Repeat order from Hitachi for Getzner Werkstoffe

The vibration protection expert recently delivered the floating floors in the rail cars as the supplier for the British InterCity Express Programme (IEP)

©Hitachi Rail Europe Ltd.

07.07.16

Buers (A)/Kudamatsu (JP). Rail vehicle manufacturer Hitachi has extended its supply contract with Getzner Werkstoffe as part of the British Department for Transport's InterCity Express Programme. Up until 2018, the vibration protection expert will be equipping all trains manufactured for the IEP with elastic bearings for floating floors.

Getzner Werkstoffe is the supplier of vibration mitigation materials for floating floors in the second phase of the InterCity Express Programme (IEP). “Rail cars with vibration isolating floors are considerably quieter than conventional rail cars,” explains Tomoko Takekawa, General Manager of Getzner Japan. In 2014, the British Department for Transport decided to invest in new high-speed trains (122 in total) as part of a rail investment programme, which are being developed and manufactured at Hitachi Rail Europe’s Rail Vehicle Manufacturing Facility (RVMF) in in Newton Aycliffe (England). Getzner has been the supplier of vibration protection for the IEP trains since 2014. Due to the successful collaboration, at the start of 2016 Hitachi extended the contract to include Phase II for the fleet on the East Coast Main Line. This results in a total order volume of approximately 78.000 elastic strips of the material Sylomer® FR – the largest order of floating floors in rail cars since the founding of Getzner. Catherine Easter, Category Manager Interiors at Hitachi Rail Europe comments on the collaboration: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Getzner – it has been a pleasure working with them.”

Elastic bearings reduce noise levels and wear

The high-tech materials from Getzner are extremely effective despite their low overall height. “The materials enable to meet the required noise levels, and the elastic mounting of the floor also reduces material wear and maintenance costs”, completes Tomoko Takekawa. Both rail operators and passengers benefit from vibration mitigating floating floors. For the rail operators, vibration-isolating floors have a positive effect on the capacity and ride comfort of the train. And by offering greater comfort, you can also charge more. There are other reasons why using elastic bearings not only on the railway superstructure but also for the rail car floors is a good idea. On long-distance and high-speed lines in particular, the railways compete directly with air travel. “Experience shows that travellers tend to opt for rail if, in addition to short journey times and punctuality, an appropriately high level of comfort is provided,” confirms Tomoko Takekawa.

Deciding factor for the award of the contract: effectiveness and durability of the materials

According to Lukas Tschann, Project Manager at Getzner, external assessments have proven the high level of effectiveness and extraordinary long-term behaviour of the elastic materials in the floating floors: “In 2014, we won the contract due to the exceptional performance of our materials, our long experience in equipping rail cars and because our solution was still the most cost-effective”. The vibration-isolating bearings in the floating floor are made from the flame retardant material Sylomer® FR, which has been developed and is produced by Getzner. Most important, Sylomer® FR products meet the requirements of the DIN EN 45545-2 fire protection standard for rail vehicles. Vibration protection solutions are not only used in rail and construction applications, but they are also used in industry, such as for machinery and other technical equipment.

Floating floors in rail cars - InterCity Express Programme (IEP)

Client: Hitachi Rail Europe
Connection: Great Western Main Line from 2017; East Coast Main Line (Phase I and II) from 2018
Implementation: 2014-2018
Scope: Supplying and designing of approximately 78.000 elastic strips of Sylomer® FR (conforming to the DIN EN 45545-2 fire protection standard for rail vehicles); 122 trains or 866 rail cars
Solution: Elastic floating floors in rail cars for long-distance trains
Effect: Reduces noise levels, shock impact and vibrations, as well as wear and maintenance costs
Application: Vibration protection in the rail and construction sectors; bearing of tracks, structures, machinery and technical equipment in the industry sector