Grinding the rails reduces vibrations and noise emissions during operation, increases ride comfort and safety, and keeps the running surface in optimal condition.

Since 2020, Plasser ATMO has developed from a theoretical concept into a tool for preventive rail care tried-and-tested in practice. It has already been deployed on more than 350 kilometres of track in five European cities, helping to reduce noise and vibrations, and extending the service life of the rails thanks to its innovative technology.

Vienna: first practical tests with different grinding stone hardnesses

The deployment at Wiener Linien starting in the summer of 2020 was the first real-life field test at a transport company. Different grinding stone hardnesses were tested for removing corrugation using both sliding grinding and oscillating grinding. The positive effects on noise emissions were as expected and achieved faster with oscillating grinding.

Odense: Plasser ATMO and the tram

In the autumn of 2022, Plasser ATMO operated outside of Austria for the first time in Odense, Denmark. Here, the main reason for deployment were contaminated rails. Plasser ATMO was operated in combination with a tram for the first time. The results were more than satisfying: in the course of preventive rail grinding, the rail surface was improved, significantly reducing vibrations and therefore also noise emissions and shocks. Complaints of lineside residents, which were a reason for the deployment, were successfully addressed.

Work was carried out over a distance of 28 kilometres in several night shifts. Its optional use in combination with a tram demonstrates the special flexibility of the concept.

Graz: Plasser ATMO and ROBEL ROSPECT in the end-to-end process

Plasser ATMO can be used both individually and combined with inspection devices. In May 2024, the ROBEL ROSPECT was deployed together with Plasser ATMO to record the rail condition before and after grinding. This has two advantages: being able to optimally set the parameters for sliding grinding as well as for oscillating grinding, and to precisely document the results.

Various deployment scenarios were played out at the Smart City and Wetzelsdorf sites. In Smart City, where the rail condition was good from the start, the quality of the rail surface could be measurably optimized, whereas the corrugation present in Wetzelsdorf led to increased noise pollution. Maintenance work with Plasser ATMO reduced it by 40%, which was documented objectively by the ROBEL ROSPECT used in the joint operation.

Cologne: testing the removal rate of Plasser ATMO

In September 2024, Plasser ATMO worked on the KVB network for a week with the aim of testing the grinding trailer’s operational capability and removal rate, and evaluating further application scenarios. First, a test route of 6 kilometres between Longerich and Niehl was travelled six times in round trip operation. Towed by a ROBEL track vehicle, various deployment scenarios were played out.

Obing: successfully combining milling and grinding

During the most recent deployment in November 2024 in Obing (Germany), Plasser ATMO worked on the rails of an abandoned heavy rail line for test purposes. Joint operation with a rail-profiling milling machine was tested using a ROBEL ROMILL CMS. It became apparent that grinding with Plasser ATMO significantly reduces the corrugation caused during milling.

Machine demonstrations in Malmö and Stuttgart

In addition to the deployments in Austria, Germany, and Denmark, Plasser ATMO was presented in machine demonstrations at Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG in Germany and Skånetrafiken in Malmö, Sweden.

Plasser ATMO impresses in various environments

The interim results of the five international deployments are extremely positive. The Plasser ATMO grinding trailer has proved itself in a wide variety of settings. These include small radii, different traction vehicles, and train formations – either towed, pushed, or a combination of both. Plasser ATMO is versatile and can be used with grooved rails as well as Vignoles rails, and with different rail hardnesses. Combined with ROBEL ROSPECT, Plasser ATMO can be integrated into a seamless end-to-end process that provides network operating companies with full transparency on the success of their work. The positive findings from practical deployments emphasize how versatile and reliable the Plasser ATMO grinding trailer is.

As part of the Plasser & Theurer portfolio, the vehicle is an option for any interested urban transport operator.

You can find more information about Plasser Urban Rail Maintenance as a Service on this page.