1141. Progress in the Development of Aluminum Rail Vehicles

Paper

Abstract

After a brief outline of the historical background of aluminum light-weight construction throughout the world particular consideration will be given to achievements with aluminum railway vehicles in Western Germany. Then a detailed report will be presented on the methods used to overcome the difficulties encountered in the use of aluminum.
The goal of light-weight construction will be defined with request to different applications. The question of why the use aluminum is obligatory will be considered by a presentation of the advantages and disadvantages inherent in aluminum, and a comparison of aluminum and steel body construction with regard to weight.
The latest stage of development will be shown on the vehicles now in use on the underground (‘U-Bahn’) and suburban service (‘S-Bahn’) as well as on the prototype of a new commuter car for DB (German Federal Railways).
The search for further possibilities of weight-savings and more economic production of lightweight rolling stock must be aligned to the technical and operational requirements prevailing in future rail transportation.
The limits of aluminum light-weight construction especially from the economic point of view and the possibilities of extending them will be dealt with.