Getting on the right track

Rail is rapidly becoming more paramount to the transportation sector as passenger and freight activity is predicted to double by 2050. This growth means a greater energy demand and increased CO2 emissions and atmospheric pollutants. Experts believe it can serve as a sustainable alternative for short-distance air travel and, conventional and freight rail can comple-ment other transport modes to provide efficient mobility. Therefore, greater reliance is now being put on the rail industry. 

For the transition to rail to happen efficiently, Schaeffler has developed innovative solutions and services to help make rail transportation more sustainable, reliable, and predictable. Higher reliability is one of the rail sector’s key requirements, es-pecially regarding systems and components. Schaeffler is developing an improved Y25 housing, including WJ/WJP bearings, in the form of a digitalised, interactive axle box bearing for freight cars. The optimised product is designed for an axle load of up to 25 tons, providing countless benefits for the operator, such as higher payloads being possible thanks to the lower tare weight and the durability of the bearing being increased again. 

The search for ecologically and economically sustainable solutions, is also one of the major drivers of innovation in the man-ufacture and operation of rail vehicles. Schaeffler looks to provide the answer with its reconditioning service for axle box bearings. 

The automotive and industrial supplier combines ecological and economic potentials of reconditioning in its 100 per cent return service. This service is tailored flexibly to the respective customer requirements. For each bearing that Schaeffler takes into its professional reconditioning process as part of the maintenance service, the customer gets back a fully function-ing, reconditioned or new bearing regardless of its condition. It's already a winner! The Schaeffler service received the “Rail-sponsible Supplier Award” last year for its 100 per cent return service in the category “Climate change and circular econ-omy”. Further showcasing how the data-based reconditioning concept contributes to achieving sustainability and climate goals. 

Learn more about Schaeffler’s latest rail products and services here