Curtiss-Wright to Supply SBB Swiss Federal Railways with Stabilization Technology for High-Speed Passenger Train

Curtiss-Wright to Supply SBB Swiss Federal Railways with Stabilization Technology for High-Speed Passenger Train
Curtiss-Wright to Supply SBB Swiss Federal Railways with Stabilization Technology for High-Speed Passenger Train
Press release
March 17, 2021

Curtiss-Wright to Supply SBB Swiss Federal Railways with Stabilization Technology for High-Speed Passenger Train

Curtiss-Wright's new modular electromechanical train-tilting stabilization solution lowers life-cycle costs while improving passenger comfort

 

ASHBURN, Va. – March 17, 2021 -- Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division today announced it was selected to provide SBB Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) with a new electromechanical train tilting stabilization system for use with its RABDe 500 ICN high-speed passenger trains.  Under the contract, the Defense Solutions’ facility in Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland will provide its precision stabilization technology to upgrade 32 of SBB’s 44 RABDe 500 ICN high-speed passenger trains currently in operation (with an option to upgrade the remaining 12 trains). Curtiss-Wright’s electromechanical stabilization technology is expected to enable safer, more comfortable, passenger travel and help maintain schedules. The cost-effective modular solution’s highly responsive train tilting capabilities will deliver smoother car body movements that constantly maintain the stability of passenger compartments. Additionally, the upgraded stabilization system will allow trains to maintaining higher speeds around curves on existing railways, without sacrificing safety or passenger comfort, resulting in reduced travel time to ensure trains stay on schedule.

"We are very pleased that SBB Swiss Federal Railways has selected our electromechanical stabilization technology to modernize their RABDe 500 ICN Intercity Tilting Train passenger train fleet,” said Chris Wiltsey, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions. “Our flexible modular approach to high precision electromechanical stabilization delivers a cost-effective method for upgrading legacy train tilting systems by enabling individual hardware components to be replaced or upgraded as needed, instead of replacing the entire system.”

The RABDe 500 ICN upgraded tilting system will include the latest advances in motion control and inertial stabilization technology while meeting the latest safety standards. In addition to providing the stabilization system hardware and software, including the coach tilting drives and controllers, train tilting computers, pantograph tilting drives, power electronics, and pantograph tilting system, Curtiss-Wright will also develop the required processes and procedures in accordance with the SIL2 (Safety Integrity Level) standard.

Curtiss-Wright is an industry-leading supplier of electromechanical and electrohydraulic stabilization products that provide advanced motion control for defense and industrial customers. These solutions are used in demanding applications around the world, including military ground vehicles, high-speed trains, camera crane rigs, specialty lift applications, and theme park rides. Under the contract, development is currently underway, with the first prototype solution scheduled for delivery in mid-2022. Following approval and system review by SBB, shipments of operational systems are scheduled to begin in 2023 and run through 2029.

Curtiss-Wright is manufacturing the products covered by this agreement at its Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland facility. The products will be shipped to SBB Swiss Federal Railways in Switzerland.

 

About Curtiss-Wright Corporation

Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) is a global innovative company that delivers highly engineered, critical function products and services to the commercial, industrial, defense and energy markets. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright has a long tradition of providing reliable solutions through trusted customer relationships. The company is headquartered in Davidson, N.C., and employs approximately 8,200 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com.

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John Wranovics

John Wranovics

Director of Public Relations

John Wranovics has over thirty years of experience in managing media relations and the promotion of high technology products. He has been with Curtiss-Wright since 2003. He has a degree in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley.