Test and Validation Center in Wegberg-Wildenrath

Test and Validation Centre Wegberg-Wildenrath (PCW) for railway testing

On 44 hectares of land

30 km

standard and meter gauge
with 2 test ovals

For questions about our Test and Validation Center Wegberg-Wildenrath, please:

Testing and validation Locomotives, entire trains, trams, metro vehicles – just about every type of rail vehicle makes its way to Wegberg-Wildenrath at some time or another. That’s because it’s home to one of the world’s largest railway test center for rolling stock: Siemens Mobility’s Test and Validation Center Wegberg-Wildenrath (PCW) – with certification and accreditation and a success story stretching back over 20 years.

Testing, validation, and certification of your vehicles and systems

Welcome to the PCW test center for rail vehicles

The accredited and certified Test and Validation Center in Wegberg-Wildenrath – the PCW – is your ideal partner for the testing, validation, and certification of your rolling stock and systems. Here we can perform typical railway tests on practically all standard-gauge and meter-gauge vehicles as well as systems and components – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, independently of public rail network operations. The infrastructure is also available to third parties, twenty-five percent of the vehicles tested come from other companies.

Facilities like measurement track curves, turn-tilt tables, and the vehicle weighing system provide a host of testing options that give you as rail operator the results you need for acceptance tests by certification authorities. Vehicles and systems are tested under real-life conditions or simulated extreme conditions, with static or dynamic tests. This mobility testing services are provided at the Test and Validation Center or right at your own location.

A wide range of mobility testing services at the PCW or your own location

Inspection

Assessing the results: The Test and Validation Center carries out inspections independently in accordance with the European TSI conformity rating procedure. Our functions include the rating and assessment of measurement results and values according to defined criteria.

Logistics

Vehicle transfers: As a railway undertaking, we organize and implement the transport of vehicles to and from the Test and Validation Center. This significantly reduces your own coordination and handling work.

Testing

Field testing: We develop in-house test procedures, technology, and plans to verify that your vehicles and components meet all the requirements of the certification authorities. This includes static and dynamic tests and covers the testing of mechanical and electric vehicle components.

Certification

Guaranteed issue of operating license: We coordinate the contents of tests with the certification authorities and compile all the documentation needed to ensure that certification of your systems goes without a hitch.

PCW test equipment Our facilities at the PCW railway test center in Wegberg-Wildenrath are ideally equipped to meet your unique requirements.

Test track infrastructure – including meter and standard gauge

Simulating reality on 30 km of test track (without installation tracks)

Railway test track at the PCW test centre — Special meter-gauge and standard-gauge test tracks allow a diverse range of tests to be performed, including movement through curves and on grades, leakage tests, and high-pressure sprinkling tests.

Measurement track curve – to determine track behavior

Measurement track curve at the PCW test centre

So you’ll always stay on track

A 50 meter-long measurement track with a curve radius of 150 meters and two measurement fields is available for determining wheel support and guidance forces. The safety of rail vehicles against derailment is assessed here in accordance with DIN EN 14363:2005.

Turn-tilt table – to determine riding stability

Turn-tilt table at the PCW railway test center

For controlling every turn

Traveling through curves, over hills, and across dips can be simulated at a standstill. Both standard and meter gauge vehicles are tested on the turn-tilt table. The following tests can also be carried out: testing the freedom of movement between bogie and vehicle body, and determining the rotation torque of bogies.

Tipping equipment – to determine rolling characteristics

Tipping equipment at the PCW railway test center

So your ride is always stable

Corresponding tipping equipment is available for measuring vehicle rolling characteristics. Here the effect of transverse accelerations such as centrifugal forces or side winds can be simulated on the test bed by means of tipping.

Acoustic measuring rig – to determine noise emissions

Acoustic measuring rig at the PCW railway test center

For whisper-quiet travel

Compliance with legal noise limits is essential: The authorities are extremely precise and withhold approval if a rail vehicle is only one decibel louder than allowed.

Your vehicles can be subjected to a noise test at speeds of up to 99,4 mph on an acoustic measuring rig in accordance with TSI Noise and DIN EN ISO 3095:2005. This is much easier than testing them on the public network during normal operation. The condition of the track complies with strict European approval regulations and is regularly inspected.

Weighing and distortion testing facility – for protection against derailment

Weighing and distortion testing facility at the PCW railway test center

To keep weight, wheel loads and wheel vertical loads within acceptable limits

Eight weighing elements are provided on a 52 meter-long, leveled, standard-gauge track. The distance between these elements can be varied. The load-bearing capacity per wheelset is 30 tons, with a measuring range per wheel of between 1 and 180 kilonewtons. The measured values have a resolution of 50 newtons. This makes it possible to determine the precise weight of your vehicles.

So you stay on track

The vehicle weighing system is also used for distortion testing and can set parallel lifting heights up to 120 millimeters for each wheel at eight axles and determine the corresponding wheel load reduction.

High-voltage test system – for voltage protection

High-voltage test system at the PCW railway test center

To guarantee safety in an electric railway environment

Lightning and switching impulse voltages can be applied for test purposes using the IP5/200L impulse voltage test system. This system has functions for switching impulse (250/2500 µs) and lightning impulse (1.2/50 µs), with parameters in accordance with DIN EN 60060-1. Alternating and direct voltages can be tested on the AC/DC high-voltage test system according to DIN EN 60060-2 with 10 kV AC, 100 kV AC and 135 kV DC.

Working facilities – with world-class service

Powerful mobility testing services in every way

Working platforms at the PCW railway test center — 62 meter-long roof-height working platforms for safe assembly – protecting employees against electric shock while offering optimal access to the train

Two crane systems at the PCW railway test center — Two crane systems with a lifting force of 20 tons each – for replacing large rail vehicle and roof-mounted components

Lifting jacks at the PCW railway test center — Synchronized lifting jacks that can be flexibly positioned to raise a train weighing up to 16 or 32 tons – for accessing drive units and bogies

Bogie changing at the PCW railway test center — Two bogie changing devices for an 80-ton load-bearing capacity and for lifting up to 30 tons – for the space-saving changing of bogies

Power supply at the PCW railway test center — Power supply for all common European DC and AC voltages in both train formation halls – overhead contact wires in all halls

Elevated tracks at the PCW railway test center — Elevated tracks – for commissioning or inspecting the bogie area

Accreditations and certifications

Certified and accredited by independent bodies

Special track geometry – tested according to DIN EN 14363

150 m double S-curve

Assessment of running safety
Couplings on a curve
Assessment of intercar gangways
Compliance with UIC 530-2, Annex G and TSI Infrastructure Annex H

190 m S-curve

Assessment of running safety
Compliance with UIC 518, Annex N and TSI Infrastructure Annex N
With 6 meter straight between curves, no camber

Curved crossing

Investigation of track/wheel interaction in curved crossing
Compliance with ORE B9 RP8 and UIC 510

Downloads The PCW railway test center in Wegberg-Wildenrath offers you a wide range of mobility testing services for rolling stock at the PCW or your own location – from inspections to certification. You can download more information here.

Downloads

Certifiations

Contact

Do you have any questions about railway testing at our PCW test centre?

For more information about the Test and Validation Center Wegberg-Wildenrath – the PCW – and our mobility testing services, please contact our experts. They will be glad to assist you. Contact: Test and Validation Center Wegberg-Wildenrath | Friedrich-List-Allee 1 | 41844 Wegberg-Wildenrath | Germany | Tel.: +49 (2432) 9480 0

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