On 10.Sept. 2005, the Warsaw mass transit company (Tramwaje Warszawskie Sp. z o.o.) has signed the contract with Windhoff Bahn- und Anlagentechnik GmbH for the delivery of a rail grinding vehicle for the trolley system's rail net in Warsaw.

This rail grinding vehicle SF 50 will be used for the cleaning and grinding of rail faces as well as for rail face finishing, which effects substantial noise reduction from the trolleys. The removal of rail corrugation also yields improved traction and braking for increased overall operational safety. Regular grinding and finishing has an economic aspect, too. The rail tracks feature a longer service life and wear at the trolley wheels is reduced. The grinding vehicle runs on two bogies. The 400 kW drive motors are supplied via the overhead catenary. The vehicle's high tractive power also allows for the towing of disabled trolleys. In addition to earlier vehicles from this series, Windhoff Bahn- und Anlagentechnik GmbH has fitted this vehicle with spray systems for the dispensing of herbicides to suppress weed growth at the tracks. Further to this, a water spraying installation is provided for watering of green areas, and there is a snow shield for use in winter operations. The vehicle is designed for a max. speed of 50 km/h. Thus it can 'float along' in the normal trolley traffic - also when grinding - without hampering normal traffic.

For Windhoff Bahn- und Anlagentechnik GmbH this contract is première event as it will be the first delivery of a rail grinding vehicle to an eastern European country, and it may be the start of extensive business to this region and beyond.

A similar vehicle was delivered to the VAG Nürnberg:

Project manager: U. Bröckers
Rheine, September 2005