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The railway industry moves people and goods every day — reliably, efficiently, and often under extreme mechanical and environmental conditions. Whether in freight locomotives, commuter trains, or special rail-bound equipment, transmission systems must deliver uninterrupted performance, safety, and longevity.
At OHP Service, we focus on one essential component of that system: powertrain transmission through heavy-duty cardan shafts. This blog will be our space to share insights, project experiences, and technical knowledge from our ongoing work in the railway sector — where every connection counts.
A Strong Foundation: Our Own Engineering Department
Railway projects are complex. They involve multiple stakeholders, regulatory requirements, limited space, and often, tight integration within long-standing legacy systems. That's why we don't believe in standard catalog answers.
With our own fully integrated engineering department, OHP Service is able to:
- Analyze the mechanical needs of each rail application
- Work directly with your design and maintenance teams
- Propose solutions that are technically, operationally, and economically sound
Our engineers are involved in every phase — from early feasibility and layout reviews to system optimization and lifetime support. Having this capability in-house means we can act fast, adapt precisely, and take full responsibility for the performance of every shaft we supply.
Tailored Solutions for Each Rail System
Railway applications are as diverse as the terrains they travel. High-speed passenger trains require lightweight and low-vibration shafts. Freight locomotives demand rugged, torque-resistant components that can handle extreme loads. Shunting vehicles or special-purpose rolling stock may operate under frequent start/stop cycles and tight curve radii.
Our approach is always tailor-made — taking into account not only the torque and speed requirements, but also:
- Installation constraints (space, alignment, articulation angles)
- Fatigue behavior and dynamic balancing
- Compatibility with existing drivetrain and bogie architectures
- Service and maintenance accessibility
No matter the configuration, our mission is the same: to maximize performance, reliability, and lifetime value of your power transmission system.
From Design to Delivery — With Full Technical Commitment
OHP Service is not a transactional supplier. We work as a technical partner from day one, participating in design reviews, evaluating integration risks, and validating concepts long before components are built.
Once the solution is defined, we manage the full scope of:
- Custom design and simulation
- Prototyping and pre-series production
- Technical documentation and quality assurance
- Field validation and long-term support
We also support retrofit and modernization projects, helping rail operators extend the life of existing fleets with updated, high-performance shaft systems.
Advanced Analysis for Real-World Results
In railway, every vibration, temperature shift, and fatigue cycle matters. That’s why we invest heavily in prototyping and testing capabilities to simulate and evaluate shaft performance in real conditions.
Our engineering process includes:
- Dynamic balancing and torsional behavior analysis
- Finite Element Modeling of fatigue-prone areas
- Joint articulation studies under multi-axial load scenarios
- Failure diagnosis and predictive maintenance strategies
This enables us to deliver shafts that are not just durable, but optimized for every kilometer they’ll travel.
What You’ll Find in This Blog
In the posts to come, we’ll cover:
- Field experiences and project stories in different rail systems
- Common problems and how we’ve solved them
- Engineering tips for integration and long-term performance
- News and insights from our workshop and service activities
On Track Together
Rail is one of the most sustainable and efficient transport systems in the world. Our role is to make sure its mechanical heart — the transmission system — performs flawlessly, mile after mile.
Welcome to the OHP Railway blog. Let’s keep the world moving, together.