Comprehensive support for railway test campaigns — from infrastructure and rolling stock perspectives. Covering test programme design, coordination, logistics, and results verification.
Efios Rail provides support and executive services across the full spectrum of railway test activities — both from an infrastructure perspective and a rolling stock perspective. Our work covers everything from defining the test campaign structure to delivering verified results to the client and all stakeholders.
The essence of a test campaign is that the entire test programme, as part of the verification and validation process, meets the requirements of the end customer. We always start with the definition of technical and functional objectives — together with the client and the test organisation.
Test campaigns in the railway sector are often costly — accounting for up to 30% of total project cost — and involve complex logistics, regulatory requirements, and multi-stakeholder coordination. Our structured methodology manages risk, time, and cost from the outset.
Efios Rail operates across both infrastructure (track, power supply, signalling, civil) and rolling stock (trains, EVCs, onboard systems) test perspectives — covering integration tests, EMC testing, and operational readiness assessments.
| Capability | Description | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| General Test Management | Developing, designing, and guiding test programmes based on testing requirements or functional specifications | Test strategy, test plan |
| Test Campaign Setup | Defining technical and functional objectives with the client; structuring the V&V programme | Campaign scope, objectives document |
| Master Test Plan | Establishing scope, boundaries, stakeholder structures, testing methodology, and quality control | Master Test Plan document |
| Test Planning | High-level milestone planning from start to results delivery, accounting for long lead items and critical dependencies | Test schedule, milestone tracker |
| Test Coordination | Logistics operations, track occupancy, resource scheduling, and real-time test execution monitoring | Logistics Operations document, daily updates |
| Resource Management | Planning test specialists, train drivers, rolling stock, safety crew, coordinators, and engineers | Resource plan, allocation schedule |
| Results Analysis | Reviewing pass/fail records, assessing re-test requirements, and producing final results documentation | Test results report, V&V matrix |
| Supporting Processes | Configuration management, change management, incident management, infrastructure management, data management | Process documentation, registers |
| Quality Assurance | Continuous evaluation of the test process; lessons learned and campaign improvement | QA reports, improvement log |
Our test campaigns follow a structured lifecycle — from objective-setting to final results delivery — with controlled interfaces between each stage.
Technical and functional objectives are defined with the client and stakeholders. Scope boundaries are established, including regulatory and safety requirements.
The Test Manager produces a Master Test Plan covering scope, methodology, stakeholder roles, quality control, risk register, and high-level planning.
Detailed scheduling aligned to long lead items: infrastructure possessions, rolling stock availability, certificates, and planned software updates.
Configuration management, change management, incident management, infrastructure management, and data management processes are established.
The Test Coordinator manages logistics, monitors progress, adjusts the programme as needed, and maintains daily oversight of all test activities.
Interim and final results are reviewed for pass/fail status, re-test requirements are identified, and final test results are delivered to the client and all stakeholders.
Every test campaign begins with a clear definition of requirements. These may come from several sources:
Many technical and functional requirements already exist based on established standards and specifications.
National Safety Authorities may impose additional rules beyond baseline standards, particularly for infrastructure admission.
For operational testing, functional requirements are defined by Traffic Control, Safety Authority, Infrastructure Manager, and Train Operating Companies.
Risk, time, cost — and sometimes political context — form the business reality within which every test campaign must operate.
The Master Test Plan is the foundation of every test campaign. It allows the Test Manager to plan, control, and translate client requirements into a structured, tangible campaign.
Led the complete test programme for NS International's Fyra V250 high-speed train, covering domestic and international route preparation and commercial service admission.
Verification and Validation of superstructure and infrastructure on behalf of the Ministry of Public Works, including train-track integration tests and EMC testing with multiple EVCs.
Supervised the Signalling and Control component of the new CAF M7 metro rolling stock for the Amsterdam metro network.
Part of the ERTMS V&V team, working with the infrastructure provider, train operating companies, and other stakeholders to develop, plan, and execute the complex V&V programme — including simulation and in situ testing — for the national ERTMS rollout.
Whether you are starting a new test programme or need to improve an ongoing one, Efios Rail can provide the structure and expertise to deliver results.