Based on the design model of multi-degrees of freedom, a new modelling method of rail vehicle system with active suspension was put forward, a kind of optimum-preview controller was designed to restrain the vertical vibration, nodding and rolling of carbody, the system respond with controller was analysed.Simulation results indicate that the vertical vibration, nodding and rolling levels of carbody are reduced by about 27%, 30%, 30% respectively using optimum control method, and the levels of carbody are reduced by about 54%, 50%, 45% respectively using preview control method, preview control strategy can make vehicle system respond ahead according to target value.It is feasible that the optimum-preview controller is used in designning the active suspension of rail vehicle system based on complex multi-degrees of freedom model.