anti-collision protection”: Shock energy absorbing systems through sleepers fuses
and caps deformable according to the TSI CR CRASH and EN15227.
- Crashworthiness requirements for railway vehicle bodies,
- EN12663 “structural requirements of railway vehicle bodies”,
- UIC 651 “Layout of driver‟s cab in locos”
- Advanced fire systems.
- Greater visibility.
- Safety glass protects against impacts
- DIN5566 standards.
- UIC612 “Driver machine interfaces for locomotives and driving coaches”
8.1.2 Comfort
Drivers spend a lot of hours in the locomotive and therefore they ask for a comfortable working
place with all needs covered:
o air-condition and heating,
o power outlet to heat water or coffee,
o refrigerator …
The cab should be also isolated to avoid noise and vibration inside it.
Ergonomic studies should be made when designing the desk to ensure that front the seating
place the driver can easy see outside but also inside all information displays, he can easy
operate all the control and he can stay all the time in his place in a comfortable way.
Summarizing the design of the cab:

o 2 cabs per locomotive

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o Integrated European desk (central position)
o Fulfillment all European standards referred to safety: Crashworthiness, Fire, and
Visibility…
o Ergonomic design of cab and desk for the comfort of the driver.
o Isolation of the cabin to reduce noise and vibration inside.
o Air conditioning, heating, refrigerator and plug for use of driver.
8.2 Driving Advice Systems and other help devices

8.2.1 DAS
Driving advice systems are on-board tools giving recommendations to drivers for a more energy
efficient driving style.
The driving pattern has a considerable influence on the energy consumed by a train on a given
trip. For given restrictions (timetable, stops, speed restrictions on the way and installed traction
power) a shortest time driving strategy can be determined, which is basically given by:
 Full acceleration up to maximum speed given either by speed limit or by maximum
traction power
 Speed holding at maximum speed until train has to start braking
 Braking at the latest possible point in order to come to a stop when reaching the station
Current driving advice systems (DAS) calculate (and continuously update) the optimum driving
strategy much more exactly than any driver could do. They are based on train positioning (GPS,
Galileo or other), train, track and timetable data as well as algorithms to calculate driving
recommendations.
Components of a DAS
A DAS requires essentially the following on-board components:
 Storage medium storing all the relevant data for an individual trip (infrastructure data,
vehicle data, time table)
 Information system monitoring driving time and train position
 Computer unit using the above data to determine driving strategies and display them to
the driver
Data supply
A DAS requires different classes of data to be updated in different time intervals:
 Permanent data: Vehicle data
 Long-term data: Track data base (to be updated annually)
 Mid-term data: Time table
 Short-term data: Data on temporary low-speed sections (to be updated daily or even in
real-time), future options may include actual weather and track conditions as well.

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All data are stored on-board on a flash disk. They are automatically updated via a W-LAN at
several stations.
All of these systems are for:
- Optimizing the energy consumption
- Reducing the wear and tear on wheels
- Reducing tiredness of the driver.
There are also other devices that can facilitate the work of the drivers:
o Control and diagnosis systems that help in the maintenance but also warn the driver
when there are problems.
These systems record and process the data given by the sensors that are in the main
equipment of the locomotives. The data can be used later by the maintenance
workshop but also by the driver during driving. Before the problem appears, the driver is
warned and can take in advance the required measurements.
o GPS device to know the exact location of the locomotive if should be rescued.
o Communication system: The driver should also have the possibility to communicate
with the control center in any point of the route via telephone or via radio.
8.2.2 Automatic train control

Technology field: Energy efficient driving
Overall potential: not in freight locomotives
Description: State-of-the-art information and communication technologies allow for an
automated driverless operation of insular mass transit systems. In long-term such options exist
for railway operation in general. Energy efficiency effects can be achieved through general
optimization of driving style and traffic flows.
Different degrees of automation can be discerned:
1. semi-automation with reduced driver control.
2. fully automated control as the sole operating system for driverless vehicles on
autonomous, separate tracks.
3. fully automated driverless trains sharing a “mixed” infrastructure with driver-
operated vehicles.
4. fully automated control as the sole operating system.
Driverless systems in freight operation are addressed in the context of self-propelled freight
cars.
Time horizon for broad application: in > 10 years
Barriers: high
Impacts on energy efficiency: strongly dependent on specific application.
Vehicle - fix costs: medium

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Infrastructure – fix costs: high
Infrastructure – fix costs: medium
8.2.3 Driving advice system in freight operation

