Sustainable service: Knorr-Bremse safeguards operation of Swedish express train line
- Knorr-Bremse has signed a long-term service agreement with A-Train AB covering the brake control units on Arlanda Express trains serving Stockholm Airport
- By providing a customized service package, Knorr-Bremse is helping to keep the existing brake control units up and running until at least the end of 2028
- Important contribution to increasing the availability of this key rail connection for passengers
Knorr-Bremse has signed an important service agreement with A-Train AB, operator of Sweden’s iconic Arlanda Express. This will safeguard the operation of the express trains that carry a large part of the traffic to and from Stockholm Arlanda Airport. The deal once again demonstrates Knorr-Bremse’s expertise as a provider of solutions for maintaining fleet operability, and helps to deliver reliable rail mobility for travelers in the Stockholm region.
Frank Uder, Vice President RailServices of Knorr-Bremse Rail Vehicle Systems: “Knorr-Bremse RailServices supports customers as a highly reliable partner, providing comprehensive services for sustainable train operations and efficient fleet maintenance over the entire rail vehicle life cycle. This order for the Arlanda Express – one of Stockholm’s major mobility options – highlights the rail sector’s growing need for customized service solutions that keep rail operations efficient and available for passengers.”
Two modules with one goal: to safeguard sustainable rail travel
The service contract, which runs to the end of 2028, comprises two modules. First, a refreshment service (for overhauls) that will extend the operating lifetime of the braking systems by reducing failure rates and so help to enable smooth, trouble-free train operation. Second, a proactive obsolescence management service to ensure the availability of electronic components, for example by stockpiling discontinued parts. This will support the timely repair and reliable operation of the braking systems over the long term.
For the Arlanda Express trains that transport travelers between the city and the airport at speeds of up to 200 km/h (125 mph), these services are vitally important. The trains’ braking systems have been in operation for over 20 years and are increasingly affected by the discontinuation of electronic components. A challenge which Knorr-Bremse’s service package now overcomes as part of a holistic approach to rail vehicle life cycle management.
Making travel available by securing critical components
Knorr-Bremse’s Parts Availability Service offers customers tailormade service packages that fulfil their requirements for smooth, reliable train operation. Since the service was introduced about two years ago, a double-digit number of customers have ordered optimized packages, including A-Train AB. Over the same period, sales of Knorr-Bremse’s Parts Availability Service packages have increased by 67%, reflecting the sector’s growing need for flexible solutions over the whole rail vehicle life cycle.
RailServices: end-to-end life-cycle management for rail vehicles
With a customer-centric service portfolio, Knorr-Bremse RailServices enables efficient, future-proof train fleets worldwide. In addition to the availability solutions covered by the RailServices support motto “Keep your fleet RUNNING”, Knorr-Bremse offers customers many other service packages. These include solutions for improving trains’ environmental footprint (e.g. by retrofitting eco-friendly technologies), solutions for optimizing processes (e.g. maintenance and service processes) and solutions for modernizing train fleets (e.g. by installing product and system upgrades).