Railway Laboratory

What Railway Laboratory does

Railway Laboratory — operating legally as Eisenbahnbetriebslabor Schweiz AG (EBL-Schweiz) — is a privately held Swiss Aktiengesellschaft headquartered at Überlandstrasse 271, 8600 Dübendorf, on the military grounds of Dübendorf airfield (Air Force Center). Founded in 2020, the company was created by merging two historical model-railway associations and consolidating their facilities onto a single site following SBB's 2018 decision to decommission the original Betriebsanlage training facility at Löwenberg (Murten), which had operated since 1983. As of the most recent headcount signal the company has 6 employees.

The company's core offering is a Switzerland-wide unique physical railway operations laboratory consisting of two complementary model-railway installations: the Laboranlage, a H0 two-wire system at 1:87 with overhead catenary, ~1,000m of model track, ~32km of simulated track, ~120 main/approach and dwarf signals, ~140 switches and ETCS new-line sections; and the Betriebsanlage, a Märklin three-wire system at 1:100 with 750m of model track, ~24km of simulated track, 91 main/pre-signals, 109 fully automatic switches, and 30+ locomotives/7 train sets. Both facilities integrate original-generations signal boxes (Bruchsal J, Integra Schalterwerk, Domino 55/67/69), real ESU digital control systems, Dutch-originated modellstellwerk simulation software, GPS-based train location, and a suite of simulators (opentrack, Viriato, infralife) covering timetabling, asset management, and cyber-security testing. A Virtual Reality layer using head-mounted displays and BIM models allows immersive process planning and pre-implementation testing. Technology partnerships include Hitachi Rail and ErvoCom, and the March 2026 capital raise explicitly funds ETCS Level 2 expansion.

Revenue is generated from five streams: paid open-day admissions (CHF 15 per person), sponsored one-day training courses (Cyber Security Resilienz in der Bahnwelt, Resilienz/team), multi-tier corporate sponsorship (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze), project- or long-term lab usage by universities and industry partners, and equity capital contributions (e.g., the March 2026 capital increase of 296 shares at CHF 500 nominal). Primary customer segments are Swiss universities and technical schools (research projects, bachelor/master theses), railway-industry professionals and operators (signal box, dispatcher and driver training), railway industry partners (joint R&D, software testing), and the general public via open days. The company is supported by a Förderverein (support association) and a network of institutional partners including EKZ and RUBI (Platinum sponsors), Rhomberg-Sersa (Gold), Switzerland Innovation Park Zurich, and Air Force Center Dübendorf.

Name

Railway Laboratory

Legal name

Eisenbahnbetriebslabor Schweiz AG

Website

https://ebl-schweiz.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Railway Laboratory (Eisenbahnbetriebslabor Schweiz AG) operates a Switzerland-unique model-railway laboratory in Dübendorf, combining two physical facilities (Betriebsanlage and Laboranlage) with BIM, VR, and digital signalling simulation to deliver hands-on railway operations training, R&D testbed services, and public events for universities, rail-industry partners, and the general public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Railway Training & Simulation Services

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Rail Signaling & Train Control Infrastructure (Interlockings, ETCS/CBTC Wayside) (TLAJADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rail Maintenance-of-Way & Possession/Work Window Coordination (Operational Control) (TLAJAEAI), Automatic Train Operation (ATO) Supervision & Regulation (TLAJAEAD), Rail SCADA & Power/Electrification Control (Traction Power, Substations, OCS) (TLAJAEAF)

Keywords

• Railway operations training
• Model railway simulation
• Railway research laboratory
• Signal box simulation
• Railway cyber security

Headquarters

HQ city

Dübendorf

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Training Courses and Seminars: The company offers paid training courses and day seminars on topics such as Cyber Security Resilienz in the railway world and Team Resilience. Courses can be booked by individuals or organizations, with no prior knowledge required for some courses.
2. Event Admissions: Public events such as open days (Tag der offenen Türen) charge admission fees (CHF 15 per person) for visitors to experience the railway laboratory facilities.
3. Sponsorship Programs: Multi-tiered sponsorship program (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) providing sponsors with visibility at events and courses, direct access to railway professionals and future talent, and involvement in educational projects.
4. Capital Increase: The company recently launched a capital increase offering 296 registered shares at CHF 500 nominal each (total CHF 148,000) to support consolidation of facilities, ETCS Level 2 expansion, simulator upgrades, and installation of simulated faults for training.
5. Lab Usage and Research Projects: The laboratory can be used on a project basis or long-term for specific requirements. Universities, industrial partners, and project teams can access the facility for research and development purposes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Eisenbahnbetriebslabor Schweiz AG operates a Switzerland-wide unique railway operations laboratory with two operational model railway facilities (Laboranlage and Betriebsanlage), original signal boxes, and digital control systems. The company provides realistic railway simulation, hands-on training for train traffic controllers, train drivers, and track safety personnel, Virtual Reality and BIM-based process testing, professional development courses on cyber security and team resilience, and access for university research and industry partner technology testing.