Technology field: Energy efficient driving
Description: Most freight trains do not have to obey strict time schedules but rather stay within
certain time windows. On the one hand, this leaves more room for the energetic optimisation of
the driving pattern. On the other hand, in mixed infrastructures passenger trains usually have
priority over freight trains what leads to frequent unscheduled stops for freight trains. These
unexpected stops impede the operation of a DAS. Railways with low traffic density and/or
homogeneous freight operation therefore offer the greatest potential for freight DAS. This is the
case in countries like the US or Australia, but also on individual lines in Europe. In cases where
freight operation has a high density and or shares the infrastructure with passenger trains, DAS
can only operate in an effective way, if the system takes into account the traffic situation. This
requires a radio (or other) link to the control centre level with following data:
 Permanent data: Vehicle data .
 Long-term data: Track data base (to be updated annually)
 Mid-term data: Time table .
 Short-term data: Data on temporary low-speed sections (to be updated daily or even in
real-time). This includes train configuration and vehicle mass which vary permanently in
freight operation..
Status of development: research and experiments.
Time horizon for broad application: 5-10 years
Barriers: high
Impacts on energy efficiency: 2-5% (single vehicle) 1-2% (throughout fleet)
8.2.4 LCC-driven procurement

Technology field: Management and organisation
Description: Besides product quality, cost is obviously a major factor in procurement decisions.
The approach of life-cycle costing (LCC) considers the expenses of the customer along the
entire life-cycle of the product. This includes capital costs (depreciation interest) and operation
costs (energy, maintenance etc.). There is no canonical and standardized LCC concept for rail
vehicles. Some LCC calculations include costs for operation personnel, costs of downtimes,
costs for disposal, others don't.

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The following table gives an idea of the relevance of energy costs in LCC (Costs for personnel
are excluded, since some of the sources specified them while others didn't).
Locomotive for freight

service
Investment 11,70%
Energy 73,80%
Maintenance 14,40%
LCC is difficult to handle and cannot be given in a general and straightforward manner. The
reason is its strong dependence on operational conditions, which vary between operators and
may not be predictable for the future.
Barriers: big
Impacts on energy efficiency: -
Vehicle - fix costs:-
8.2.5 Switch-off of traction group

Description: Most rail vehicles have several driven axles with separate power transmission.
This includes both locomotives usually having a separate power train for each bogie and
multiple units having several driven axles along the train. It is often feasible to shut off some of
these driven bogies during partial load and operate the remaining ones at high load. Due to the
fact that energy efficiency is usually lower for partial load than for maximum load, such a
measure increases overall energy efficiency. This measure requires a change of the on-board
software only, since individual motor bogies always have a switch-off option for the case of
failure.
Benefits (other than environmental): none
Barriers: Impacts on energy efficiency: medium

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9 ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
On the one hand, the environment and sustainability have become priorities in Governments´
agendas, companies and people. Increasingly, the focus is placed more and more on energy
prices (fuel and electricity) and lower energy consumption is taken into account to improve the
competitiveness of the companies.
On the other hand, it is expected that individual mobility, the daily commute to and from work or
traveling on holiday, and the global flows of goods will grow in the future. The higher level of
mobility is bound to bring a greater need for energy with it due to transport is one of the sectors
that more energy consumes.
The intensity of this impact depends on the transport mode.
Railway is the most sustainable, environmentally and economically speaking, mode of transport
for both, passenger and freight.
Technology is continuously developing and locomotives are a product with very long life, about
30 years. Locomotives should be designed with a modular concept to facilitate the retrofitting
anytime is required.
Technologies to improve energy efficiency of the rail vehicles or to reduce environmental impact
are appearing faster in the scene today that they ever did in the past. Some of them are
replaced rapidly by new ones, some are still very expensive to put in operation or need an
intensive maintenance and some have not yet been fully investigated. Many new developments,
related to energy and environment, are expected to appear in following years.
9.1 Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency for railways means to reduce the energy consumption and, by this way, to
reduce the energy costs and the emissions of pollutants and CO 2 whilst further growth of rail
traffic.
Even though rail is more energy efficient than most other transport modes, the enhancement of
energy efficiency is an important issue for Railways to reduce their contributions to climate
change further as well as to save and enlarge competition advantages involved.
One key means of improving energy efficiency is to deploy advanced technologies. Therefore,
the International Union of Railways (UIC) funded a project where all relevant railway energy
saving technologies have been analysed, categorised and evaluated.
Low energy consumption is one of the most required demands of the operators to increase their
competitiveness but also it is a priority of Governments and civil society.
Energy prices have experienced a big increase in the last years. Not only oil prices, electricity
prices also. The trend is that these prices continue increasing in the future although 2008 was
an unusual year with a big increase in the 1st. half 2008 follow by a suddenly drop in the 2nd.
half of the year.
Following tables of Eurostat show Producer Price Index (PPI) and Harmonised Index of
Consumer Prices (HICP) of Electricity, Gas and Liquid fuels for EU-27 taken 2005 as basis
year.

