Development of a new running gear for the Spectrum intermodal vehicle

The European Union (EU) Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) project Spectrum [12] set out to develop a freight vehicle which would facilitate the exploitation of the low density, high value (LDHV) goods market. Key to the performance criteria for the vehicle were: increased speed to enable mixed running with passenger services; improved ride quality to avoid damage to the LDHV goods; and reduced track damage for longevity and sustainability on increasingly stressed infrastructure. This paper presents aspects of the development of a novel running gear arrangement for the Spectrum vehicle, focussing on the dynamic performance of a Vampire vehicle model and the steps to realising stable running. Finally, the estimated performance of the Spectrum vehicle concept is compared against calculations for a conventional freight wagon with respect to curving, vertical track forces and potential savings in track access charges through implementation of Network Rail’s Variable Track Access Charge Calculator. It was found that the novel Spectrum concept could offer savings in Variable Usage Charges of between 8% and 16% compared to the conventional equivalent.