Bachmann Consult

We are on track

We are on track

We are on track

Overview of our services

TRACK SYSTEMS PLANNING AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

  • Railway track design
  • Project management
  • Value engineering

BALLASTLESS TRACK

  • Systems engineering
  • Installation technology
  • Construction supervision
  • Special assignments

CONCRETE SLEEPERS

  • Sleeper design
  • Planning for production and plant engineering
  • Procurement of material and plant facilities

Ballastless track: specifications and installation technology

Ballasted or ballastless track?

Starting with the beginning of the age of modern railways, trains moved on ballast, sleepers, and rails. The great success of this track system was based on its physical characteristics. But: the required track maintenance work is expensive and also has a negative effect on line availability for continuous operation. For these reasons, we – primarily engineers in Germany and Japan – have been working for approx. 50 years on track systems without ballast. By now, and on the basis of its permanently unchanged track geometry, this new system has become permanently established as standard technology for urban transportation, high-speed rail traffic, and for a number of special applications.

System technology and selection

Numerous system variants are available for the user’s selection. As experts for ballastless track, with more than 20 years of experience in this technology, we at Bachmann Consult can make the optimal selection of technologies available, to exploit the benefits of this advanced track system, with respect to both technical and economic aspects. And if systems-engineering adaptation or modifications are necessary, we conduct the necessary analyses and verification procedures – for high-speed lines, in urban transportation networks, or on extremely heavy-haul-capable lines for freight transport.

Technology: exact to the millimetre over the entire line

We at Bachmann Consult analyse the requirements and environmental conditions, and prepare methods of optimal track installation results. For the efficient, precise installation of ballastless track, we developed special machines – for example, for the ZUID High-Speed Line in Holland – that we later used for construction of the Chinese high-speed rail lines. By application-oriented re-engineering, we at Bachmann Consult optimized the required special solutions for the applications encountered: e.g., for projects with narrow tunnels.  

Construction supervision

For correct application of the prescribed installation methods, in accordance with Method Statements, and by local construction companies, we conduct staff training onsite and supervise the installation – which assures final installation quality. Bachmann Consult likewise offers, as neutral engineering office, professional project supervision. We have also developed special solutions for technological applications: for example, typical and special tunnel projects.

Special assignments

Problems and mistakes are often unavoidable in track installation. In the event that damages later become apparent in ballastless track – such as cracks in the concrete – a great number and variety of causes can be at work. In such cases, Bachmann Consult supports you in cause analysis, damage assessment and supervision, and if required in the choice of optimal correction methods.

Taiwan High Speed Projekt

Pioneering innovation: For the Taiwan High Speed Project, BWG for the first time installed high-speed-capable turnouts for ballastless track on bridges. The image here shows special construction necessary to compensate for movements in the bridge substructure.

Projects in Holland and Taiwan laid the foundation

Important milestones in the development and application of Rheda 2000® ballastless track were the first major projects HSL ZUID in Holland and HSL Taipei-Kaoshiung in Taiwan. These projects established the basis for introduction of now the internationally most widely used form of track.

Highspeedline ZUID Holland

The ZUID High-Speed Line in Holland: use of Rheda 2000® ballastless track

LITTLE MAINTENANCE, GREAT AVAILABILITY, AND CONSTANT RIDE COMFORT.

To assure these three key points, the Chinese Ministry of Railways decided in 2004 for the expansion of its Passenger Dedicated Line – its PDL Network – exclusively with ballastless track technology. From the beginning of construction work in 2006 to late 2014, approx. 14,000 km of PDL lines was completed. This breathtaking development was supported by technology transfer with three German and one Japanese track technology systems.

China in 2014 - Wuhan-Guangzhou line

China in 2014: the Wuhan-Guangzhou line (1000 km) under construction

Wuxi Station, China

All stations for CRH trains are equipped with ballastless tracks

Ballastless track projects

TRACK CONSTRUCTION

PDL Gui

China: Gui Guang: PDL Gui

PDL Gui

China: Gui Guang: PDL Gui

Peking: South Station

Beijing: South Station

India: Viaduct in Damel

India: Viaduct in Damel

SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY

Taiwan: Track Construction

Taiwan: Track Construction

Hong Kong: Bi-Block-System

Hong Kong: Bi-Block-System

Singapore: turnout system

Singapore: Turnout system

Taiwan: Cross-Camplate

Taiwan: Cross-Camplate

CONSTRUCTION OF MACHINES AND PLANT FACILITIES

Hongkong: XRL 830

Hongkong: XRL 830

Hongkong: XRL 830

Hongkong: XRL 830

Hongkong: XRL 830

Hongkong: XRL 830

Hongkong: XRL 830

Hongkong: XRL 830

BALLASTLESS TRACK: BACHMANN CONSULT SUPPORT AND SERVICES

  • Analysis of requirements and conditions
  • Selection of technology
  • Optimal exploitation of technical and economic benefits
  • Development of ideal installation technology (based on Method Statements)
  • Specifications for special machines
  • Project management
  • Staff training for track installation
  • Construction supervision
  • Quality assurance
  • Training and supervision of and with the client’s staff
  • Project-specific adaptation to special environmental conditions
  • Detection, assessment, and rectification of damages

As our client, we provide you with supplier-neutral professional consulting and support, in accordance with best engineering practice: this is our goal.

Bachmann Consult

  • Overview
  • Personality
  • Publications and memberships
  • Patents

Services

Track systems planning:
Value engineering and project management
Railway track design and dimensioning

Ballastless track:
Installation technology
Project supervision

Concrete sleepers:
Product design and production plant planning
Procurement and erection

Special projects:

Damage assessment and repair
Local project management

Reference projects

Design and engineering services
for construction projects

Concrete sleepers:
Sleeper design and Production plant planning

International procurement of
Material, components, and equipment