Contract for VTM-compact and smart HSG-city bolsters rail maintenance in the commodities sector
Vossloh is delivering two special-purpose machines to South Africa to machine rails for Railway Corporation (Pty) Limited. The joint venture will be taking receipt of a VTM-compact rail milling machine and a smart HSG-city grinding machine that includes the digital analysis platform, mapl-e. The machines will be used to maintain railway lines crucial for the transport of coal, iron ore and other raw materials.
South Africa is investing heavily in modernizing its logistics and rail infrastructure and is focusing more on measures that increase network availability and transportation capacity. Combining digital condition analysis with preventive machining and the precise elimination of defects provides Railway Corporation Limited with a key component for efficient maintenance.
“The possession times available for our network are severely limited”, says Jade Orren, Shareholder representative of Railway Corporation (Pty) Limited. “Being able to machine rails preventively in future at high speeds of up to 60 km/h opens up new opportunities for safeguarding our infrastructure long-term. At the same time, the solution provides us with the optimum blend of economic efficiency and track availability.”
The smart HSG-city is being specially designed with a wheel gauge of 1067 millimeters to accommodate the Cape gauge predominant in South Africa. The machine combines the collection of rail condition data and preventive rail machining in one system. Operating at speeds of 8 to 60 km/h, it can carry out maintenance measures largely without any additional track closures. The data obtained on the condition of the rails is evaluated using the mapl-e digital analysis platform and used to plan targeted maintenance measures.
The VTM-compact complements the smart HSG-city as a compact milling machine for the targeted removal of severe rail defects. Its adjustable wheel gauge makes it suitable for use on different networks and in a range of different operating conditions.
“Successful rail maintenance now no longer begins with removing damage”, says Marcel Taubert, Managing Director of Vossloh Rail Services. “It’s essential to determine the condition of the infrastructure early and deploy targeted maintenance measures. This preventive approach is gaining in importance around the world. The combination of High Speed Grinding, measuring technology and milling is currently the most effective technology package for rail maintenance.”
This contract is enabling Vossloh to further strengthen its presence on the African continent and promote the modernization of rail infrastructure through preventive, efficient and resource-friendly maintenance solutions.
