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Author: Livia In-Albon

Optimizing Rail Maintenance: PROSE’s Strategic Upgrade for Vevey Depot

PROSE is proud to spearhead the enhancement of the Vevey depot, focusing on expanding its capacity for heavy maintenance tasks. Our recent project with MOB aimed to optimize the maintenance operations for the Vevey—Les Pléiades line, enhancing efficiency and reducing operational costs. 

What has PROSE done as part of this project?  

  • Current Infrastructure Analysis: We thoroughly documented and evaluated the existing maintenance facilities at Vevey. 
  • Strategic Planning: Developed potential infrastructure upgrades to enable comprehensive maintenance services on-site. 
  • Customized Solutions: Produced several tailored variants to address both current and future needs of the rail line. 

Our efforts provided MOB with actionable insights and detailed plans, ensuring Vevey’s depot could handle more extensive maintenance responsibilities effectively. The strategic enhancements we proposed are set to significantly improve maintenance logistics and reduce the need for vehicle transfers, fostering greater operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. 

We’re excited to see how our innovative approach will drive forward the capabilities of the Vevey depot! Click on the link  for more information: https://prose.one/investigation-of-the-bogie-revision-to-update-the-processes-at-a-swiss-federal-railways-depot/

PROSE’s expert evaluation of rail vehicle carbodies

PROSE recently partnered with a leading European rail vehicle manufacturer to evaluate the aluminium carbody structures of multiple-unit trains. This project highlighted our commitment to ensuring safety and efficiency in rail transport through detailed engineering assessments.

The project focus was:

  • Comprehensive Review: We assessed everything from the design philosophy to the validation plans for carbody structures.
  • Special Attention: Welding integrity and crashworthiness were key focus areas, ensuring the carbody’s durability and safety.
  • Adaptation to Local Conditions: We meticulously analyzed load scenarios specific to the end customer’s operational environment, going beyond standard requirements.

Our expert evaluation helps reduce design risks, offering our client and their customers confidence in the carbody’s performance and compliance. With PROSE’s independent review, stakeholders have an additional layer of quality assurance to rely on.

We’re excited to contribute to setting new standards in rail vehicle design, reinforcing safety, and innovation across the industry. Click on the link to find out more about the project: https://prose.one/expert-opinion-on-carbody-structures/

 

Set Your Strategy with PROSE at InnoTrans 2024

Are new customer demands or operational needs posing challenges? Planning to explore a new market? Struggling to decide between extending the life of your assets or opting for new procurement? 

At PROSE, we’re dedicated to helping you define your mission and establish a clear purpose around your asset management of rail vehicles and infrastructure. We begin with a comprehensive analysis of the market, relevant systems, and regulatory boundaries to provide a detailed understanding of your challenges. 

With our in-depth knowledge of the railway industry, we’ll help you uncover the ideal business model, keeping the implementation in mind. Whether you need a step-by-step guide for fleet strategy migration, assistance with “make or buy” procurement decisions, or support in other strategic areas, we’re here to offer you solutions as a trusted partner. 

For more information click on this link: https://prose.one/set-your-strategy/  

Visit our booth at InnoTrans 2024 to discover how PROSE can be your helping hand in navigating the complex landscape of modern transport technology and shaping the future of mobility. Book your meeting here: https://prose.one/innotrans2024/  

PROSE delivers custom Workshop Bogies to enhance depot operations

PROSE delivered successfully four tailor-made workshop bogies, designed to meet the unique needs of a client’s depot. These robust bogies are engineered for high load capacity, flexibility, and durability, improving maintenance efficiency and safety. 

Our highlights: 

  • Custom Design: Specifically crafted for diverse vehicle types and challenging workshop conditions. 
  • Quality and Durability: Built with premium materials, ensuring long-term usability and minimal maintenance. 

The new Workshop bogies significantly enhance maintenance efficiency and safety within the depot, reducing downtime and increasing operational safety. These improvements support not only daily routines but also extend the service life and performance of maintained vehicles. 

We are excited to see these bogies in action, helping to streamline maintenance processes and elevate depot operations. To find more about this project click on this link: https://prose.one/delivery-of-four-workshop-bogies/ 

How are PROSE and Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) shaping the future of eco-friendly transportation?

PROSE is working with the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) as part of its initiative to switch to climate-neutral yellow fleet vehicles.

In this complex project, where battery operation is not yet fully regulated, PROSE has supported SBB by further developing the standard requirements catalog for the battery subsystem.