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In the rail sector, energy efficiency should be achieved by different fronts:
• Train operations management
• Innovations in the infrastructure side
• Innovations in rolling stock
9.1.1 Energy saving in train operations:
Energy can be saved during the planning of the operations taking into to account following
parameters:
- Optimizing fleet and operational performance,
- Optimizing routes,
- Optimizing traffic flows,

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- Optimizing mode of operation and train configuration defining maximum load by train in a
determined route to get the best ratio payload/ energy consumption, that is the maximum
possible payload with the lowest energy cost but avoiding delays.
- Selecting the appropriate technology to provide peak performance with the lowest
operational costs
But also, energy can be saved during operations driving in an efficient and fuel-saving manner
and reducing idling time.
Measurements of energy consumption made during several trips along the same line have
shown that driving style constitutes a decisive factor that also affects the wear and tear on
various mechanical components.
9.1.2 Innovations in the rolling stock

Most of manufacturers are developing driver assistance systems (DAS) and in the near future
all locomotives will have incorporated such systems. These computer-based systems help the
driver to run the locomotive with the optimum use of energy. The system processes various
items of input data (weather, gradient, locomotive performance, train weight, train length, track
conditions…) to recommend an optimum speed or tractive effort to the driver at each moment
giving priority to arrive on schedule to the destination. Minimize also braking by automatically
learning a train‟s characteristics.
With the incorporation of ETCS and GSM/GPRS on the locomotives the inputs to recommend
the optimum speed can be change dynamically. So, trough a GSM/GPRS link it will be also
possible dynamic adjustments to the timetable or ETCS will allow a dynamic update of the track
status information provided on real-time by the train protection system.
Driver assistance systems (DAS) bring down the energy consumption but also reduce the wear
and tear on wheels and brakes making rail operations more ecological and efficient.
Idle reduction of diesel Locomotives has a big potential to save energy. Diesel locomotives idle
to protect the engine in cold weather, to keep engine warms to ensure its start (antifreeze is
generally not used), to maintain batteries charged, to keep the comfort of the cab (heating), to
maintain air pressure for braking but also due to ingrained operating habits or perceived futility
of shutdowns of diesel engines.
Many fuel liters are consumed during idle to maintain the engine warm with temperatures under
0º. But fuel consumption is not the only problem created by idle, also exhaust emissions, noise,
engine wear and higher maintenance costs. These problems are more severe in terminals and
marshalling yards where locomotives are more time idle.
Future diesel locomotives will incorporate devices and innovations to reduce idling time and so
to reduce fuel consumption. Some of them can be found in the market today. These systems
allows idling locomotives to be shutdown by heating and circulating the coolant and oil keeping
the engine warm, charging batteries, powering cab heaters. The use of one or other device
depends on the service that the locomotive makes. All of them reduce fuel consumption,
emissions and noise and can be applied in each locomotive.
- Automatic engine start-stop control (AESS): Microprocessor technology that
automatically shuts down the main engine when a locomotive is not working. Lubricant
and cooling fluid temperatures are continually monitored and the main engine is
restarted if temperatures fall below a set threshold.
- Locomotive Auxiliary Power Unit (APU): System allows idling locomotive to be
shutdown by heating and circulating the coolant and oil, charging batteries, powering
cab heaters.

