Unimog remote control shunting vehicle handed over at the InnoTrans 2016 show.
There were smiles on the faces of Marc Bröcker, head of procurement for DB fleet services and Marian Meyer, group manager for DB long-distance shunting operations, as they were presented with the symbolic key for their new Unimog road-railer. The Mercedes-Benz show stand at InnoTrans was the perfect backdrop for the official handover of the Unimog U 423, which will soon enter service with the Deutsche Bahn and ensure cost-effective shunting operations.
Cost-effective and eco-friendly.
For Marc Bröcker, the decisive arguments for the new vehicle were its environmental compatibility and efficiency. "The Unimog brings the stringent emission standards applicable on the roads to the rail network, and is therefore particularly low in emissions. In addition, its modern drive technology offers large potential savings in fuel consumption. And not least, the Unimog for shunting operations is inexpensive and has low operating costs."
The Unimog U 423 in question has a track guidance system with CAN bus safety control developed by bodybuilder ZAGRO. This ensures safe track guidance and meets the latest safety requirements.
The Unimog achieves its enormous tractive power despite a relatively light weight thanks to the high friction coefficient of rubber on steel. The compact axle dimensions ensure that the Unimog road-railer can dispense with a separate on-rail drive system. The torque converter clutch available ex factory increases the start-off torque and allows jerk-free starting with no clutch wear.
Unimog will replace a shunting locomotive.
"The new U 423 will replace a shunting locomotive that is now showing its age," says Marian Meyer. "Moreover, we are able to achieve speeds of 1-2 km/h using the Unimog as a towcar, thereby achieving optimum results when cleaning our trains." In future the Unimog will be in service as a remote-controlled shunting vehicle in Hanover, on the site of DB's long-distance terminal where it will e.g. tow high-speed ICE trains through a washer system.
More information on the road-railer Unimog:
