InnoTrans 2016, a meeting concerning night trains. Unspecified train producer, unspecified end customer. In 2017 a first actual RFQ arrives for a project of seats for ÖBB Day and Night Trains, a second generation of the successful Railjet brand. Year 2019 brings decision about the coaches’ producer, BORCAD is selected to be the supplier of seats. For the first time, we are in the role of pure “supplier” of seats, without any development.
The external design concept from PriestmannGoode is astonishing, but the actual development of internal design with regards to requirements of the train producer is sharply contrasting with initial assumptions – it is necessary and time-consuming. In the end, the development stage takes following two years and in 2021 first seats for Night Trains are delivered. First ÖBB Nightjet trains enter operations in December 2023. In April 2024 start regular operations of first Railjet NextGen trainsets. This is a significant premiere for BORCAD – for the first time we were not working on external design of seat which we subsequently produced. Our task was to materialize the visions of ÖBB and PriestmannGoode into a physical seat compliant with requirements of the train producer (Siemens).
As it sometimes happens, these requirements (for dimensions, compliance with standards, materials, weight, life cycle) were not fully taken into account at the beginning of the process, and therefore the product development for DANI (abbreviation of Day and Night Train) was demanding and long. However, we are proud that the result is as close as possible to original design idea, and it is necessary to appreciate all partners involved in this project (Siemens, ÖBB and PriestmannGoode) for their cooperation, endurance, and also communication ability in hard moments. Mock-up of the first-class seating with the table between seats will be exhibited in our booth at InnoTrans 2024.