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- Locomotive Diesel Driven Heating System (DDHS): same uses than APU. Variable
engine speed generates optimum waste heat that heats water and oil.
- Shore Power Plug-in System: System allows idling locomotive to be shutdown by
using shore power to heat and circulate coolant and oil, optional battery charger.
Locomotive must be near an external power source to shut it down.
- Hybrid locomotives with batteries that power traction motors and do not
idle.
There are other on-board components specifically designed to reduce energy consumption:
- Latent-heat storage device: the purpose of it is to storage heat of the diesel engine‟s
cooling water to use it to warm the diesel engine to its starting temperature (40º)
.Thanks this device the use of the common pre-heating device (fuel-powered) is limited
to some exceptional situations and so, fuel is saved. This storage heat would be
otherwise dissipated to the environment trough the cooling tower.
- Consumption measure systems: the systems give drivers real information on the fuel
or electricity they are consuming and their comparison with benchmark targets in this
route. Drivers have a real-time feedback about their driving style. Rail operators can
control their energy consumption and can take measurements to improve it by training
the drivers.
- Variable Speed Blower adjusts traction motor blower speed to meet cooling
requirements when a locomotive is in idle. The Variable Speed Blower offers fuel
savings during idle by varying blower speed from fully off to fully on.
- Recovery brake energy: this technology is used already in light rail vehicles and it will
be also possible for locomotives in a near future. The purpose is to store the energy
releases by braking, instead of dissipating it on resistances, to reuse it during
accelerating or for powering
- auxiliaries. This energy is storage by batteries, ultracapacitors or other devices. Electric
locomotives have the possibility to return this energy to the catenary if the network
allows it (at the moment is not possible).
Of course, energy can be also saved improving performance of the traction system and of
the auxiliary equipment to reduce energy losses.
For electrical locomotives some improvements to increase the performance are:
- use of superconductors
- use of slippery materials in the contact between pantograph and catenary
Diesel engines are incorporating many innovations that make them more efficient and reduce
also the exhaust emissions:
- improved injection and charging technology
- more efficient turbocharger
- optimised air cooling,
- EGR

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Locomotive design is also a key point to reduce energy consumption. That includes different
aspects of the locomotive:
- External shape to improve the aerodynamic and reduce the running resistance. Today
it is an issue in passenger trains with potential energy saving of around 10%. It starts
also to be incorporated in locomotive aerodynamic designs like CAD, CAE and CFC
programs, tunnel winds…The purpose is to reduce tractive effort lost during driving due
to aerodynamic pressure drag and friction.
- Weight Reduction: It can improve energy consumption but FERRMED trains required
a big adhesion of the locomotive and that is achieved with more weight.
- Reduction in friction of all rotating elements of the locomotives and trains is another
way to reduce consumption but also the wear and tear of the components.
Many new developments, related to energy and environment, are expected to appear in
following years. Locomotives have a long life, around 30 years, so, locomotives should be able
to incorporate these innovations simply and at a low cost. A good solution is the modularity of
the design that allows the exchange.
9.2 Exhaust emissions

Diesel traction is a key tool for the opening, growth and development of European rail freight
transport, an essential policy objective of the European Union and the different countries. But
although diesel locomotives emit 3 times less exhaust emission per transported ton than the
road, exhaust emissions and the pollution and global warming that they produce are still the
main objection to diesel traction.
Even exhaust emissions have drastically decreased in past, they will decrease even more in
following years thanks innovations and thanks the new emissions regulations from USA (EPA)
and Europe that coming into force in 2016 and 2012 respectively.
Following tables show the emissions limits imposed by EU through the Non Road Mobile
Machinery (NRMM) Directive 2004/26/EC with its two stages:
o Stage IIIA mandatory in 2009
o Stage IIIB mandatory in 2012.

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The reduction of NOx and Particulate matters in Europe in the past and in the future is shown in
following tables.

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It is easy to see the big effort that the sector is making to reduce the pollution. It is
indispensable a cooperation between engine manufacturers and locomotive manufacturers to
achieve so low emission levels. Stage IIIB is similar to EUROV normative of the road.
According to the Rail Diesel Study of UIC, to fulfill Stage IIIA, it is just necessary:
- Lower sulfur fuel
- Internal engine design improvements:
o EGR (exhaust gas recirculation): it works by recirculating a portion of an
engine's exhaust gas back to the engine cylinders. It is a technique used to
reduce NOx.
o Controlled combustion in-cylinder (temperature, pressure drop, time, fuel
quantity…)
o Improve injection and charging technology
o Optimize air cooling …
But, to fulfill Stage IIIB, it is also necessary to have exhaust after-treatment systems. The
most efficient ones are:
- Diesel Particle Filters (DPF): DPF is a device designed to remove diesel particulate
matter or soot from the exhaust gas of a diesel engine. Wall-flow diesel particulate
filters usually remove 85% or more of the soot, and can at times (heavily loaded
condition) attain soot removal efficiencies of close to 100%.
In addition to collecting the particulate, a method must exist to clean the filter. Some
filters are single-use (disposable), while others are designed to burn off the
accumulated particulate, either through the use of a catalyst (passive), or through an
active technology, such as a fuel burner which heats the filter to soot combustion
temperatures, through engine modifications (the engine is set to run a certain specific
way when the filter load reaches a pre-determined level, either to heat the exhaust
gases, or to produce high amounts of NO2, which will oxidize the particulates at
relatively low temperatures), or through other methods. This is known as "filter
regeneration". Sulphur in the fuel interferes with many "regeneration" strategies, so
almost all jurisdictions that are interested in the reduction of particulate emissions, are
also passing regulations governing fuel sulfur levels
- Diesel oxidation Catalyst (DOC): DOC reduces HC, transform CO into CO2 and also
decrease the mass of diesel particulate emissions (but not their number) by oxidizing

