DB InfraGO has granted approval for the use of Vossloh’s SoniQ Rail Explorer, a mobile ultrasonic testing trolley designed for rail inspection. The decision, which supplements compliance verification already issued by DB Systemtechnik, clears the final hurdle for the system’s deployment across Deutsche Bahn’s network.
The approval comes after three years of successful operation of the SoniQ Rail Explorer by several European and Asian railways.
Advanced ultrasonic testing
Developed in partnership with the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS) in Dresden, the SoniQ Rail Explorer offers highly accurate and efficient rail inspections. In a single pass, the trolley can detect and locate internal flaws, corrosion in the rail base, and irregularities in weld seams.
This makes the device particularly suitable for monitoring specific track sections, switches, crossings, level crossings, and station tracks. The technology is also designed to pinpoint the exact position of previously identified defects, supporting targeted maintenance interventions.
Inspection results are displayed in real time through A and B scan options and can be combined with camera imagery. Data transfer is flexible, with options including USB, SD card, or direct transmission via LTE/WiFi, enabling seamless integration into digitalised maintenance workflows.
Easy to deploy
Weighing around 20 kilograms, the SoniQ Rail Explorer is designed for portability and ease of use. It can be transported in a standard estate car and carried to the track by a single person.
The system’s main control unit is a rugged tablet computer that displays inspection data clearly, supported by nine ultrasonic probes integrated into the test wheel. Probes can be activated or deactivated individually, allowing operators to focus on specific flaws as required.
The trolley can operate in either direction and is capable of capturing optional surface images during inspection runs. An all-round maintenance service based in Leipzig ensures quick turnaround times for servicing and inspection, providing operators with reliability and planning security.
According to Vossloh, the SoniQ Rail Explorer represents a step forward in both technology and ergonomics for ultrasonic testing in rail networks.
Marcel Taubert, Managing Director of Vossloh Rail Services, said:
“The SoniQ Rail Explorer takes rail maintenance to a new level. It combines the latest inspection technology with simple, ergonomic operation – and all in a compact system that can be deployed anywhere. The SoniQ Rail Explorer is another example of the success we’ve achieved in aspiring to get practical digital solutions out onto the track.”
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