(14/09/2017) 

This fully automatic digital workshop for the maintenance of freight wagons is already operational and is the world´s most advanced railway maintenance solution of its kind.

The site of the workshop, which is located in a remote area some 1,700 kilometres from the nearest town, was chosen because of its proximity to the railway line where mine trains cover their route. In addition to normal wear of their service life, the wagons are exposed to the rigours of the climate.

The workshop repairs the wagons that transport minerals from mining areas to port terminals without the need of human intervention other than for programming, maintenance and inspection activities. The wagons that enter the facility are disassembled, repaired and subsequently reassembled in a fully automated way.

The workshop

The workshop is divided into four distinct areas, each equipped with its own equipment and automatic handling systems for maintenance work on the wagons, bogies and wheelsets.

The assembly is composed of a main line for inspection and disassembly, a bogie repair shop, a wheel maintenance area and a body-repair workshop. The facility also carries out the final inspection of all parts and reports information on the manufacture process of each component.