Stadler building first fully automated rack-and-pinion rail vehicle for Appenzeller Bahnen
Bussnang/Herisau - Appenzeller Bahnen have ordered rack-and-pinion rail vehicles for the Rheineck-Walzenhausen rail link from Stadler in the canton of Thurgau. This will reportedly be the world’s first fully automated overland adhesion/rack-and-pinion rail vehicle and also take over the monitoring and detection of obstacles.
Appenzeller Bahnen (AB) from the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden is replacing its train on the Rheineck-Walzenhausen line, which has been in service for over 64 years, with a new one from Stadler. The two companies have signed a contract for the manufacture and delivery of a rail vehicle. Commissioning is scheduled for 2026.
According to its press release, Stadler is implementing the highest automation level. Its in-house Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) solution enables automated and driverless operation. AB staff in the operations center can intervene in train operations by remote control.
Fully automated railways have so far only existed in tunnels or on closed track systems. Since the new AB line will be running as an open system in free-field conditions, the CBTC solution must also take over the monitoring of the track and the detection of obstacles.
The new train on the Rheineck-Walzenhausen line will be the world’s first fully automated overland adhesion/rack-and-pinion rail vehicle. According to Marc Trippel, Head of Stadler’s Signaling Division, this “milestone” will benefit “railway digitalization projects around the world”.