ZSSK CARGO leader in railway noise reduction in Slovakia

In 2019, ZSSK CARGO successfully received a grant of EUR 512,000 from the EC – Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) to partially cover the cost of retrofitting of freight wagons to LL brake blocks. A total of 2,050 ZSSK CARGO wagons will be retrofitted between April 2019 and the end of December 2021.

As a result of social pressure, the European Commission has adopted incentive measures to reduce the noise emissions generated by the operation of freight wagons within the EU in recent years. The most important are the measures of Noise TSI, laying down the obligation to establish quieter lines and the operation of so-called silent wagons as per December 2024. In addition, some countries proceed to earlier restrictions on the operation of wagons not meeting the characteristics of silent wagons (or the negative financial impact of such operation). The most effective solution for keepers of freight wagons is the retrofitting of existing wagons, i.e. replacement of cast-iron brake blocks with LL type composite brake blocks. This technical solution reduces rail noise by up to 10 dB, making 50% of the noise heard by man.

Before the start of this retrofitting action, ZSSK CARGO had 702 silent wagons, of which 550 were newly manufactured wagons equipped with K brake blocks and 152 wagons retrofitted with LL brake blocks. At the end of this action, ZSSK CARGO rolling stock shall include 2 752 silent wagons, which will be primarily used to cover transport volumes especially in the direction to   Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the Czech Republic and from 2024 throughout the EU.

In order to optimize costs, it was decided that the retrofitting would be carried out during the wagons´ stay in the workshops for their corrective or preventive maintenance. ZSSK CARGO uses all its workshops as well as external workshops for the realization of the retrofitting.

ZSSK CARGO continuously monitors and evaluates the whole process both for its own needs and for the purpose of providing the state of ongoing achieved technical progress for the EC and its Agency INEA.