Voith will supply Westfälische Landes-Eisenbahn (WLE) 30 CargoFlex wagon couplers and two hybrid couplers, the digital automatic couplers for the first DAC train to enter commercial freight transport in Germany. This delivery is part of the European pilot project DAC4EU.
As part of this pioneering reference project, a further 13 freight wagons and one locomotive are to be equipped with Voith DAC by the end of the year. The aim of the DAC4EU project is to demonstrate, test and approve the DAC for rail freight transport.
“We are delighted that DAC4EU is relying on our expertise for this exciting project. In this way, we also gain valuable practical experience and prove that the DAC is suitable for use in this demanding application,” Kay-Uwe Kolshorn, Project Manager at Voith, said.
The couplers can be uncoupled manually via an uncoupling device on the wagon side. They offer continuous power and data supply between the wagons via the additionally supplied e-couplers. This will enable future train functions such as the automatic brake test, which was developed in cooperation with the Austrian company PJM. Further functions, including automatic detection of train length, wagon sequence and train integrity, are planned for later operation. The first four couplers have already been delivered, with the rest to follow successively by fall 2025.
WLE has been operating the first pairs of wagons with digital automatic couplers (DAC) in commercial service since March 2025.
WLE operates its own rail network of around 120 kilometers and transports around 1.4 million tons of goods annually, mainly limestone and cement. With the newly equipped train with digital automatic couplers, the company is using DAC in commercial freight transport within the EU for the first time.
Offering a stable data link via its integrated e-coupler, Voith’s CargoFlex powers full-scale freight digitisation. Company’s CargoFlex is the key to digital, intelligent, and connected rail freight. CargoFlex hybrid couplers for locomotives allow the head to be moved to the automatic and manual position as required, enabling draw hook coupling and automatic coupling alike.
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