European Railway Challenge tests 1:5-scale locomotives

The European Railway Challenge will put 1:5-scale working locomotives through practical tests. Future railway engineers built the locomotives. The event runs from June 5 to 7 in Bad Schussenried, Germany. Alpha Trains sponsors the competition. The Aachen University of Applied Sciences organizes it. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The annual event was initiated and is run by the Aachen University of Applied Sciences. In addition, it gives student teams a practical setting. Student teams use it to develop and test innovative railway vehicle concepts.

The event is held as the Alpha Trains European Railway Challenge. Also, it brings together teams from several European countries. Each team designs and builds a functional 1:5-scale locomotive. The locomotives are then assessed in conditions intended to resemble real railway operation.

European Railway Challenge tests student-built locomotives

The student-built vehicles run on a model railway line in Bad Schussenried. The town is in Germany’s Upper Swabia region. The track has a gauge of 10.25 inches, or 260.35 mm.

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Testing covers several technical areas. For example, these include traction, braking performance, reliability, energy efficiency, and ride comfort.

At the same time, the competition is designed to give future railway engineers practical exposure. The focus is on technical, economic, and sustainability challenges in the railway sector. The format is practical, rather than only theoretical.

Record participation across eight teams

Meanwhile, this year’s edition has attracted a record field, with eight teams registered:

• EAGLE from Nuremberg University of Applied Sciences;
• PUTtrain from Poznań University of Technology in Poland;
• FH2Rail from the Aachen University of Applied Sciences;
• Loc.KA.engineering e.V. from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology;
• Next Stop: Innovation! from Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences;
• Heron from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK;
• ifs Charlemagne Express from RWTH Aachen University;
• the Locomotive Engineering Team from the Budapest University of Technology and Economics.

Separately, Ceylonic E Rail had to withdraw from this year’s competition. Still, the team plans to take part in 2027.

“Creativity and a passion for railways are core values of our company. The Alpha Trains European Railway Challenge impressively demonstrates the potential of the new generation of railway engineers. As a sponsor of this competition, we want to directly promote young talent who, through creative and practical approaches, will shape the innovative and environmentally friendly rail transport of tomorrow,” said Jörg Hagemeyer, Engineering Director at Alpha Trains.

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