Sweden Innovates: Freight Train with DAC Begins Testing

Sweden has officially begun testing the Digital Automatic Coupler (DAC) in real-world operations. The trials, which aim to modernize rail freight transport, will continue until 2026.

A demonstration train, operated by CFL Cargo, runs between Gothenburg and the intermodal terminal in Nässjö. The train comprises 20 freight wagons, with three pairs equipped with DAC systems from different manufacturers. These tests will evaluate the performance of couplers under varying conditions, including winter, and the train is expected to travel approximately 300,000 kilometers throughout the trials.

Demonstration Train Set to Cover 300,000 km

Real-world testing of DAC technology marks a significant milestone for rail transport in 2023. As reported by Railvolution, the initial DAC units for testing come from the renowned German manufacturer Knorr-Bremse. The CFL Cargo-operated train, running on the Trafikverket network, will remain in service until 2025, according to Railvolution. This extended timeline allows for a thorough evaluation of the benefits provided by this innovative coupling system.

In the initial phase of the trials, six wagons were equipped with DAC systems, with plans to gradually increase this number to 20. The demonstration train was expected to travel approximately 100,000 kilometers annually, delivering vital data to support the implementation process. As reported by Railsweden, by mid-2024, the train began operating between Gothenburg and Nässjö. This train is equipped with DAC systems from Knorr-Bremse, Dellner, and Voith, enabling a comprehensive evaluation of the couplers’ performance over time. A key focus is on their durability under winter conditions, generating crucial data for a life-cycle cost analysis ahead of wider adoption in European freight wagons. The train is expected to remain operational for about two years following its launch, accumulating an estimated 300,000 kilometers of mileage.

DAC Functionality in Commercial Operations

The demonstration train is critical to validating DAC’s functionality and suitability for modernizing rail freight operations. According to Anna Björkman, program manager at Rail Sweden, these trials are essential for assessing technical solutions, ensuring reliability, and familiarizing users with the DAC system.

"Operating demonstration trains across different parts of Europe is vital to verify technical solutions, ensure reliability, and familiarize users with the workings of automatic couplers. In Sweden, we are testing this technology in regular commercial operations to understand how DAC performs in the long term, especially under winter conditions," she explained in an article published on Railsweden.

Jan Bergstrand, senior strategist at Trafikverket, emphasized the importance of these trials: "Demonstration projects are key to verifying and refining solutions. They confirm that investments in DAC will support the implementation of technologies that can shift more freight from roads to rail."

Trafikverket is responsible for designing and overseeing the tests, as well as preparing the demonstration train. Rail Sweden serves as the project lead, with support from Svensk Maskinprovning, a consulting firm specializing in machine safety and environmental assessments. These collaborative efforts aim to pave the way for DAC’s full-scale implementation, promoting efficiency and sustainability in rail freight.

Source: RAILTARGET; Railvolution; Rail Sweden