Gauge-changing bogie - EV09

Customer: Montreux-Berner Ober-

land-Bahn (MOB), Switzerland

Operator: MOB, Switzerland

Project tasks:

• Structural analysis
• Simulation and anlysis of
running behauvior
• Detailed manufacturing
design
• Air spring and vehicle antiroll
bar tests

Technical data for the bogie:

• Operational service from:

• 2017 with 54 coaches
• Track gauge: 1000 mm and
1435 mm
• Max. speed: 100 km/h
• Axle load: 8 t

Track gauge 1’000 mm Track gauge 1’435 mm

Project specification
The Montreux-Berner Oberland-Bahn (MOB) entrusted
PROSE with the design of gauge-changing trailing bo-
gies. The development engineers used MOB’s construc-
tion and operating principle, which makes it possible
to change the gauge of the bogies by letting them
run over a fixed axle-gauge changeover facility at low
speed, as a basis for the design of the bogies. The
change from meter gauge to standard gauge and vice
versa is facilitated by two half frames, which can be slid
435 mm sideways relative to each other and which are
equipped with independent wheels. This construction
principle was to be realized concretely.
Further challenges for PROSE were the compensation
of the different platform heights for standard gauge
and meter gauge by way of two supports of different
heights in the bogie traverse as well as the custo-
mer’s requirement that it had to be possible to fit the
new bogies under existing carbodies and under new
carbodies.
Our approach
During the design phase of the bogies PROSE perfor-
med structural analyses, calculated the running dyna-
mics and analysed different alternatives to optimise
the components and the bogies. Wherever possible,
PROSE’s engineers used components proven and te-
sted by railways such as air spring and vehicle antiroll
bar to minimise the risks that are generally inherent
to new developments. If this was not possible, e.g. in
case of the axle-gauge changeover faci-
lities, PROSE used positively driven mechanisms such
as trunnions and positive interlocking devices. By pre-
ferring simple mechanisms and standard components,
PROSE was able to reduce the number of spare parts
to be stored and thus reduce the maintenance costs.
The bogies were developed in close collaboration with
Project manager
the MOB. PROSE defined the design requirements for Christoph Gyr
the axle-gauge changeover facility by way of compu- Phone: +41 52 262 74 22
ter simulations and calculations and MOB constructed christoph.gyr@prose.one
it.
Customer benefit PROSE AG
Zürcherstrasse 41
Thanks to the innovative gauge-changing bogies it will 8400 Winterthur
be possible for MOB’s passengers to drive with the Switzerland
GoldenPass trains between Montreux and Interlaken Phone: +41 52 262 74 00
without have to change trains at the positions at www.prose.one
which the track changes its gauge. Thus, the offer and
the attractiveness of the line are improved, which has
a positive effect on the tourism in the Berner Oberland
and at the Vaud Riviera. The passengers benefit from
the new services and enjoy higher ride comfort.

V01 Trailing bogie EV 09