German light rail technology company Hübner has revealed that the first real-world tests of its automatic walkway coupling system will take place in Canada in 2025.
The AutoCouple product was tested in early September before its official launch in Berlin this week, and the trial site for intercar train corridors has been revealed.
Toronto Subway will host the tool, which aims to make more efficient use of existing fleets by making the process of lengthening or shortening trains (depending on passenger demand) easier and faster.
The company claimed that the pairing time can be reduced from 30 to just five minutes.
“With the HÜBNER AutoCouple System, train drivers should be able to disconnect or add cars to the train fully automatically at the touch of a button. During the entire coupling process, the train must be able to remain connected to the electricity grid,” explains Balamurali MK, Innovation & Product Developer at HÜBNER’s Mobility Rail division.
“In this way, transport companies should be able to save up to 25 minutes on each connection process. Thanks to the faster availability of trains and the savings in personnel costs, the system would create real added value,” they add.
The new technology would also reduce human interaction, making coupling and uncoupling of train cars a much safer affair.
The new system is also extremely robust and durable and should facilitate power and data transmission from one rail car to another in the future, the company added.
“We are very pleased to be able to present a first-ever innovation that will enable rail carriers in the passenger sector to be both more flexible and safer in their planning and organization,” said Alexander Schmidt, Head of Innovation and Product Development at the HÜBNER Mobility Rail division.
“Our team is working to create a customized innovation for customers that also enables significant savings on key resources.”
Stadler’s new train set was also unveiled this week, as a follow-up to the popular FLIRT model.
The Swiss manufacturer has unveiled a modified BEMU design for the Centovalli railway line between Locarno in Switzerland and northern Italy.
The new train is called Stadler FART and is specially designed to bridge slopes of up to 6% under its own pulling power.
And yes, that’s the real name.
“Automatic Gangway Clutch and an All-New Stadler” was originally created and published by Railway Technology, a brand owned by GlobalData.
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