DB says innovative freight train project ‘very promising’ so far

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A project to design innovative freight wagons, which is being financed by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI), DB Cargo and VTG, is producing ‘very promising’ results.

Four prototype wagons developed by the consortium have been on test since March. They have been fitted with lightweight components to reduce both energy consumption and noise and feature new digital systems which optimise handling.

Deutsche Bahn (DB) said the results to date had been ‘very promising’. It made the statement in a press release announcing that half of the 150,000 test kilometres had now been completed.

Modified four-axle tank car. Photo: DB/ Innovativer_Güterwagen.

The announcement coincided with a visit from Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer to the project’s depot in Berlin.

The prototypes are based on four common wagon types: a 6-axle flat car, a two-way, open car transport wagon, a four-axle tank car and an 80′ container wagon.

All of the project partners hope the results will make rail more attractive to customers.

The BMVI has contributed €18 million to the scheme, while DB Cargo and VTG have covered the procurement costs to build the test vehicles, which is estimated to be more than €6 million.


Read more: ÄŒD to order up to 120 new regional trains


 

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