DB and RAIL.ONE open new plant for production of sleepers

Klaus-Dieter Josel (DB) and Nishant Mittal (RAIL.ONE) at the key handover ceremony

In collaboration, Deutsche Bahn and RAIL.ONE have opened a new production plant for sleepers, following RAIL.ONE’s win in October 2017 of the DB Netz AG’s tender for the planning, construction and operation of the new plant. Dr Ludwig Friedl, Chief Technology Officer of the company, said: “We are proud to be able to supply our most important customer Deutsche Bahn with even higher quality products from the most modern production plant in the entire Group.”

Located in Schwandorf in southern Germany, the new plant, to be operated by RAIL.ONE, is dedicated to the production of prestressed concrete turnout sleepers. Deutsche Bahn’s Group Representative for the Free State of Bavaria, Klaus-Dieter Josel, said: “One reason for choosing this location is the previous distribution of plants for the production of concrete turnout sleepers in Germany. This location is now the most southern and will primarily supply the regional divisions South and Southeast of DB Netz AG.” Being in such close proximity to the DB turnout plant will allow future joint delivery of turnout bearers and components, improving logistics for supplying track construction sites.

The plant will undergo extensive trial before the beginning of production in November 2019 in order to obtain approval from the Federal Railway Authority and the DB AG Quality Inspection Service.