DB Cargo Logistics modernises timber wagons

Modernising rolling stock is often associated with high investment costs. But there are also innovative and resource-saving ideas for renewing vehicle fleets sustainably. DB Cargo recently put these into practice for its timber fleet.

"New" wagons for two fleets

The innovative fleet renewal project started with a lucky coincidence: the Steel and Timber divisions at DB Cargo were both planning to change their own rolling stock at the same time. "We were looking for wagons to reinforce the timber fleet and wanted a solution that was as cost effective and resource efficient as possible. As DB Cargo also needed to adapt its steel transport fleet to changing customer requirements at the same time, we quickly realised that the two departments could help each other. The Steel transport division gave us suitable wagons that could be converted into modern stanchion wagons for our fleet at a manageable cost", explains Erik Loebel, Equipment Manager Timber. The Timber division took a total of 50 wagons, which were around half-way through their service lives, and set about converting them.

Converting old wagons for new tasks

This conversion was necessary because the steel wagons were not designed for securely transporting valuable raw or processed wood. The flat wagon formed the ideal basis; all that was left was to make the necessary adaptations for wood. After extensive testing of a converted prototype, the main part of the project began at the start of 2023. The conversion was carried out by DB Fahrzeuginstandhaltung and took only around two weeks per wagon. The results are impressive: for a comparatively small financial outlay, the timber fleet has received refurbished wagons that are now entering the second half of their service lives. This is an upcycling project that delivers incredible value.

0313_EN_Rns-z Bild aus Güterwagenkatalog

As well as new paintwork, the conversion work to turn the former Rns-z wagons (formerly type 643) into Rnps wagons (new type 642) involved several steps:

-    Additional pairs of steel stanchions ensure greater load security and allow the wagons to transport shorter logs.

-    Integrated strap rollers fulfil the current requirements for load securing and remove the need for customers to provide their own disposable straps.

0313_EN_Rns-z Wagen werden zu Rnps-Wagen

- The previous bolsters between the pairs of stanchions were replaced with steel ones. Together with the auxiliary bolsters, which are also made of steel, they help to both protect the wagon and secure the load.

- Despite the conversion, with three additional pairs of stanchions and nine additional auxiliary steel bolsters, the load limit of 66.0 tonnes remains unchanged (due in part to the removal of the end flaps).

Converted wagons enable flexible use

So what can the 50 "new" wagons in the timber fleet do? Their biggest asset is their flexibility. With their 12 pairs of stanchions and 11 integrated auxiliary bolsters, they can transport raw timber in all standard market lengths from three to 12 metres, as well as palletised square-sawn timber. This allows for efficient round trips: the wagons can transport logs to sawmills, for example, before taking the square-sawn timber to wood processing companies and returning empty to their starting point. The new wagons have already been well utilised, with DB Cargo viewing the conversion as a great success.

Converted and modernised stanchion wagon for transporting logs and palletised square-sawn timber

Sylvia Debler, who led the project to completion together with Erik Loebel, agrees. The project manager in the Vehicle Projects department at DB Cargo is pleased with the extra-sustainable solution: "Wagon upcycling is not only ideal from an investment point of view, but is also an excellent way to save resources. It means that two of our divisions, Timber and Steel, can continue to serve their customers with flexible, modern wagons."