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Automatic gauge changing for freight. The OGI project

• On-track tests

It is mandatory to test at least four different variable gauge wheelsets for the on-track and
inservice tests which means that two-axle wagons are not admitted. In the OGI project, as we
have seen before, a bogie Y-21 Sgnss wagon series was equipped with four 920 mm wheelsets
and a Laaers wagon series (composed by two half-wagons) was equipped with four 760 mm
wheelsets.

On-track tests consisted in 500 automatic gauge changeover processes run without inspection
at the nominal passage speed and under the intended operational conditions. In the end of
these tests the locking system had to be checked in terms of back-to-back dimensions, forces
during automatic gauge changeover process and measurements of wear of components. These
tests are called "on-track" tests in the ETH regulation. Once these "on-track" tests were success-
fully finished, "in-service" tests were allowed to be performed.
• In-service tests to validate the system in operational and real conditions
In-service tests may cover the following distances in three different phases:

- Phase I: 50.000km in 1668 mm or in 1435 mm track gauge. No automatic gauge chan-
geover processes are allowed in this phase.
- Phase II: 50.000km in both 1435 mm and 1668 mm track gauges (at least a 20% of
this distance may be covered in any of the track gauges). In this phase 50 automatic
gauge changeover processes will be performed.
- Phase III: 150.000km in both 1435 mm and 1668 mm track gauges gauges (not less
than 25% of this distance will be covered in any of the track gauges).

If results of phase III are positive, the technical approval will be extended to the variable gauge
system. However, It exists a phase IV one 400.000km or 4 years have passed since the start of
in-service tests. By the end of this phase IV, the technical approval of the system may be ex-
tended without any limitations

2.3.2 The OGI changeover facility
The changeover facility consists of a platform whose components may be classified in three
different groups:

Table 2. Components of the OGI changeover facility

Group • Elements
• Structural concrete
Foundations • Steel anchor plates
• Plastic pods (for rail screws)
• Base plates
Track and guided • Rails
components • Check-rails
• Check-rails bearings
Unlocking system • Unlocking central bearings

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