Largest modernisation of maintenance trains in the history of PKP Energetyka

The thorough modernisation of the fleet of maintenance trains belonging to PKP Energetyka, which has been underway since 2018, is one third complete. Thanks to the programme, 80% of the fleet will comply with the latest standards by 2025, with a value in excess of PLN 0.5 billion.

Comprehensive modernisation

The maintenance train modernisation programme has been implemented in order to carry out catenary maintenance even more effectively for the company's Customers, and especially for the railway infrastructure manager of Polish State Railways (PKP). The upgraded machines are more functional, safer, and more comfortable to use for the teams of workers operating them on a daily basis throughout Poland.

We are consistently making investments in our rolling stock. In just a few years, we will have one of the largest and most modern fleets of maintenance trains in Europe. This will result in an increase in safety, efficiency and comfort for our employees. By modernising the maintenance trains, we will be better prepared for the challenges of railway development – both the investments of Polish State Railways (PKP) and those related to the Solidarity Transport Hub. It is worth noting that the programme is also about environmental protection – a smaller carbon footprint, both due to the process of modernising the already existing fleet and its daily operation,”– concluded Wojciech Orzech, President of PKP Energetyka.

The programme to modernise the fleet of maintenance trains is part of the responsible business strategy implemented by PKP Energetyka in terms of caring for the environment. Retrofitting one train saves an average of 50 tons of waste and avoids the emission of 200 tons of CO2 required to produce a new train. In addition, the project extends the life cycle of the machinery, making it possible to reuse more than 2,000 tons of metals and other components.

New vehicle standard

Every retrofitted train is broken down into about 10,000 parts, each of which is inspected and refurbished or replaced. The most important changes are:

• changing the drive from mechanical to hydrostatic, which provides greater cushioning and a smoother driving experience,
• installation of new-generation equipment, including: electrical, automation and hydraulic systems. 100% of the installations are to be replaced,
• expansion of diagnostic and monitoring systems,
• renovation of the cabin, platforms, carts, cranes and adjustment units. As part of this process, their components are replaced to upgrade and standardise the equipment,
• improving work comfort through LED lighting and air conditioning,
• innovative predictive solutions are being tested on selected trains, including those in Łódź and Zduńska Wola, which monitor the probability of train system faults in real time and perform systematic network measurements.

Modernisation also means standardisation. As a result, the company reduces the storage of parts and provides a faster and more efficient service, which ultimately increases the quality of catenary-related services.

During the modernisation, the knowledge and experience of employees and the railway construction potential of the PKP Energetyka Capital Group are used. Repairs take place inside the plants in Strzemieszyce and Słotwiny. The metamorphosis of one machine takes several months of work by a team of nearly 100 people, coordinated by the company's 30 engineers and fitters. Implementation of the programme will increase the value of PKP Energetyka's fleet of maintenance trains to more than PLN 0.5 billion.