Dynamic testing on the Coradia Polyvalent begins

[John Ashworth]

Alstom begins dynamic testing on the Coradia Polyvalent

17/07/12 Breaking Travel News

Alstom has begun its dynamic test campaign on the Coradia Polyvalent - the latest addition to its range of regional trains. The tests are taking place at the Vélim test centre in the Czech Republic and, in France, at the Railway Testing Centres (CEF) at Valenciennes and Bar-le-Duc and on a section of the RFF line between Wissembourg and Hoffen.

Approximately 50 engineers and specialist technicians from Alstom will be relayed on board ten pre-series Coradia Polyvalent trains until early 2013 in order to carry out the work needed to meet 3,000 contractual requirements.

The certifications and approvals required to obtain the EPSF’s1 authorisation to operate will involve 10 regional trains undertaking a total of 1,400 days of testing and will directly or indirectly engage up to 200 people from 20 different bodies (Alstom’s own sites, suppliers, test centres, drivers, etc.). The campaign will eventually generate 1,500 documents, including test specifications, procedures and reports.

Three trains have been operating at Vélim since late April; the site, which belongs to the Czech Railways Research Institute, boasts two independent circuits:

a 4 km circuit with a maximum authorised speed of 90 km/h,
a 13 km circuit with a maximum authorised speed of 210 km/h.