In this paper, linear dynamic equations are derived from nonlinear dynamic equations of constrained multibody systems using the QR decomposition method. The derived linear equations are applied to a railway vehicle bogie. The vibration characteristics of the railway vehicle are investigated by calculating the natural mode and transfer function of the bogie frame in relation to rail-roughness input. The main modes of the bogie were found below 35Hz, and the local modes above 198Hz. The magnitude of the vertical transfer function varied with the forward velocity due to vertical and pitch modes, which were influenced by the forward velocity. The magnitude of the lateral transfer function was negligibly small, and the mode in the longitudinal direction was excited for longitudinal transfer function regardless of the forward velocity.