Railway

A Railway Sector Governed by Strict Standards

The railway sector leaves no room for compromise when it comes to safety standards, particularly fire performance. The European EN 45545 standard governs the materials used on board trains. Hutchinson has therefore been developing solutions compliant with this standard since 2013, drawing on more than 160 years of expertise in elastomer materials. Its systems cover vibration control and fluid transfer for railway vehicles, while also ensuring reliable sealing around inter-car passages and doors.

Passenger & Freight Trains

Passenger trains prioritise comfort and quiet operation, with secondary suspension systems absorbing track irregularities before they reach the carbody. Hutchinson has, for example, supplied 32 secondary suspension assemblies for the Chennai Metro, strengthening its presence in the Indian railway market.

Freight trains, by contrast, have different priorities, focusing on resistance to heavy loads and material fatigue rather than passenger comfort.

Passenger Metros, Tramways & Infrastructure

Passenger metros and tramways share demanding operating conditions, with frequent stops placing continuous demands on brake hoses and suspension systems. Hutchinson solutions are used, for example, on the MF19 trainsets of the Paris Metro.

Signalling and infrastructure equipment, meanwhile, remains permanently exposed to the elements, unlike rolling stock, which benefits from partial protection. These installations must maintain their sealing integrity and electrical reliability whatever the weather conditions, as any failure could disrupt rail services.