GAFs For DB Bahnbau Gruppe

On 1 December 2021, WINDHOFF has agreed a framework contract with DB Bahnbau Gruppe for the procurement of up to 10 track work vehicles. DB Bahnbau Gruppe GmbH provides construction services for DB AG's railway infrastructure throughout Germany. For these undertakings, it requires appropriate track work vehicles that are characterised by a high degree of flexibility with regard to their performance and the occurring operating conditions.

As part of an EU-wide tendering procedure, DB Bahnbau Gruppe concluded a framework contract with WINDHOFF Bahn- und Anlagentechnik GmbH for track work vehicles (GAF, Gleisarbeitsfahrzeug) at the end of an intensive procurement phase based on various criteria. The first lot includes three GAFs, which will be equipped with an innovative and sustainable working concept. They will be built by WINDHOFF in Rheine and are scheduled for delivery in August 2024.

This is a particularly compact version of the four-axle MPV VentuS vehicle from WINDHOFF's platform. This configured vehicle offers significant added value due to its modular design, which allows its owner selective modifications during the vehicle lifetime to fulfill future requirements. This could be an exchange of the present drive-engine to the engine of the future - whatever it may be - but a replacement of the crane module to e. g. another social container as well.

The electric drive of the GAFs, which is one of the new energy modules of the MPV VentuS platform, has been completed with a high-energy traction battery that allows an emission-free running in working mode and will also respect noise regulations nearby urban settlements. Another special feature is the low axle-load compared to the standard two-axle vehicles, bringing an advantage that the new vehicles can be used on all route classes of the DB network, while at the same time offering better driving dynamics.

While there is a large continuous loading area with a powerful working crane in the area behind the fully air-conditioned cab, all drive and auxiliary units are arranged as modular sub-assemblies under floor. This is optimally suited for the transport of rails, switch parts and sleepers or for carrying the necessary construction materials and tools.

The Principal Technical Data:

Axle arrangement: 2’ Bo’
Drive system: DE with traction battery
Diesel engine power: 520 kW
Battery power: 30 kWh (expandable up to 90 kWh)
Maximum speed: 100 km/h
Axle-load: 16 t
Net weight: approx. 57 t
Length over buffers: 16,520 mm
Width: 3,050 mm

Noise-insulated and fully air-conditioned cab with two driver's consoles and suitable for up to 8 persons
Primary and secondary suspension
ATP: PZB90 (Indusi), prepared for ETCS
Digital radio GSM-R
Loading crane with 19 mt

André Altmann, Rail Vehicle Technology Sales
WINDHOFF Bahn- und Anlagentechnik GmbH
+49 5971 58 314
AAltmann@windhoff.de

Ingo Wicker, Project Manager Rail Vehicle Technology
WINDHOFF Bahn- und Anlagentechnik GmbH
+49 5971 58 217
IWicker@windhoff.de