Our work included:

  • Content adaptation and extension: adaptation of requirements to operational and environmental objectives.
  • Categorisation: Differentiation of requirements into functional and non-functional to increase clarity.
  • Criteria weighting: Definition of “MUST” and “SHOULD” criteria to support the evaluation matrix of the tendering process.

Our collaboration facilitated the integration of these specifications into SBB’s requirements management system, Polarion®, and prepared SBB for a successful tender process.

This collaboration is an important step towards modernising public transport in Switzerland with a focus on sustainability. We strive to deliver effective solutions that support our partners in achieving their environmental and operational goals, shaping the mobility of tomorrow. To find out more about the project click on this link: https://prose.one/requirements-for-battery-vehicles/

PROSE at InnoTrans 2024

We are in the midst of preparations for InnoTrans 2024 – time flies by and we cannot believe InnoTrans is almost only 100 days away.  

One important cornerstone of our planning is our collaborative partnerships. They are crucial for driving innovation and creating sustainable mobility solutions for the future. These partnerships enable us to combine strengths and insights, accelerating the development of cutting-edge technologies and smart transportation systems. 

Stay tuned to find out more. Meanwhile we’ll show you a glimpse behind the scenes. Our Berlin office is getting overwhelmed with deliveries and preparing to greet you at our booth in hall 2.2 

Visit our booth at InnoTrans 2024 and find out how we are mastering the challenges of the railway business and shaping the mobility of tomorrow. We value long-term partnerships and believe collaboration is the key to success. We can’t wait to hear about your projects and discuss customized solutions for your needs.  

PROSE around the globe: shaping the future at key mobility events

In Tampere, Finland, we took part in the Light Rail Day, a gathering of experts from the light rail industry. Discussions centred on ambitious plans to expand light rail lines across Finland, reflecting the country’s commitment to improving its urban transport systems. On this occasion, PROSE was able to offer its expertise in various technical areas to support the growth and development of sustainable urban transport solutions in the region.  

In Poland, during the SWISSRAIL fact-finding mission, Christoph Gyr had the opportunity to introduce PROSE to local operators and infrastructure managers in a series of “speed dating” meetings. These discussions highlighted the potential needs that PROSE can fulfil in the Polish market and laid the foundations for future collaboration. 

Across the ocean, at the APTA conference in Cleveland, Ohio, we networked with the American rail community, gaining insights into current market dynamics and exploring new partnership opportunities with transit agencies and engineering groups. These contacts are of great value as we strive to increase our influence and develop innovative solutions for the American railway sector. 

With each of these events, PROSE has not only shared our vision, but also deepened our global impact, bringing us closer to our goal of improving mobility solutions worldwide. We are excited about the opportunities these engagements have opened up for us and look forward to what lies ahead on our journey to advance global mobility. 

Discover how we are shaping the mobility of tomorrow and contact us: https://prose.one/contact/ 

Expert report on metre-gauge flat wagons with cogwheel brake

Customer: PVF Trade, s.r.o., Czech Republic

Project tasks

  • Project management
  • Definition and procurement of input data
  • Review and appraisal of all input documents
  • Preparation of expert report

Our Approach

PROSE was commissioned by the company PVF Trade, s.r.o., to prepare an expert test report (SV report) on the test report of suspension tests of the vehicle “four-axle service – flat wagon 1000mm track with cogwheel brake”.

The report is intended to provide information on the compliance of the brake tests according to the test report “Flat wagon with toothed wheel brake suspension tests” with the provisions of the AB-EBV and their fulfilment.

All documents submitted were checked for completeness and plausibility. The check was carried out against all relevant requirements from the FOT guidelines AB-EBV.

In the event of inconsistencies and/or missing information, these were requested from the client or other project partners. On this basis, a final expert report was prepared and submitted to the client.

Customer benefit

​PROSE’s prompt preparation of the expert report guarantees a smooth and rapid handling of the authorisation procedure. The intensive review of the documents provided ensures that the report meets the highest quality standards and that the vehicle is guaranteed to operate safely. The intensive project supervision by the PROSE expert regarding adjustments and requirements for the documentation with all project partners relieves the customer of this organisational work and ensures rapid and high-quality processing.

 

 

Delivery of four dummy bogies

Project tasks

  • Project management
  • Manufacture

Our Approach

PROSE was commissioned to develop and manufacture four customised dummy bogies for the depot. The main challenge was to design robust bogies suitable for use in the demanding conditions of a workshop environment. These bogies not only need to have a high load capacity but also have to offer flexible adaptability to different vehicle types and maintenance requirements of the depot. The manufacturing process required carefully selecting materials and technologies that ensure long-term durability and resistance to mechanical stresses and environmental influences. In addition, special attention was paid to ergonomics and user-friendliness to ensure the safety of depot employees and increase the efficiency of maintenance processes. The technical specifications were worked out in detail in close cooperation with the customer to ensure that the finished bogies are optimally adapted to the depot’s specific requirements and existing infrastructure.

