The Timken Company is supplying a journal bearing assembly and housing for the new PROTOS train in Germany.
Designed to reduce friction in the train's wheels, the customized unit consists of tapered roller bearings mounted in a radial arm housing. The pre- assembled, pre-lubricated and sealed bearings are fitted to the train axle and positioned in the housing within the bogie frame.
The PROTOS is a low-floor multiple-car train that reaches speeds of 160 kilometers per hour as it travels regionally. FTD Fahrzeugtechnik Dessau AG in Dessau, Germany, developed and builds both a diesel and an electric version of the train for sale to European railway operators. FTD will introduce the train at the InnoTrans rail fair in Berlin, Germany, in September 2006.
"We use everything we know about friction management to deliver a fully integrated customized system that is easier to install," said Mat Happach, Timken's vice president - rail. "And, we were able to do it quickly to meet the customer's need to launch the new train."
FTD chose Timken as a supplier because of its reputation for quality and the company's ability to deliver an integrated system that met an ambitious production schedule. FTD was driving to fulfill an order of five two-car PROTOS electric trains to a private railway company in the Netherlands for operation beginning in September 2007. FTD specializes in developing, designing and building a variety of rail vehicles. The company's capabilities are founded on a century of experience in the wagon works industry. Its customers include many major European rail operators and manufacturers.