Sparks Fly on the Tracks in the Industrial Quarter After the Beginning of the Year

photo: Knaus / ÖBB/Sparks Fly on the Tracks in the Industrial Quarter After the Beginning of the Year

The approximately 70-metre-long rail grinding train will be on the road in the new year from 10 to 19 January on all lines in the industrial quarter to give the rails a new, ideal profile with its 2,500 hp. The grinding will take place on the Semmering line, the Aspang line, the Puchberg line, the Gutenstein line, the Triestingtal line and the Pottendorf line and will bring advantages for both residents and ÖBB customers.

The noise level along the railway lines is reduced by the smoothing of the rails and travelling in the wagons becomes even quieter and more pleasant. Rail grinding also brings economic advantages for ÖBB because the performance and service life of the rails gets extended many times over.    

The ideal profile for rails and switches

Small slip waves or deformations of the rail head form on the rail surface when trains run over it. These fine unevennesses are a source of noise, which also stress the vehicles and rail superstructure through vibration. The 24 grinding motors on board the train restore the rails and points to their ideal profile. Around 0.3 - 1 mm is ground off. In one night, the rail grinding train covers more than three kilometres. The track sections are selected in advance with a special measuring train. This high-tech device shows the experts exactly where the grinding train will be used.

Source: ÖBB Press Releases