DCAirco

15/07/2026

Retrofitting Driver Cab HVAC for Rolling Stock – Proven Solutions for Existing Fleets

For more than 30 years, DCAirco has specialised in retrofitting driver cab air conditioning systems for locomotives, light rail vehicles, maintenance vehicles and other rolling stock operating in some of the world's most demanding environments. From the deserts of the Middle East to the railways of Europe and Southeast Asia, our systems are designed to integrate with existing vehicles while minimising installation time and vehicle downtime.

Our retrofit solutions are available for a wide range of railway power supplies, including:

✅ 24 VDC

✅ 74 VDC

✅ 110 VDC

✅ 230 VAC

✅ 400 VAC

Whether the application requires a compact split system, rooftop unit, under-desk HVAC or a completely custom-designed solution, DCAirco delivers systems engineered specifically for railway environments.

Our experience includes retrofit and new-build projects for:

• Heavy haul freight locomotives

• Mainline diesel and electric locomotives

• Light rail vehicles (LRV)

• EMUs and DMUs

• Track maintenance vehicles

• Grinding and tamping machines

• Shunting locomotives

• Special railway vehicles

Recent projects include:

• Driver cab HVAC for EMD locomotives operating in ambient temperatures up to 56°C.

• 74 VDC retrofit systems for heavy-haul and freight locomotives including SAR, PT Kereta Indonesia, Class 66 and industrial shunting locomotives.

• 110 VDC driver cab cooling for Class 317/7 electric multiple units.

• 230 VAC retrofit solutions for the Transport for Wales Class 769 fleet.

• 400 VAC rooftop and under-desk HVAC systems for tamping machines, track grinding locomotives and railway maintenance vehicles.

Every railway application presents unique challenges. Available space, power supply, environmental conditions and certification requirements all differ.

That's why every DCAirco retrofit solution is engineered to meet the operational requirements of the vehicle while complying with railway standards such as EN 14813, EN 45545-2, EN 61373 and EN 50121 where required.

If you're planning to modernise an existing fleet or require a custom HVAC solution for rolling stock, we'd be pleased to discuss how we can support your project.

28/05/2026

HVAC Retrofit Unit Designed for SBB Cargo Re 420 Locomotive Driver Cab

DC Airco designed and tested a compact HVAC unit for the driver cab of an SBB Cargo Re 420 locomotive in Switzerland. The project was carried out upon request from SBB as part of evaluating climate control upgrade possibilities for older locomotive platforms.

The SBB Cargo Re 420 locomotives, originally built between the 1960s and 1980s, remain active in freight operations today. As many railway operators continue extending the operational life of existing rolling stock, demand is increasing for retrofit HVAC solutions that improve driver comfort and modernize aging locomotive cabs.

For this project, DC Airco developed a compact railway HVAC solution specifically engineered for installation in an existing locomotive driver cab with limited available space. The unit was designed to provide reliable cooling and heating performance while meeting the environmental and operational requirements typical for railway applications.

The project demonstrates DC Airco’s capability to support:

HVAC retrofits for older locomotives
Driver cab air conditioning upgrades
Compact railway HVAC integration
Custom HVAC solutions for rolling stock refurbishment
Climate control modernization for legacy rail vehicles

Retrofit HVAC projects offer railway operators a practical way to improve working conditions and extend fleet usability without requiring complete vehicle replacement. Compact and adaptable systems are especially important for older locomotives where installation space and existing infrastructure create additional engineering challenges.

DC Airco specializes in compact HVAC systems for rolling stock and railway applications, supporting both new-build and refurbishment projects across Europe.

https://www.dcairco.com/news/hvac-unit-for-sbb-cargo-re-420-locomotives

More information about our railway HVAC solutions can be found at www.dcairco.com/solutions/rolling-stock

Discover our Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) and battery cooling systems for rolling stock and railway applications. Ideal for trains, metro, light rail and locomotives.

05/05/2026

DC Airco Delivers Climate Control for Deployable Medical Systems

DC Airco has delivered a reliable climate control solution for deployable medical systems, where stable temperatures are critical for both equipment performance and patient care in harsh and remote environments.