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some of the hydrocarbons that are adsorbed onto the carbon particles. It is used in
combination with DPF, for their passive regeneration. DOC converts NO in NO2 that is
used to oxidize the particulates of the filter.
- Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR): it injects a small amount of Diesel Exhaust Fluid
(DEF) – a water-based solution of urea – into the exhaust. Mixing DEF with exhaust in
the presence of a catalyst turns NOx into harmless nitrogen and water vapor.
This is a highly effective way to reduce harmful emissions to the extremely low
standards set by EPA and European Commission. The reduction of NOX can achieve
up to 85%-90%.Best of all, it allows the engine to be restored to more efficient state of
operation for better fuel economy.
But, in the design of the locomotive it should be taken into account that the locomotive
has to carry a urea tank, a catalizator and an injector to the exhaust.
The consumption of energy is the same with or without SCR but it should be considered
that the locomotive will also consume urea (around 3%-5% of fuel).
Main problem is the required infrastructure to fill up the locomotives with urea. It is a
cost that Administration Managers should assume in a short-medium time.
- …
Other area where in the future many innovations are expected is the combustibles:
- diesel fuel with lower sulphur,
- new generation of biodiesel
- new alternatives like H2
Last but not least, diesel traction can be complemented with batteries (hybrid locomotives) or
electrical traction (dual locomotives) to maintain the advantages of the diesel traction reducing
the total quantity of exhaust emissions. The main problems of this kind of locomotives are their
high weight due to the new equipment, the higher price (acquisition cost) of the locomotive and
the higher maintenance costs compare with the traditional diesel ones.
All the innovations and operational measurements described in point 9.1 Energy Efficiency will
help also to the reduction of the exhaust emissions.
Summarizing, diesel locomotives have a small impact in the atmosphere and in the future this
impact will be even lower. Technical and operational measurements will be introduced to reduce
the pollution. Technically, there are 3 different areas where rail sector is working to reduce
exhaust emissions
- Combustion: internal diesel engine improvements
- Exhaust after-treatment systems
- Combustibles

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9.3 Noise emissions
Noise emissions of rail vehicles are regulated by TSI-Noise or Technical Specification for
Interoperability relating to the subsystem “Rolling Stock-Noise” of the Trans-European
Conventional rail system since 2006.
Noise emitted by locomotives, multiple units and coaches subdivides into stationary noise,
starting noise, and pass-by noise. The noise within driver's cabs is also considered.
- The stationary noise is highly influenced by auxiliaries, such as cooling systems, air
conditioning and compressors.
- Starting noise is a combination of contributions from traction components such as diesel
engines and cooling fans, auxiliaries and, sometimes, wheel slip.
- Pass-by noise is highly influenced by the rolling noise, linked to the wheel/rail
interaction, which is a function of speed. The rolling noise itself is caused by the
combined wheel and rail roughness and by the dynamic behavior of the track and
wheelsets. At lower speeds the noise of auxiliaries and traction equipment is also
significant.
Multiple units are fixed trainsets either with distributed power or with one or more dedicated
power cars and coaches. Multiple units with electric traction are abbreviated as „EMUs‟, while
those with diesel traction are abbreviated as „DMUs‟. In this TSI the wording „diesel‟ or „diesel
engine‟ includes all forms of thermal engine that are used for traction. Fixed formation trains that
consist of two locomotives and coaches cannot be considered as multiple units if the locomotive
can operate in different train configurations. The emitted level of noise is characterized by:
- Sound pressure level, according to a defined measuring method,
- Microphone position,
- Speed of the wagon,
- Rail roughness,
- Dynamic and radiation behavior of the track.

