On the design of a scaled railroad vehicle for the validation of computational models

Abstract

This paper shows the procedure followed to design and manufacture a scaled railroad ve- hicle to be used in a scaled railroad track for the development and validation of compu- tational models. The purpose of this work is to address the background experienced by the authors from the ideal concept to the assembly one, and serve as a guideline for fu- ture railroad prototype designs. This specific vehicle, in which different inertial, guiding, recording and monitoring devices are installed, is mainly designed to be used in a 5-in. gauge railroad track for the validation of computational models and, as much as possible, designed with physical similarity with respect to a real railroad vehicle. The commitment between the imperative design requirements and the desired dynamic behavior is man- aged from the CAD design to its final assembly.