Bakvagn

Bakvagn is a Swedish term used in both railway and automotive contexts to denote the rear part of a vehicle. In railway terminology, bakvagn refers to the bogie or bogies located at the rear end of a rail vehicle. A bogie is a wheelset assembly mounted on a frame with suspension and, in many cases, braking equipment. The front and rear bogies together support the vehicle’s weight, provide stability, and aid in negotiating curves. Depending on the design, the bakvagn may be powered or unpowered, and in some configurations the rear end of a train or multiple unit may include an end car or driving cab.

In automotive engineering, bakvagn describes the rear axle assembly and its associated suspension and subframe. This contrasts with the front axle assembly (främre vagn) and influences ride quality, handling, and load distribution for rear-driven or all-wheel-drive vehicles.

Usage and meaning can vary by country and over time, but the core idea is consistently the rear structural and functional unit of a vehicle, whether a railcar’s trailing bogie or a car’s rear axle assembly. The term is most common in Swedish and Norwegian contexts and is often encountered in discussions of train design, rolling stock configuration, and vehicle dynamics. See also bogie, rolling stock, rear axle, vehicle dynamics.