Product overview

Eisenbahnbetriebslabor Schweiz AG (EBL) operates a unique railway laboratory and research center in Dübendorf, Switzerland, offering real-life simulation, research, and education for safe railway infrastructure. The facility consists of two core installations: the Laboranlage (model railway laboratory with H0 scale tracks at 1:100 ratio, 24km track length, 109 switches, and multiple original signal boxes) and the Betriebsanlage (operational facility with H0 track at 1:87 scale, 32km simulated track, and GPS-based train location). Supporting these are Simulation & Virtual Reality systems using VR headsets and BIM modeling, an Originalteile-Sammlung of authentic railway components, and modern Schul- & Eventräume for training events. Educational offerings include professional development courses such as Cyber Security Resilienz in der Bahnwelt and Resilienz – was Ihr Team stark macht. The modular architecture allows flexible use for universities, industry partners, and project teams requiring real-time railway process simulation and training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Laboranlage (Model Railway Laboratory)
• Betriebsanlage (Operational Model Railway Facility)
• Simulation & Virtual Reality
• Schul- & Eventräume (Training and Event Spaces)
• Originalteile-Sammlung (Authentic Railway Components Collection)
• Cyber Security Resilienz in der Bahnwelt (Training Course)
• Resilienz – was Ihr Team stark macht (Team Resilience Training Course)

Quantifiable outcome

• Two fully operational model railway facilities with combined track length exceeding 50km at scale
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered historical, core, secondary and minor.

• SBB Ausbildungszentrum (Historical)historicalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Historical partner - original location of Betriebsanlage was at SBB training center in Löwenberg (Murten) since 1983. SBB donated equipment when the facility was decommissioned in 2018.
• Elektrizitätswerke des Kantons Zürich (EKZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum sponsor providing support for the railway laboratory operations and educational programs. EKZ is a major Swiss electricity utility with interest in sustainable mobility and railway infrastructure.
• RUBI (Regionalverkehr Bern-Solothurg area)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum sponsor and regional railway operator supporting the laboratory's educational mission.
• Rhomberg-SersacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold sponsor - railway construction and infrastructure company with strategic interest in railway training and development.
• railbex gmbhsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver sponsor - railway technology company.
• bbg (Basler Transport-Gesellschaft)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver sponsor - Basel transport company.
• furrerfreyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze sponsor - railway logistics company.
• Zürcher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze sponsor - Zurich transport association.
• Air Force Center DübendorfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner providing event space for up to 1000 persons. Located adjacent to the railway laboratory on the airfield grounds.
• 3BInframinorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInfrastructure partner supporting laboratory operations.
• Hitachi RailcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology partner - global railway equipment manufacturer with interest in testing and training.
• megagroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in railway technology and operations.
• Switzerland Innovation Park ZurichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation park partner supporting research and development activities at the railway laboratory.
• Verein EBL-Schweiz (Support Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport association responsible for operating the SBB training facility model originally at Löwenberg. Joined with railway laboratory support association in 2020 to consolidate both model railway facilities at Dübendorf.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Thales: Global rail signaling and train control supplier (ETCS, CBTC) with associated training and simulation offerings. Comparable as a broad incumbent in signaling, control, and railway training that addresses the same operator buyer as EBL.
• Alstom: Major rail OEM providing signaling (Atlas/Urbalis), rolling stock, and digital mobility services, including rail training academies. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering signaling training and simulation that overlaps with EBL's ETCS-focused lab work.
• Hitachi Rail: Listed as a core technology partner of EBL-Schweiz and a global rail signaling and rolling stock OEM. Comparable as a broad incumbent providing rail signaling and testing/training infrastructure that intersects with EBL's laboratory mandate.
• Indra: Spanish IT and rail signaling provider (DAVOS platform, ERTMS/ETCS deployments) serving operators across Europe. Comparable as a broad incumbent in railway control, signaling, and simulation/training solutions.
• SYSTRA: International engineering and consulting group specializing in rail and public transport, with simulation and operations expertise. Comparable as a broad incumbent delivering rail operations consulting and simulation services to operators and authorities.
• DB Training, Learning & Consulting: Deutsche Bahn's training subsidiary operating large-scale rail training centers, simulators, and courses for railway personnel. Comparable as a large, established rail-training organization that EBL's academy model mirrors at smaller scale.
• Siemens Mobility: Global rail signaling, rolling stock, and rail services incumbent. Operates full-scale rail simulation and training programs for ETCS, CBTC, and operations, making it a broad incumbent that overlaps with EBL's signaling simulation and training mandate.

Direct peers

• SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) Training: Operator of the Swiss federal railway's own training centers and the historical operator of the original Betriebsanlage donated to EBL. Comparable as the closest direct peer in Swiss railway training, and EBL's reference customer/partner.

Regional players

• Network Rail Consulting: Consulting and training arm of the UK rail infrastructure manager, offering simulation, training, and asset management services to UK and international clients. Comparable as a regional rail training and simulation provider addressing similar customer profiles.
• ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) Training: Austrian national operator running its own training centers, simulators, and railway skills programs for the DACH region. Comparable as a regional railway training and operations simulation organization that addresses similar operator and academic buyers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ebl-schweiz
• Facebookfacebook.com/eblschweiz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ebl-schweiz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Railway Laboratory