Between 9–12 February 2026, the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, hosted the 13th International Conference on Railway Bogies and Running Gears, the BOGIE’26, organized by the Rolling Stock Department of the Scientific Society for Mechanical Engineering (GTE).
The Conference welcomed approximately 94 participants from 11 countries across Europe and Asia.
During the four-day event, 25 presentations were delivered, covering recent achievements in the design, manufacturing, operation and research of railway bogies and running gears.
The Conference was patronized by leading representatives of the Hungarian and international railway operation and industry, including executives from MÁV Zrt., GYSEV Zrt., BKV Zrt., Stadler Magyarország Kft., Ganz Motor Kft., and CRRC ZELC EUROPE GmbH.
The President of the Conference was Prof. Dr. András Szabó, and the Co-Chairman was Prof. Dr. Lajos Borbás. The International Scientific Committee consisted of distinguished professors from several European and Asian countries.
On the opening day, a special workshop addressed a specific topic within vehicle system dynamics and anomalies, focusing on the challenges of introducing the Digital Automatic Coupler (DAC) in Europe.
The program was complemented by a panel discussion and a laboratory visit. The ceremonial opening took place in the Danube Hall of the BME Central Building.
In the following days, valuable presentations were delivered on topics including:
- multibody dynamic modelling and simulation,
- investigation of wheel–rail contact and wear processes,
- suspension systems, with particular emphasis on rubber–metal spring elements,
- running stability of high-speed vehicles,
- rolling contact fatigue phenomena,
- noise and vibration analysis,
- crack detection and applications of non-destructive testing methods,
- traction and energy management systems.
As part of the professional program, participants visited the vehicle maintenance depot of Metro Line M1 operated by BKV Zrt., where they also took part in a special heritage ride on the 130-year-old vehicle No. 11.
On the final day, further scientific presentations were delivered, followed by the traditional BOGIE’26 cake ceremony, which concluded the Conference. BOGIE’26 once again demonstrated that the development of railway bogies and running gears remains one of the most dynamic research and professional fields of vehicle dynamics, where academic institutions and industrial partners jointly shape and reflect on the technologies of the future.
