EQS News: Unique track replacement technology from Vossloh enables renovation of the important Cologne-Rhine/Main high-speed line in record time | 29.08.24

Vossloh’s unique track replacement technology enables the renovation of the important Cologne-Rhine/Main high-speed line in record time

• Vossloh replaces rails on one of the most important railway lines in Deutsche Bahn’s ICE network
• Vossloh uses innovative track replacement technology to replace more than 100,000 meters of track in just four weeks
• Even under extreme conditions in the far north of Sweden, Vossloh impresses with track replacement

Werdohl, August 29, 2024. Vossloh plays a central role in the modernisation of Deutsche Bahn’s most important transport routes. One of Vossloh’s unique rail replacement trains was used for the renovation of the Cologne – Rhine/Main high-speed line, once again proving to be an indispensable tool for the efficient and rapid replacement of rails.

The Vossloh track replacement train, in combination with its own track loading trains, enables the rails to be completely replaced in the shortest possible time thanks to a highly efficient assembly line system. The track replacement process includes welding with a mobile flash butt welding machine, unloading new rails and loading the old rails. Thanks to the high operating speed of up to 4,000 metres of track per shift, downtime and construction times are reduced to a minimum. This was impressively demonstrated during the renovation of the heavily used and, due to the topographical conditions, very demanding high-speed line between Cologne and Frankfurt. Thanks to Vossloh’s one-stop-shop approach, high level of logistics expertise and innovative track replacement technology, more than 100,000 metres of rails were replaced and seamlessly welded in less than a month, once again impressively underlining the efficiency and performance of the track replacement process. This enabled the renovation of the line, one of the most important routes in the ICE network with 120 ICE trains per day, to be completed in record time.

The Vossloh rail replacement train has also proven itself many times internationally. In the Netherlands and recently in the north of Sweden, where part of the important Malmbanan railway line was damaged after two derailments, the train was used successfully. Despite enormous time pressure and bad weather conditions, the damaged rails were quickly replaced, allowing the transport of ore from the mines in the far north of Sweden to proceed smoothly. The end customer, Trafikverket, was extremely satisfied with the fast and efficient solution.

“With our extensive expertise and holistic approach, we have provided significant support to our customers in recent weeks, both in the rapid renewal of one of Deutsche Bahn’s most important high-speed lines and in the urgent renovation of a section of the economically important Malmbanan Line in Sweden. Our unique track replacement technology enabled us to carry out these tasks efficiently, with precision and in record time. Special thanks go to our trackside teams, whose outstanding expertise and tireless efforts made these important projects a success,” said Jan Furnivall, Chief Operating Officer of Vossloh AG.

Media contact information:
Andreas Friedemann
Phone: +49 (0) 2392 52-608
E-mail: [email protected]

Contact details for investors:
Dr. Daniel Gavranovic
Phone: +49 (0) 2392 52-609
Email: [email protected]

Vossloh is a global technology group that has stood for quality, safety, customer focus, reliability and innovation for around 140 years. With its comprehensive range of products and services for rail, Vossloh is one of the world market leaders in this field. Vossloh offers a uniquely wide range of products and services under one roof: rail fastening systems, concrete sleepers, switch systems and crossings, as well as innovative and increasingly digitally based services for the entire life cycle of rails and switches. Vossloh uses its systemic knowledge of rail to respond to the central customer need for “rail availability”.

Vossloh products and services are used in more than 100 countries. With around 75 group companies in almost 30 countries and more than 40 production sites, Vossloh is locally active worldwide. Vossloh is committed to sustainable corporate governance and climate protection and makes an important contribution to the sustainable mobility of people and goods with its products and services.

The Group’s activities are divided into three divisions: Core Components, Customized Modules and Lifecycle Solutions. In the 2023 financial year, Vossloh generated sales of €1,214.3 million with approximately 4,000 employees.

Source Vossloh