Essen

Ruhrbahn GmbH has commissioned Kiepe Electric to modernise its two SF60 rail grinding vehicles. These are used to grind scoring on the rail surface and to clean lubricating films on the tracks. 

One vehicle is designed for the metre-gauge network and one for the standard-gauge network. The vehicles were built by Windhoff in 1999. Obsolete spare parts and a lack of reliability made it necessary to replace the entire power electronics and control technology. The new drive unit consists of four IGBT traction converters, which were integrated into the existing cooling water circuit and supply the existing AC traction motors. With its integrated acceleration control, the new drive system contributes to a significant improvement in driving behaviour. The optimised skid and skid protection ensures the best possible traction and braking values.

The extensive modernisation package includes the replacement of the entire control and instrumentation technology, which also includes the control of the hydraulic grinding system.

This includes the following components:

• Central control unit
• Drive control units 
• BUS control units for the driver's cabs 
• Driver's cab displays 
• BUS control unit of the hydraulic system

A new on-board power converter for the 3AC 400V on-board power supply and DC 24V battery charging was also supplied.

Kiepe Electric was responsible for vehicle and material planning, installation and assembly, as well as registration management. The re-registration of the vehicles was carried out in close coordination with the licensing authority. The conversion was carried out by TALBOT Service GmbH in Aachen, which also carried out the mechanical work.