Talgo has developed a new type of running gear frame that reduces the mass of the rolling assembly by 50% compared to those constructed using welded steel plates.
This will be on show at the JEC fair in Paris next month:
Talgo New High-Speed Rolling Assemblies Trains©Talgo
Supported by the European Commission’s Shift2Rail initiative, the running gear frame has been developed for Avril very high-speed trains, but could be adapted for other Talgo intercity or commuter vehicles.
As this is the second-heaviest structural component of the train, and the first in terms of structural resistance requirements, replacing steel with carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites (CFRP) results in large weight reductions with no impact to operating requirements.
Benefits include simplified assembly processes, reduced energy consumption and track wear and tear and an increase in passenger capacity.