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The interior noise level of passenger vehicles is not considered to be a basic parameter.
However, the noise level within the driver's cab is an important issue. Noise levels in the cab
must be kept as low as possible, by limiting the noise at the source and by appropriate
additional measures (acoustic insulation, sound absorption).
Limiting values LpAeq,T for the noise within the driver's cab of electric and diesel locomotives
are:

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Improvements and Innovations in locomotives relating noise are:
- Improvements in materials and design of the bogies and wheels helping to reduce the
impact of track irregularities in the outbound noise.
- Acoustical improvements in engines, compressors and brake and main noise sources
such as fans
- Improvements in the definition of control strategies to bring down the emissions of noise
of those sources.
- Reduction of the friction of rotating elements and new materials
- Aerodynamic designs of car body and cab structure
- Suspension technologies of the critical elements reducing solid noise
- Simulation of the vibratory performance of the structures by FEM and validation of
results
- Replace the shoe brakes by disc brakes. But the main noise comes from the wagons,
and we can also imagine wagons equipped with disc brakes. Of course the cost of disc
brakes will be higher than the shoe brakes.

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9.4 Recycling materials
The choice of the materials for trains manufacture must be run by precaution, economical,
reusing and recycling principles. Also, it has to be care about available technology and level of
knowledge existed. Manufacturers have to add the list of materials that they are using to make
their trains according to actual norms and restrictions about that. A document about the reason
or reasons why these materials are being used, where they are being used and which are
alternative materials instead of other ones has to be add too.
About use of each material and substances will be contemplated when and why it is used one
material instead of another one. For example, copper can be used for electric installations but it
can‟t be used at the brakes manufacturing because it has a high pollution in contact with
atmosphere, water or the floor.
All materials used have to be evaluated environmentally. The use of some materials is
regulated by international agreements like arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury,
nickel, zinc and its compounds. To reduce define the life cycle of their trains, the spares that
must be changed during the life cycle and their possible generation and disperse of pollution
during the period of use. Also it will be added they recyclability and reusability.
To reduce the consumption of natural resources and pollution, the manufacturer must define the
life cycle of their trains, the spares that must be changed during the life cycle and their possible
generation and disperse of pollution during the period of use. Also it will be added they
recyclability and reusability.
Here an example about materials and their recyclability:
Materials Recyclability rate (%) Materials Recyclability rate (%)

Steel 95 Rubber 98
stainless steel 95 Polyamide 98
Aluminum 95 PVC
Brass 95 Other polymers and resins 98
Alloys 95 Electronic 100
Copper 95 Charged polymers 100
Wood 100 Fibers 100
Textile 98 Oils 80
Glass 95 Fats
Polyester 98 Others (refrigerants, chemicals…) 75
Future locomotives have to contemplate from design, the whole life of locomotive and all
components must be taken into account. They locomotive should incorporate a big percentage
of recycling materials (about 90-95% recyclable following the norm ISO 22628).
Locomotives will also follow ISO 14025 environmental product declaration, which allows their
environmental impact to be evaluated throughout their lifecycle.
Following are the environmental commitments of rail sector relating to the used materials:
- Promote the manufacture of products certified ISO 14001.

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- Design and manufacture minimizing their impact on the environment.
- Reduce contribution to global warming.
- Respect and anticipate all legal and regulatory requirements.
- Materials:
- reduce quantities
- Increase recyclability using green materials.
- Maximize durable use of renewable resources
- Reduce risks of dispersal of toxically substances
- Control & minimize the use of dangerous substances
- Energy ⇒ Reduce energetic consumption
- Techniques for clean production
- Efficient distribution
- Impacts reduction during use phase
- Increase durability of the products
- End of life optimization

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10 TRANSITION PERIOD
FERRMED has defined the European freight locomotive concept for the future, but this
locomotive has to co-exist and operate with the actual ones in the existing infrastructures during
a long period (until renovation).
We have to also define how to manage the transition period.
The State-of-the-art in Europe:

1. Couplers are not automatic.
2. Long braking distances.
3. No distributed multiple traction. Multiple traction with one driver is only possible with
two locomotives in the head. Other configurations require at the moment one driver per
locomotive.
4. Length shorter than 1500m in siding and marshalling yards.
5. Countries are gradually installing ERTMS on some of their train lines but still it is not
full in operations along the FERRMED Great Axis.
6. Interoperability is still not a reality
Stages to solve the interoperability problems in Europe:

1. Cross-Acceptance agreements between all EU countries to speed the homologation
process of the rolling stock
2. To solve the infrastructure barriers that avoid the interoperability between EU countries.
In the European Rail Freight Core Network: track gauge should be 1435 mm along the
corridors; train gauge and maximum train length should be the same in all corridor,
installation ERTMS…
3. EU Countries should finish the installation of ERTMS in their rail lines belonging to main
freight corridors of Europe (Rail Freight Core Network). Until ERTMS is fully
implemented, locomotives and trains must have installed the safety systems of all
countries where operate.
4. Finish the redaction of the TSI and make them mandatory for all countries and cross-
border rolling stock
5. To extend interoperability solutions of EU Rail freight Core Network to all European rail
lines to make an gradually unique European Rail Network.
Stage to increase the length and load of the freight trains:

