From innovative design to precision engineering, FH Aachen’s FH2Rail team made waves at this year’s Alpha Trains European Railway Challenge—taking home second place and winning hearts with their newest locomotive, Carla.
With a strong track record from past competitions and a brand-new driver’s cab concept, the team didn’t just show up—they delivered. Competing against other university teams, FH2Rail impressed the jury with outstanding performance in the Design, Maintainability, and Innovation Challenges, proving once again that they are a promising next generation of railway engineers.
Key facts
- About the event:
The event is made possible by Alpha Trains, Stadler Rail Group, the VDB, and DMG; Check the website;
- The challenge:
Develop, build and test a locomotive with a team of 5-15 students/young professionals for 10,25″ (260 mm) gauge railway;
- Our team – Fh2Rail
The FH2Rail team represents the Fachhochschule / FH Aachen and are the winners of 2019 and 2022;
Proud partners of team fh2rail:
- The locomotive
Carla was introduced in 2024—a powerful, efficient locomotive featuring a seated driver position. Special are its NEPOMUK bogies, Carla offers a compact, innovative platform for students to explore real-world railway engineering challenges;
Technical outlines:
- Wheel set load <= 500 kg;
- Vehicle mass <= 2000 kg;
- Maximum velocity = 15 km/h;
- Minimum train weight > 1800 kg;
- Maximum track gradient 1.2%;
Ready set go!
Over the weekend of June 13–15, the locomotives were put to the test in Bad Schussenried, Germany. Each team earned points in a series of challenges, including Energy Recovery, Ride Comfort, Traction, and Innovation, among others.
Building on the success of their previous locomotives Emma and Molly, the FH2Rail team raised the bar once again with Carla. She’s the first in their series to feature a fully integrated driver’s cab, offering a realistic operating environment on a 1:5 scale. Its NEPOMUK bogies delivered impressive traction efficiency and smooth ride dynamics. Carla won the Design Challenge and Maintainability Challenge. Overall, Team FH2Rail took the well-earned second place this year.
Carla will soon compete in the IMechE Railway Challenge in the UK;
Proud partners of team fh2rail:
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