PROSE tackled this task with a focused approach to quality and functionality. The four dummy-bogies were manufactured under strict quality control and using high-quality materials. Each bogie was carefully designed to meet the specific requirements of the depot, with particular attention paid to durability and ease of maintenance. The noise reduction target of >1dB set at the beginning of the project was successfully achieved with a theoretical analysis.

Customer benefit

​The provision of these four customised dummy-bogies offers the customer considerable advantages. Thanks to the improved reliability and robustness of the bogies, maintenance work can be carried out more efficiently and safely. This leads to a significant reduction in downtime and an increase in operational safety in the depot. The customised bogies, therefore, not only support daily routines but also help to improve the service life and performance of the vehicles maintained in the depot.

 

   

Gearbox investigation on vehicles

Project tasks

  • Project management
  • Create a feasibility study
  • Test proposals based on the preliminary study
  • Evaluation from tests
  • Recommendations

Our Approach

The feasibility study involved testing the sealing proposals recommended by PROSE on two different gearboxes of the vehicle. One gearbox was found to have a minor leakage, while the second gearbox showed similar levels of leakage as before, despite the use of a sealing compound and a regular O-seal. These tests helped to evaluate the effectiveness of the various proposed sealing methods and provided valuable data for the further development of the solutions.

Customer benefit

​Based on the results of the tests, PROSE can now make specific recommendations for further steps. PROSE, therefore, recommends that the next step is to test the X-seal and simultaneously apply two lines of sealant to the motor output shaft. This recommendation is based on the observed performance of the tested seal variants and aims to develop a more robust solution to prevent oil leakage. This strategic approach allows the customer to make targeted adjustments and improvements to resolve the problem in the long term and improve the operational reliability and service life of the gearbox.

 

    

Expert opinion on carbody structures

Project tasks

Verification of

  • Design Concept and Philosophy
  • Carbody calculation specification
  • Carbody crash specification
  • Validation plan
  • Finite element descriptive document
  • Calculation results
  • Weldings

Our Approach

PROSE supported the established European rail vehicle manufacturer with reviews to ensure that the development of its carbody structures complies with all requirements (safety, durability, strength/rigidity) specified in the standards and is supplemented by customer requirements.

Two essential characteristics of carbody structure are crashworthiness and fatigue strength. To check these properties, design principles and calculation methods must be evaluated.

The evaluation focused on the customer’s stress report, which PROSE carefully checked. In addition to evidence of carbody straining by standardised loads, evidence of results from load scenarios in the end customer’s country is required. Such load scenarios are not directly defined in a standard but must be analysed. As this task is more complex, PROSE scrutinised this part of the report with particular attention.

Customer benefit

PROSE helped ensure the development of a cutting-edge aluminium carbody structure. The customer and the end customer highly valued its independent expert opinion as quality assurance.

With PROSE as an independent assessor, the customers had a further means of reducing design risks by using the expertise of PROSE’s seasoned engineers.

 

  

Variant study for the further development of a metre-gauge railway workshop

Customer: Compagnie du Chemin de Fer Montreux Oberland bernois MOB, Switzerland

Project tasks

  • Analysis and documentation of the current situation
  • High-level requirements definition
  • Development of variants

Our Approach

The MOB operates the approximately 10-kilometre Vevey — Les Pléiades line with adhesion and cogwheel sections. The light maintenance of the vehicles travelling on this line is carried out in Vevey. As Vevey’s workshop infrastructure is insufficient for heavy maintenance, the vehicles are transferred to other workshops. Due to the small number of vehicles, the facility in Vevey is only used for around one week per month.

To reduce the maintenance costs of the vehicles concerned, MOB would like to equip the Vevey site so that heavy maintenance can also be carried out there. PROSE was commissioned to examine how the Vevey site could be further developed to meet these requirements.

PROSE documented the site’s maintenance infrastructure. The maintenance processes were then analysed to determine what infrastructure the site would need to meet the future requirements of centralised maintenance. Finally, options were developed for further development.

Customer benefit

​The MOB received a comprehensive range of variants that took into account the current and future challenges at the site and on the Les Pléiades line. The variants were assessed in terms of requirements compliance and risks. Finally, further actions were outlined, and a concrete recommendation for the next steps was formulated.

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