EUCAB Train

Differences in operation and control— and certain other technical hitches—are still hindering the advent of high-speed (300 km/h plus) international rail travel in Europe. To combat these problems, the European Union has instituted the MODTRAIN (Modular Train) research, and design project. The objective: European- wide harmonisation and simplification of engineering and design solutions e.g. for high-speed trains. Participating in the project are Europe’s railway operators and the biggest European railway vehicle manufacturers—including Bombardier Transportation. Collaborating with the FAV, Berlin, the company is responsible for coordinating one of the MODTRAIN sub-projects to which the EUCAB (European Cabs) traction unit research project belongs. This has involved the development of a 1:1 model of a train driver’s cab offering a standard operating concept which will increase safety and save millions of euros—for example in the cost of training power car drivers who at the moment have to acquire separate licences for each individual traction unit type.

Prominent Features

In the service of safety

"EUCAB is not a styling project but rather a design undertaking in the service of safety," explains Lutz Gelbert, Head of Design and Development of the rail vehicle business unit Mainline Deutschland at Bombardier Transportation. This equally applies to the DORMA-developed safety glass door leading to the driver’s cab, a system solution ensuring maximum safety, elegant transparency and flexible opening of the door in both directions. Aside from the PHA 2500 cross bar panic device and the SVP 5000 emergency escape lock with automatic locking action, the system also incorporates the DORMA BTS 75 floor spring. ‘Beyond’ fittings from DORMA’s Glass division also eliminate any nip hazard at the secondary closing edge. The demonstration prototype derived from the 1:1 model will be available for train operators to test in the simulator from the beginning of 2007.