WINDHOFF will deliver 35 self-propelled On-Track Machines to Swiss Federal Railways SBB
WINDHOFF Bahn- und Anlagentechnik GmbH, Germany has obtained a contract for the design, production and delivery of 35 self-propelled On-Track Machines from SBB in Switzerland. This is the largest individual contract in the company`s history.
From spring 2017 onwards the new vehicles will be delivered successively to SBB and – according to the current scheduling – the last OTMs will be rolled out in 2021. During this time SBB is entitled to opt for the additional delivery of further vehicles of the same type.
The new machines will be used for scheduled maintenance of the infrastructure as well as trouble-shouting in case of urgent repair works. SBB had put the contract out to public tender; the final decision in favor of WINDHOFF is based on the fulfillment of the criteria «Quality» and «Efficiency». Contributing to this decision – among other things – is the innovative design of the running gear: it combines low wear and high tractive effort with extraordinary curve negotiating characteristics.
Each vehicle will be equipped with a loading platform and a loading crane. For improved access from the track bed the loading platform is partly lowered to a height of only 1.000 mm above rail-level.
The high diesel engine output and the optimum applicable and efficient distribution of the driving torque onto both axles enable maximum traction forces for all upcoming vehicle applications.
Even fully loaded (total weight 40 tons) a maximum travel speed of 100 km/h can be realized. Thanks to performance reserves gradients can be passed without loss of speed.
The vehicle layout features two independent driver’s positions which allow for both a seated and standing position of the operator to enable safe vehicle movements when running in open line and in possession respectively during shunting.
Visibility was permanently tested during the tendering phase and optimized for the current solution.
Initially a number of 5 vehicles will undergo a 6 months testing period in full operation and all gained experiences herein will be transferred into serial production before final takeover.
Apart of minimized life cycle costs SBB emphasizes low fuel consumption for the new OTM fleet. This will be achieved by a twin-engine power installation with energy-saving automatic start-stop function.
For the first time these new OTMs will be equipped with “ETCS-only” as the standard cab signaling equipment in Switzerland. The challenge to meet the requirements of this technical novelty was successfully implemented by the WINDHOFF engineers.
Again the WINDHOFF team was able to provide the best technical and economical solution for a tailored system.
