Unimog brings the shine back to Deutsche Bahn trains.
The Unimog is just the ticket for wagon cleaning at Deutsche Bahn. Longer long-distance trains regularly need to be given a new polish. In addition to perfect timing, substantial power is required particularly for the high towing loads – especially when pulling away.
This is why the latest generation of Unimog tends to the trains at the Pferdeturm shunt yard in Hanover, Germany. The versatile road-rail Unimog, specially equipped for rail traffic, tows the group of wagons into the washing facility. The best part of it is that the Unimog U 423 can tow the train through the washing facility at just the right speed to make the exterior as clean as if it came fresh out of the depot.
Smooth going through the washing facility.
Long-distance trains accumulate a fair amount of dirt on their long journey through Germany, so Deutsche Bahn employees tackle that in the train washing facility. This is often done at night or in the evening hours when scheduling permits.
In principle, exterior cleaning of the trains is similar to that of cleaning in a large car washing facility: the train passes by high-pressure nozzles and washing brushes while being towed slowly through the facility. "The key is to maintain an even speed in order to guarantee good, uniform cleaning results," explains Marian Meyer, head of DB shunting operations and train preparation in Hanover.
It's an easy task for the Unimog: thanks to the factory-fitted torque converter clutch, the Unimog shunts the trains smoothly with no wear even when handling high towing capacities.