1. To increase the length of siding and marshalling yards to allow the formation of trains of
1500m. or search new terminals locations where the extension is not possible. Take this
into account also in new lines and terminals to be built along the EU Rail Freight Core
Network and
2. Nowadays multiple traction is used with 2 locomotives in the head of the train operated
by 1 driver. The other solution with one locomotive in the head and other in the middle
is less used. For one hand, it is better to relax the efforts on the couplers, which are not

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automatic, but this configuration needs now two drivers because is not possible via
radio the remote control of the second locomotive.
3. When ERTMS level 2 is installed in whole EU Rail Core Network, it will be possible to
operate trains with distributed multiple traction and 1 driver. The communication
between locomotives will be made then via radio,
4. To change gradually current coupling to automatic coupling that is compatible with
current screw coupling and to implement E-ECP brake first to the new rolling stock and
afterwards to the present fleet of locomotives and wagons with an “European overhaul
program”
5. when the couplings allow it, locomotives and wagons can be wire-connected

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11 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The final objective of FERRMED Standards, of FERRMED Freight Locomotive Concept and
FERRMED Wagon Concept is to increase the competitiveness and profitability of the freight
transport in Europe to reduce logistics costs of the companies making them more competitive.
To achieve this purpose, FERRMED proposes:
o To increase the length and the load of the train to 1500m and 3600 ÷ 5000 tons with
22.5 tons per axle (in the future 25 t/axle). Up now called “FERRMED trains”.
o To allow the free circulation of freight trains at least along the European Rail Freight
Core Network. Due to the barriers (legal, political and physical) that traditionally the
countries have made to international rail traffic; interoperability is one of the main
issues that European locomotives should solve.
Conclusions of this study are:
1. More power does not mean more load. More powerful locomotive allows operations at
higher speed and acceleration, but there are other parameters that define if a load can
be hauled or not and if this train can start or not. These parameters are:
o Type of coupling
o Adhesion
o Adherent weight of the locomotive/s.
2. Starting tractive effort required to start and to haul “FERRMED trains” in slopes of
12‰ are between 600kN and 800kN depending on the total tons transported. That is
double than current European locomotives have (300kN have Bo-Bo locomotives,
400kN have Co-Co locomotives), therefore, it will be necessary more than 1 locomotive
to haul “FERRMED trains”.
3. Adherent weight of the locomotives increases with the number of motorized axles of
the locomotive and with the axle load. Under European infrastructure constrains
(maximum 22,5 t/axle) at least 12 axles are required to haul “FERRMED trains”.
Therefore, although in terms of purchasing costs, operational costs or maintenance
costs… it will be more competitive to operate “FERRMED Trains” with just a powerful
locomotive; it is necessary at least 2 Co-Co locomotives or 3 Bo-Bo locomotives to
start such trains of 3600 t ÷ 5000t in slopes of 12‰.
4. Limitations of adhesion by the Infrastructure Administrations should be revised and
updated. Thanks to new technologies, current and future locomotives can achieve
better adhesion coefficients than former ones with just electromechanical adhesion
control systems. FERRMED recommends accepting at least an adhesion coefficient
(µo) of 33%.
5. The total power required to haul “FERRMED trains” in an adequate speed will round
7.000 KW to 10.000 kW. But, it is enough that FERRMED Locomotive has 3.500 KW to
5.000 KW with the capacity to operate in multiple traction. Anyway, more powerful
locomotives have advantages respect speed and acceleration.
6. Power can be supplied by the catenary, by diesel motors or by any new energy supply
technology feasible in the future: fuel-cell, batteries …

