Abstract: The invention relates to a retractable step arrangement for a rail vehicle with a first housing that can be mounted on a body of the rail vehicle and features a first housing opening, with a step that is movably supported in the first housing in an initial position and can be displaced between the initial position and a final position, in which the step at least sectionally protrudes from the first housing, through the first housing opening, and with a drive unit for the step that features a motor and at least one movable connecting means that transmits a motion generated by the motor to the step. The retractable step arrangement provides a separate second housing, in which the drive unit is arranged, wherein the interior of the first housing is spatially separated from the interior of the second housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a railway vehicle with a self-supporting car body having a floor and a roof as well as side walls which present windows and access areas. The side walls are each made of a frame which is rigidly connected to the floor and presents side wall elements. The car body skin elements are configured in a supporting manner and fixed to frame elements (2) by friction so as to form a ribbed plate support structure (1, 8). The car body skin elements comprise an integrated intermediate layer (5) having vibration-damping properties. Frictional adhesive joints (7) or frictional screw or rivet joints (9) between the frame elements (2) and supporting car body skin elements can be provided for.