Cost-effective repair and overhaul of track-maintenance machines: Nationwide experience in Germany

摘要

Keeping the railways competitive means ensuring the highest possible availability of all systems, particularly the track, at the lowest possible cost. Track-maintenance strategies, based on the regulations in force, together with optimized worksite planning have developed into useful tools for reaching economic targets. At the same time, attention needs to be paid to the quality standard of each individual track component as well as to entire sections of line. The use of modem track-laying and track-maintenance machinery has helped meet three requirements: high cost-effectiveness, outstanding quality and the resultant highest possible availability.