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

This paper shows the procedure followed to design and manufacture a scaled railroad vehicle to be used in a scaled railroad track for the development and validation of computational 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 future 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 managed from the CAD design to its final assembly.