Gearbox inspection on locomotive Type Ge 4/4 III
Customer: Rhaetian Railway, Switzerland
Project tasks
- Damage analysis
- Conceptualisation of strengthening due to increase in speed
- Cost estimation
Our Approach
Rhaetian Railway (RhB) commissioned PROSE to inspect the gearboxes and engine bearings of its twelve Ge 4/4 III electric locomotives, which have been in service since 1993. The locomotives have recently exhibited increased oil loss, bearing damage and blocked axles. RhB is also planning to increase the tractive power by 10% to 220 kN and the maximum speed to 120 km/h.
PROSE has taken on the following tasks:
- Analysing the causes of damage and developing measures for elimination and prevention
- Creation of a concept for the strength assessment of the bogies and the traction power transmission for a remaining service life of 20 years
- Development of four variants for strengthening the bogie with cost estimates
- Creation of a concept for the running dynamics tests and the adaptation of the drive and brake technology for the speed increase
- Preparation of an approval concept for the tractive force and speed increase
PROSE summarised the results in a report and presented it to the RhB. PROSE also supported the RhB with recommendations for the next steps.
Customer benefit
By increasing speed, RhB can both shorten journey times and increase its attractiveness for passengers and freight transport. Targeted investigations and the development of possible adaptation options for drive and braking technology will ensure the reliability of the fleet and the strategy to increase speed will be consistently pursued. PROSE provided RhB with comprehensive advice and support in the implementation of this project, based on many years of experience and expertise in the rail vehicle sector.
