RCG develops modular freight wagon innovation TransANT

Productivity and efficiency set new standards in rail logistics
Prototype development together with voestalpine using high-strength lightweight steels with the "alform-welding-system"

The Rail Cargo Group impresses in the rail logistics sector with its high quality, many years of expertise and a strong international network. TransANT has been jointly developed with a sound understanding of the needs of a wide variety of industries and customer segments, coupled with excellent in-house experience and the materials know-how of the voestalpine Group. With this completely new platform concept, RCG is creating a new standard in the freight transport market - in the interest of its customers and in the interest of the competitiveness of rail as a mode of transport.

The advantages at a glance

Demand on the market is for modular lightweight construction concepts, transporting different superstructures on standardized platform wagons according to customer needs. The equipment innovation offers a more cargo load advantage of up to 4 tonnes - made possible, among other things, by the 20 percent lighter underframe. The standardized platform is available in different lengths between 33 and 70 feet and the modular superstructures are available in various industry-specific versions. The superstructure changes thus make it possible to adapt to changing logistical requirements. In contrast to other modular equipment concepts, with superstructures TransANT can be used without restriction in conventional single wagon transport. The intelligent interface between superstructure and carrying wagon enables roll-off carrying capacity and the carrying wagon can be used as a container carrying wagon for intermodal transport without superstructure. The preparation for automatic coupling ensures future optimisation and automation of railway operations.

Complete lightweight solution for rail sector

voestalpine is already regarded as a pioneer in the field of high-strength lightweight components, particularly in the automotive sector. With the TransANT project, the technology and industrial goods group is now also translating its expertise in this area into the rail sector. For the innovative platform wagon, the company is supplying a complete system consisting of high-strength steel components and corresponding welding technology, which makes a significant contribution to weight reduction and versatility of the wagon.

From innovation to name

The product advantages of TransANT have analogies in nature - especially with the power animal ant. Flexible, strong, organized, social, adaptable, hard-working, enduring - these are the attributes of the ant that perfectly match the advantages of the RCG's new wagon innovation. The animal lifts a multiple of its own body weight, so this basic idea flowed into the construction.

Launch-Event in Linz

Wolfgang Mitterdorfer, Member of the Management Board of the Steel Division of the voestalpine Group, and RCG Management Board members Clemens Först and Thomas Kargl presented TransANT to around 100 interested customers, trade journalists and partners at the exclusive pre-launch at the voestalpine location in Linz. In addition, the platform truck will also be exhibited at the Innotrans trade fair in Berlin from 18 to 21 September (exhibition stand in Hall B, CityCube / 521, outdoor area Track 8/401).