What is the primary purpose of the EN 16207 standard?

The primary purpose of EN 16207 is to define the functional, performance, and testing requirements for magnetic track brake systems used in railway rolling stock. It aims to ensure these systems are safe, reliable, and interoperable across different European railway networks.

How does a magnetic track brake (MTB) work?

A magnetic track brake works by lowering a powerful electromagnet onto the steel rail. When energized, the magnet creates a strong magnetic attraction to the rail, generating a frictional braking force. This force is independent of the grip (adhesion) between the wheels and the rail, making it highly effective in emergency situations or on slippery tracks.

Is a magnetic track brake considered a primary braking system?

Generally, no. In most mainline and high-speed applications, the magnetic track brake is a supplementary braking system, used in conjunction with the primary service brakes (like disc or tread brakes) during an emergency. However, in some tramway and light rail applications, it can be designated as a primary emergency brake.

Why is EN 16207 important for railway interoperability?

EN 16207 is crucial for interoperability because it harmonizes the technical and safety standards for magnetic track brakes across Europe. This ensures that a train certified in one country can operate safely in another, as its critical braking components meet a commonly accepted and understood set of performance criteria, which is a key requirement of the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs).

EN 16207: Why Europe’s New Brake Standard Matters for Rail

EN 16207: the standard guaranteeing magnetic track brake safety, reliability, and interoperability for railways. Essential for robust emergency braking and enhanced network security.

December 15, 2024 2:02 am

Understanding EN 16207: Functional and Performance Criteria for Magnetic Track Brake Systems

EN 16207 is a European Standard that specifies the functional and performance requirements for magnetic track brake (MTB) systems used in railway rolling stock. The standard’s primary objective is to ensure the safety, reliability, and interoperability of these crucial braking components across different railway networks and vehicle types.

A magnetic track brake is a supplementary braking device that operates independently of the wheel-rail adhesion. It generates braking force by creating a strong magnetic field between an electromagnet and the steel rail, providing significant deceleration capability, especially during emergency braking scenarios where conventional friction brakes may be limited by wheel slide.

Scope and Importance of the Standard

The scope of EN 16207 covers the design, construction, testing, and performance validation of complete magnetic track brake systems. This includes the electromagnets, suspension gear, actuation mechanisms, and control interfaces. The standard is vital for:

Manufacturers: Providing a clear framework for designing and producing compliant and safe MTB systems.
Rolling Stock Operators: Ensuring that the braking systems on their vehicles meet established safety and performance benchmarks.
Approval Bodies: Offering a definitive set of criteria for the homologation and certification of new or modified rolling stock.
Interoperability: Facilitating the seamless operation of trains across national borders by harmonizing technical requirements, a key principle of the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSIs).

Key Technical Aspects Defined by EN 16207

EN 16207 delves into specific technical details to ensure every aspect of the MTB system is robust and reliable. These requirements can be broken down into several core areas.

1. System Design and Construction

The standard outlines critical requirements for the physical components of the MTB system. This includes specifications for materials, mechanical strength, and resistance to environmental factors.

Electromagnets: Requirements cover the coil windings, magnetic core materials, and housing. The design must ensure consistent magnetic flux generation and withstand the significant mechanical and thermal stresses experienced during operation.
Suspension and Actuation: The mechanism for lowering (deploying) and raising (retracting) the brake magnets is critical. EN 16207 specifies criteria for pneumatic, hydraulic, or electro-mechanical actuators, including their response times and fail-safe behavior (e.g., retracting in case of power loss).
Environmental Resilience: The system must be designed to operate reliably across a wide range of environmental conditions, including temperature extremes, humidity, ice, snow, and exposure to ballast impacts and vibrations.

2. Functional and Performance Criteria

This is the core of the standard, defining ‘how well’ the brake must perform. It sets quantifiable targets that systems must meet during type testing.

Braking Force: The standard specifies the minimum braking force the MTB must generate as a function of the vehicle’s speed. This force is a critical parameter for calculating overall vehicle stopping distances.
Response Times: Clear time limits are set for the deployment and retraction of the brake. This includes the time from the command signal to the magnets making full contact with the rail and generating the required braking force.
Thermal Capacity: During braking, the magnets and rails generate immense heat. EN 16207 defines requirements for the system’s ability to withstand and dissipate this heat without performance degradation or damage over repeated applications.
Control System Integration: The standard mandates how the MTB control system must integrate with the train’s overall braking control system (e.g., the Emergency Brake Control). It ensures predictable and safe activation logic.

3. Testing and Validation

To verify compliance, EN 16207 prescribes a rigorous series of tests that must be successfully completed.

Type Tests: Performed on a new design to validate its performance against all requirements of the standard. This includes static force measurements, dynamic braking tests on a test track, and endurance tests.
Routine Tests: Simpler tests performed on every manufactured unit to ensure consistent quality and performance, verifying aspects like electrical resistance and actuator functionality.
Dynamic Testing: Involves installing the system on a test vehicle and performing a series of controlled stops from various speeds to measure the actual braking force and its effect on deceleration.

Comparison of Magnetic Track Brake Types

While EN 16207 applies broadly, MTB designs differ based on their intended application, primarily between high-speed mainline vehicles and lower-speed urban or tramway vehicles.

Feature	High-Speed Articulated MTB	Low-Speed (Tramway/LRV) MTB
Primary Application	Mainline passenger trains, high-speed trains. Used for emergency and supplementary braking.	Trams, Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs), and Metros. Often used as a primary emergency brake.
Design Principle	Often features multiple articulated magnet segments to maintain better contact with the rail over track imperfections and turnouts at high speed.	Typically a single, rigid magnet pole shoe per bogie. Design is simpler and more robust for urban environments.
Braking Force Profile	Optimized for high-energy dissipation from high speeds. Braking force is high and must be consistent across a wide speed range.	Designed for maximum holding force at lower speeds to prevent collisions in dense urban traffic.
Actuation & Suspension	Complex suspension to manage high vertical and longitudinal forces. Usually pneumatically actuated.	Simpler, more direct suspension. Can be spring-applied and electromagnetically held off, or electromagnetically applied.
Key EN 16207 Consideration	Endurance testing, thermal capacity, and performance consistency at speeds over 160 km/h.	Reliability over a high number of activation cycles and performance in contaminated track conditions (e.g., leaves, grease).

Conclusion: The Role of EN 16207 in Enhancing Railway Safety

EN 16207 is more than just a technical document; it is a cornerstone of modern railway braking safety. By establishing a unified and demanding set of criteria for magnetic track brake systems, it ensures a high and consistent level of safety performance. The standard guarantees that these adhesion-independent systems can be relied upon during critical emergency situations, significantly reducing stopping distances and mitigating the risk of accidents, especially in adverse weather conditions. For engineers, operators, and regulators, compliance with EN 16207 is a non-negotiable step in the pursuit of a safer and more reliable railway network.