Parker Hannifin's fluid conveyance and connection solutions are widely used throughout the railway sector and are approved by leading international railway manufacturers, including Alstom, CAF, Siemens Mobility, Bombardier Transportation, Stadler, Hitachi Rail, and Talgo. They are used in both newly manufactured rolling stock and maintenance and modernization projects.
This widespread acceptance among railway OEMs demonstrates Parker's ability to meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and reliability required by the industry.
Complete solutions for more reliable railway systems
One of Parker Hannifin's key strengths is its ability to provide complete fluid conveyance solutions. The combination of:
Railway hoses.
Ermeto DIN 2353 fittings.
Quick couplings.
Certified tube clamps.
Enables the design of optimized installations by reducing interfaces between different suppliers while ensuring greater compatibility between components.
For railway manufacturers, system integrators, and operators, this translates into improved operational reliability, lower maintenance costs, and easier regulatory compliance.
The importance of connections in railway systems
Pneumatic, hydraulic, and cooling systems are used in numerous critical functions throughout railway vehicles, including:
Pneumatic braking systems.
Door and ramp actuation.
HVAC systems.
Cooling systems for electronic and power equipment.
Water treatment and sanitary systems.
Pantographs and auxiliary systems.
Onboard hydraulic equipment.
In all these applications, the quality of the connections directly impacts operational safety, energy efficiency, and maintenance costs.
Fluid conveyance hoses: certified reliability for railway applications
Railway hoses must withstand particularly demanding operating conditions, including continuous vibration, dynamic movement, wide temperature ranges, and strict fire safety requirements.
Parker's railway hose range has been specifically developed to meet these challenges and is certified according to internationally recognized standards, including:
EN 45545-2, the European fire protection standard for railway vehicles.
ISO 15540, covering fire resistance testing procedures for components used in fluid systems.
Additional approvals and certifications required by railway manufacturers and operators, including EN 50553.
Thanks to these certifications, Parker hoses can be integrated into critical railway applications with the assurance of meeting the industry's most demanding regulatory requirements.
Key Benefits
Compliance with international railway standards.
Excellent fire resistance and low smoke emission.
High resistance to vibration and mechanical fatigue.
Wide operating temperature range.
Compatibility with hydraulic, pneumatic, and cooling systems.
Availability of solutions approved by leading railway manufacturers.
These features make Parker hoses a preferred solution for braking systems, doors, HVAC, pantographs, auxiliary hydraulic circuits, and onboard cooling systems.
Parker quick couplings: maximum efficiency for maintenance and operation
Parker quick couplings for railway applications have been specifically designed to withstand vibration, contamination, and the harsh environmental conditions typical of railway vehicles. They offer outstanding resistance to vibration and dirt and are certified according to DIN EN 61373 / IEC 61373 for shock and vibration testing.
Their main advantages include:
Quick tool-free connection and disconnection.
Reduced maintenance time.
Excellent resistance to vibration and shock.
Compact design for confined spaces.
Available in nickel-plated brass and stainless steel.
Operating temperatures ranging from -55 °C to +200 °C, depending on the series and sealing material used.
Typical railway applications
Parker quick couplings are commonly used in:
Pneumatic braking circuits.
Electronic cooling systems.
HVAC systems.
Water treatment systems.
Sanitary systems.
Maintenance and testing equipment.
Auxiliary pneumatic applications.
Particularly noteworthy are the Dry-Break series, which minimize fluid loss during disconnection while reducing the risk of system contamination.
Tube clamps: secure mounting in compliance with EN 45545-2
A reliable piping installation depends not only on tubes and fittings. Proper tube clamping is equally important to prevent premature wear, excessive vibration, and structural damage.
Parker railway tube clamps, based on DIN 3015, incorporate flame-retardant materials specifically developed for railway applications and certified according to:
EN 45545-2
DIN 5510-2
BS 6853
UL 94-V0
UNI CEI 11170-2
Their main benefits include:
Flame-retardant materials.
Operating temperatures down to -50 °C.
Available in polypropylene, polyamide, and specialized elastomeric materials.
Reduced vibration and noise.
Protection of hydraulic and pneumatic lines against mechanical wear.
These clamps comply with the HL1, HL2, and HL3 hazard levels defined by EN 45545-2 for different railway operating categories.
Parker Ermeto DIN 2353 fittings: the global standard in hydraulic connections
When discussing tube connections for hydraulic and pneumatic systems, Parker's Ermeto technology is one of the most widely recognized references worldwide.
Manufactured in accordance with ISO 8434-1 / DIN 2353, these fittings provide secure, leak-free connections in high-pressure applications exposed to severe vibration.
Available in carbon steel and stainless steel
The range includes:
Carbon steel fittings with a highly corrosion-resistant surface treatment.
Stainless steel fittings for particularly demanding applications or aggressive environments.
Benefits for the railway industry
Excellent vibration resistance.
Outstanding performance under pressure cycling.
Fast and secure installation.
Reduced risk of leaks.
Wide variety of configurations and geometries.
Compatibility with metric tubing according to international standards.
Thanks to these features, Ermeto fittings are widely used in hydraulic, pneumatic, and cooling systems found in high-speed trains, locomotives, trams, and railway maintenance vehicles.
Conclusion
The safety and availability of railway vehicles largely depend on the quality of their fluid conveyance and connection systems. Parker Hannifin's railway solutions combine mechanical strength, regulatory compliance, ease of maintenance, and long service life, making them a benchmark choice for critical railway applications.
At Bamartec, we help our customers select the most suitable solution for every railway project by providing expert technical support and access to Parker's complete portfolio of fluid conveyance and industrial connection technologies.
Do you need advice for a specific railway application? Our technical team can help you select the most suitable Parker solution for your project.
