While the bogies division has a central role in all UK train-building programmes at the Derby site, the quality of its work means it is also winning a strong reputation internationally.
The concept for the ICx bogies was also piloted out of the Derby office, with Deutsche Bahn being specifically keen to tap into the team's expertise in inboard bearing bogie technology.
Siemens is responsible for the main contract, with Bombardier providing the trailer cars and the bogies.
Innovative flexible frame bogies that can cope with challenging track conditions have been designed by Bombardier's Derby division for London Underground's deep-level Victoria and Northern lines, and for its sub-surface Metropolitan, District, Circle, and Hammersmith and City lines.
Up to now, only the individual underframes and parts of bogies were validated on a test bench, with fatigue tests and tests of other components simulated by computer.
The use of the test bench for complete bogies improves this process by reducing the time needed to ensure product reliability.
By repeating these tests according to standardised, regulated cycles, the physical change in the bogies over time can be determined.
