Loksimulator.ch

Foto: © Jürg Suter/DESM

Preparation work – 22.04.2022 – 

• Dismantling of all instruments, dials and handles from the cab no II
• Preparation work to cut the cab off the rest of the locomotive torso

cutting off of the cab and transport to altenrhein – 14.06.2022

• Cutting off of cabs no I und II
  
• Transport of cab no II to Altenrhein (Fliegermuseum Altenrhein)
  
• Onward transport of cab no I to the homebase of our partner project DESM
  

Re-furnishing and outfitting of the simulator – until approx. spring 2024

• Refurnishing of all instruments and handles taken from the cab before the cut
  
• Installation work for the connection of the simulation hardware
  
• Installation of a working vacuum and air pressure circuit
• Programming and installation of the A/D-D/A interfaces
• Electronic wiring of all the cab components with the computer interfaces
• Installation of the visual (computer generated outside view)
• Installation of the sound equipment

test runs – approx. spring 2024

• We plan to be able to do test runs in late spring 2024
• As soon as everything is set up fine, we will officially inaugurate the simulator together with all our sponsors and supporters

first simulator operation – approx. as of autumn 2024

• Simulator ready for rides on certain days (schedule will be published)

Final goal is the operation of the simulator in the Fliegermuseum Altenrhein. Interested railfans and visitors should get the chance to drive the simulator on several RhB lines under the watchful eye of an instructor, paying a financial contribution towards the operating and financial costs.

As a further milestone, we are currently considering putting the whole cab on a motion platform, lifting the simulator experience to a next level.

Fliegermuseum altenrhein (FMA)

Fliegermuseum Altenrhein (FMA) is a flying aviation museum located at the airport St. Gallen-Altenrhein (LSZR) in northeastern Switzerland. The museum focuses on the display and operation of historic and vintage aircraft, especially types formerly operated by the Swiss Air Force. These aircraft are used for public display at airshows, and operated on passenger flights for members of the museum.

Thanks to a number of former Swiss Air Force pilots working there voluntarily, Fliegermuseum Altenrhein has become a competence center for operation and maintenance of these aircraft, as well as the training of new pilots on these types, be it basic training or specialized training for formation flight or airshow display routines.

Apart from that, the museum operation features several display teams which present the aircraft on Swiss and European airshows, among them the SUBITO Team (flying on Pilatus PC-7 air force trainers) and the Patrouille Papillon (on historic Pilatus P-3 trainers).

The FMA kindly provides us space in their aircraft hangars for display and operation of the simulator.

DYNAMISCHES Eisenbahn System modell (DESM)

The association Verein DESM performs scientific research on complex problems within the railroad system. To achieve this, DESM owns a growing laboratory with several loco and switch tower simulators.

In the light of a constantly higher level of automation of railroad processes, simulators often are the only instruments for scientific research of non-quantitative factors influencing factors.

DESM pursues the goal of developing an integrated simulation instrumentary to gain insights and do research on complex problems as well as human performance and man-machine interface issues.

Verein DESM collaborates with our project in the fields of logistics, simulator technology, visualizing the outside views, and analogue/digital interfaces. We are glad to share the knowledge with this association well respected for their longterm experience in construction and operation of loco simulators.

Rhätische bahn (RhB) / Rhaetian railways

With more than 1 600 employees, Rhätische Bahn / Rhaetian Railways (RhB) offers railroad services to around 12 million passengers each year.

The 385 kilometer long narrow gauge route network in southeastern Switzerland offers many stunning figures: it is divided into 9 major lines, and serving 103 stations. A third of the whole network is located above 1 500m above sea level in alpine regions. A third of the route has been declared UNESCO world heritage due to the marvelous engineering and the breathtaking views the route offers. And 20% of the whole railway track system is located on or in artificial structures, like tunnels, bridges or dams.

With regional and freight trains as well as the auto shuttle trains through 19km long Vereina tunnel, RhB provides reliable and high quality transportation within the Grisons district (Kanton Graubünden). With the panoramic express trains Bernina Express and Glacier Express as well as the UNESCO world heritage "Rhaetian Railways in the Albula/Bernina Pass region", RhB owns brands worldwide known and appreciated. These brands are carefully promoted in cooperation with tourism partners of RhB.

RhB has kindly provided us the cab no. 2 of locomotive 703, and supported our effort to cut off the cab with logistics and manpower support.

Vögele Recycling

Vögele Recycling AG in Chur specializes on disposal of nearly every material available and is your reliable partner when it comes to recycling and dumper trucks.

Vögele Recycling kindly helped us cutting off the cab and load it onto our special truck on their premises in Chur.

REGATRON AG

REGATRON AG in Rorschach, Switzerland, has been founded in 1969 and is an internationally accepted, expanding company in the field of electronic engineering..

REGATRON develops, produces and distributes technologically advanced power supply solutions as well as products in the fields of power electronics and drive technology. Regatron is a family owned and lead company, and employs 170 professionals and 10 apprentices.

REGATRON is a specialized engineering company with solid and comprehensive expertise in developing, manufacturing and sales of programmable power supplies. REGATRON’s continuous focus on power electronics has led to a well established and field-proven portfolio of programmable DC and AC power sources. All over the world, REGATRON power supplies are used in laboratories, test fields and production lines for simulation, testing, development and research purposes or in various process technologies as voltage / current sources.

REGATRON AG kindly supports our electronic engineering needs with professional manpower from their engineering and production segments, and with material needed for our many interfaces between the 1950s analog technology of the locomotive cab and the 2020s digital technology of our computer environment.

stocker netzbau

Stocker Netzbau offers the following tasks::

• installation of power cables
  
• installation of overhead power transmission lines
  
• power metering
  
• electrical installations in houses
  
• lighting installations
  
• planning and construction of electrical distribution panels and power switching stations
  
• works and installations with fiber-optic cables
  
• installation of sports grounds and stadium lighting
  
• installation of snow cannons
• trucking on connection with crane works
  

Stocker Netzbau kindly supported the transport of our cab from Chur to Altenrhein with manpower, trucks, crane, material and logistics.

Rivet Games / Thomson interactive

The two Scottish software producers Rivet Games and Thomson Interactive produce high quality Add-ons for the market leading software in the range of train simulators, "Train Simulator 202x". They have programmed several lines and rolling stock add-ons of Rhaetian Railways for Train Simulator 202x as well as Train Sim World in a very realistic manner. Among these is the realistic simulation of the Ge 6/6 II, our locomotive.

Both companies kindly have sponsored software add-ons (RhB routes, rolling stock) for our simulator.

further sponsors

We are anytime happy to welcome further sponsors on board!