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7. Couplings with higher resistance as the current screw coupling are also required.
Automatic coupling is the best option in terms of resistance and safety but also to allow
longer trains than current European ones. The coupling should be universal for all
types of European locos and wagons. It should also be compatible with Russian
coupling and during the transition period, it should be compatible with current screw
coupling.
8. FERRMED locomotive should be interoperable, so they should meet following
requirements:
- Fulfill all applicable TSI, European Directives and national-specific norms
- Be homologated for all countries where it will operate
- Track gauge: 1435mm
- Diesel or electrical multi-tension locomotive at least until the whole Freight Core
Network has the same voltage, 25kV
- Equipped with European Central Driver Desk.
- ERTMS should be the communication system between train and rail, replacing the
system used in each country actually. FERRMED Locomotive should be able for
ERTMS level2: equipped with ETCS and GSM-R radio system.
9. FERRMED locomotive must allow distributed multiple traction. The communication
between locomotives can be wireless (via radio) or wire-connected.
10. FERRMED locomotive should have the capability of communication with the wagons.
11. Brake system must be E-ECP (Enhanced-Electronically controlled pneumatic system
12. FERRMED locomotive should ensure the comfort of the driver but also the safety of
driver and load.
13. FERRMED locomotive should have also a commitment with the environment including
all innovations to reduce noise and exhaust emissions but also the energy
consumption. Locomotive must be recyclable as much as it could be possible (around
90 ÷ 95%), producing minimum pollution as possible and be silent and efficient as
much as it could be possible.
14. Many of the innovations of the FERRMED Freight Locomotive Concept are already
developed but still not implemented. The total implementation of some of them like
ERTMS, automatic coupling, E-ECP brake, distributed multiple traction via radio or
wire-connected… will require still some years. During this transition period, rolling
stock should incorporate gradually the innovations.

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12 SUMMARY: HOW IS FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE?
Characteristics “FERRMED Trains”

Length 1.500m
Gross Weight = Load 3.600 t ÷ 5.000t
Number of motorized axles 12 axles
Number of locomotives More than one: 2 Co-Co or 3 Bo-Bo
Starting tractive effort of the train 600 kN ÷ 800 kN
Power of the train 7.000 kW ÷ 10.000 kW
Characteristics FERRMED Freight Locomotive

Starting tractive effort of the locomotive 300 kN ÷ 400 kN
Power of the locomotive 3.500 kW ÷ 5.000 kW
Axle load 22,5 t/axle ÷ 25 t/axle
Axle arrangement Co-Co or Bo-Bo
Maximum speed 120 km/h
Track gauge 1435 mm
Loading gauge UIC C
Adhesion coefficient (µo) At least 33%
Type of traction Diesel locomotive or electrical multi-tension
locomotive
Pantographs (for electric locos) Two devices type C and two Type D
Multiple traction YES, distributed traction (not only locomotives
on the head of the train)
Coupling Automatic with capability to connect current
UIC screw couplers and Russian couplers.
Brake E-ECP Brake System (Enhanced-
Electronically controlled pneumatic system)
Interoperability YES. Fulfillment all applicable TSI and other
European Directives
Safety and Signaling system ERTMS
Train control system ETCS
Radio system GSM-R

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Cab 2 cabs with central desk ensuring safety and
comfort of the driver
Noise TSI CR Noise
Exhaust Emissions EU 2004/26 Stage IIIB
Others Incorporation of state-of-the art technologies
to improve energy efficiency
Incorporation of state-of-the-art driving advice
systems and operations assistance systems
Materials About 95% recyclable materials

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Rue de Trèves 49 – box 7
B-1040 Brussels – BELGIUM
Tél.: +32 (0)2 230 59 50
Fax: +32 (0)2 230 70 35
E-mail: [email protected]
www.ferrmed.com

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What are the characteristics of FERRMED trains?

What are the characteristics of FERRMED trains?

What are the technical requirements for a FERRMED freight locomotive?

What are the technical requirements for a FERRMED freight locomotive?

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

1.1 What is FERRMED?

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

1.3 The FERRMED Standards

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

In Europe there are different track gauges:

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

4.1.6 Different radio frequency and radio system

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

Why does Europe need ERTMS?

A unique train control system for Europe and beyond

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

Figure 10. Source Internet

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

Are the countries investing on ERTMS system?

Countries are investing gradually

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

“FERRMED Locomotives” should be interoperable and homologated in all EU

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

Conclusions of the table

o AUSTRALIA, INDIA, SOUTH AFRICA:

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

6.1 Why trains of 3.600t up to 5.000t?

6.1.1 Intermodal train of 1.500 m

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

In the start During running

 Maximum admissible train gross  Maximum admissible train gross

6.2.1 Maximum admissible train gross weight in the start

Q ≤ [(Fs /9,8 * 1000) / (rs + i)] – L

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

Loco Starting tractive Slopes Maximum

FERRMED FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE CONCEPT STUDY

Q ≤ [(Fμ0 * 1000) / (rs + i)] – L

Maximum train gross

33% 125t 0‰ 10.188 t

26% 125t 0‰ 8.000 t

33% 85t 0‰ 6.928 t

26% 85t 0‰ 5.440 t