Built for demanding conditions, the DC-powered HVAC system operates on 24VDC and is designed to perform in ambient temperatures up to 56°C, providing efficient cooling and heating for mobile and off-grid applications where reliability is essential. https://www.dcairco.com/news/climate-control-solution-for-marshall-defence-equipment

Upgrade: DC12700 Replaces DC10002

DC Airco has introduced the DC12700 as the upgraded replacement for the DC10002. The new model delivers improved performance, flexibility, and efficiency, supporting modern electrified and battery-powered systems.

With solutions like these, DC Airco continues to support critical operations with robust and energy-efficient thermal management technology.
https://www.dcairco.com/series/dc-12000/dc-12700

DC Airco supplied a DC10002 24 Vdc wall-mounted HVAC system for Marshall defence equipment, delivering reliable, energy-efficient climate control in mission-critical environments.

22/04/2026

Project Highlight: Climate Control for Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous vehicles need more than smart software — they need reliable thermal management, especially in extreme climates.

DC Airco delivered a fully DC‑powered HVAC and thermal management solution for 2getthere’s GRT autonomous vehicles, designed to perform in ambient temperatures up to 52 °C.

What we delivered:
7 kW ceiling‑mounted HVAC system for stable cabin comfort
24 Vdc fresh air unit to maintain air quality 6 kW battery chiller to protect batteries and electronics

The result:
Consistent passenger comfort, reliable battery cooling, and dependable performance — even in harsh, hot environments.

This project shows how robust climate control is essential for safe, reliable autonomous mobility.

Proud to support the future of autonomous and electric vehicles.

DC Airco delivered an integrated HVAC and thermal management solution for 2getthere autonomous vehicles, ensuring passenger comfort, air quality, and battery cooling in extreme climates up to 52 °C.

20/04/2026

Throwback to one of our standout projects: delivering solar-powered cooling for ADNOC pump stations in harsh desert conditions.

At the time, our DC12500 units proved their reliability by operating efficiently off-grid, ensuring stable temperatures for critical infrastructure — even under extreme heat. Designed specifically for harsh environments, the system performs reliably in ambient temperatures up to 55°C.
https://www.dcairco.com/news/solar-powered-pump-station-cooling-for-adnoc

Since then, we’ve continued to innovate.

The DC12500 has now been succeeded by its upgraded replacement: the DC12700 — offering improved performance, higher efficiency, and even greater reliability in demanding environments.

A great example of how field-proven solutions evolve into the next generation. https://www.dcairco.com/series/dc-12000/dc-12700

DC Airco supplied a DC12500 solar-powered HVAC system for an ADNOC pump station, delivering reliable cooling for critical equipment in extreme desert conditions up to 55 °C.

14/04/2026

Reliable cooling for the harshest border control environments

DC Airco has delivered a prefilled, fully DC‑powered retrofit air‑conditioning solution for a defence surveillance vehicle operating in extreme border regions. Designed for high‑ambient temperatures up to 54 °C, the system ensures stable cooling for mission‑critical electronics and operators in hot, dusty and remote environments.

Multiple DC9200 split units operate in parallel to provide redundancy, resilience, and continuous operation, even during extended missions. The compact, prefilled design enables fast integration on new or existing vehicles, proving ideal for retrofit projects where reliability and uptime are critical.

DC Airco supplied dc powered split air conditioning for a defence surveillance vehicle, ensuring reliable cooling and equipment protection at up to 54 °C.

07/04/2026

Retrofitting cooling systems in extreme environments doesn’t have to be complicated.

DCAirco completed a cab cooling retrofit project on drilling equipment at a copper mine in Mauritania—demonstrating how existing machinery can be upgraded quickly and effectively without complex modifications.

Our solution was designed with one goal in mind: make retrofit simple. Thanks to pre-engineered, factory-tested systems, installation is straightforward, minimizing downtime and avoiding costly on-site adjustments. But ease of installation is only part of the story.

Mining environments like Mauritania demand performance under extreme heat and harsh conditions, where ambient temperatures can exceed 50°C. Our systems are specifically engineered for these conditions—delivering reliable cooling where conventional systems struggle or fail.

✔️ Fast and simple retrofit on existing equipment

✔️ Minimal downtime during installation

✔️ Designed for high ambient temperatures (50°C+)

✔️ Reliable performance in dusty, heavy-duty environments

This project is a strong example of how legacy equipment can be upgraded to modern comfort and safety standards—without replacing the entire system.

DC Airco retrofitted DC13005 rooftop cab air conditioning on mining drill rigs in Mauritania, delivering 3,9 kW cooling for extreme desert and dusty conditions.