The production plant will be operated by Rail.One Schwandorf, a subsidiary of the Rail.One Group. The opening was attended by Bavaria’s state minister, Mr Albert Füracker, district administrator, Mr Thomas Ebeling and lord mayor, Mr Andreas Feller.

DB Network awarded Rail.One a contract in October 2017 to plan and construct the new plant, and operate it for 15 years.

“One reason for choosing this location is the existing distribution of plants for the production of concrete turnout sleepers in Germany,” says DB group representative for Bavaria, Mr Klaus-Dieter Josel. “This location is now the most southern and will primarily supply DB Network’s South and Southeast regional divisions.”

The proximity to DB’s turnout production plant will allow the joint delivery of turnout bearers and components in the future, which will significantly improve logistics for supplying track construction sites. Before the start of series production in November, an extensive trial run will be carried out to obtain approval from the Federal Railway Authority and the DB Quality Inspection Service.

The 16,000m² site will produce up to 180,000 linear metres of sleepers per year, using an automated carousel system with end anchoring technology.