Softly, softly: Swiss rail carrier opts for quiet brakes
By the end of 2019, SBB Cargo’s roughly 5,000 freight wagons will be equipped with low-noise brakes and be able to operate freely on the entire Swiss rail network.
For this purpose, the wagons’ braking systems were retrofitted and the grey iron brake shoes were replaced by the new K shoes (composite brake shoes) as part of the programme to reduce noise emissions. The freight wagons now comply with the most recent noise limits prescribed by European legislation (TSI noise up to the level of 83 db(A)), the Swiss carrier says.
SBB Cargo’s wagons were rebuilt in SSB workshops and newly acquired wagons were put into service straight from the factory with the new low-noise systems already installed. As from 1 January 2020 the Swiss Confederation will ban the use of non-retrofitted freight wagons on the Swiss rail network. (ben)