ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) is testing the DAC demonstration train – automatic digital coupling, considered a key technology for the future of rail freight transport in Europe.
The DAC demonstration train is being used to test the systems associated with this technology under real operating conditions, further develop them, and prepare them for series production. Winter tests currently underway in Austria show that the technology works reliably even under extreme conditions.
This technology replaces the manual screw coupling used since imperial times and automates the coupling process, which until now was physically demanding and time-consuming.
In addition, DAC not only connects freight cars mechanically and pneumatically (via compressed air brake lines), but also provides continuous power and data lines.
DAC demonstration train enters practical testing
After intensive technical preparations and the integration of coupling systems from different manufacturers, the DAC (Digital Automatic Coupling) demonstration train was put into operation to test the interaction between mechanical, electrical, and data transmission components under real conditions and to verify that the systems work together between different manufacturers. The goal is not only to make automatic coupling mechanically and pneumatically reliable, but also to ensure digital data and power transmission throughout the entire freight train.
In this way, DAC lays the foundation for automatic brake testing and, in the future, other digital applications. It is therefore a central component for increasing the efficiency, competitiveness, and safety of rail freight transport in Europe.
During a three-week test phase, the demonstration train for Digital Automatic Coupling was deliberately exposed to extreme weather conditions. Temperatures as low as minus 15°C, freezing rain, and fresh snow accompanied the tests carried out at the Schwarzach-St. Veit railway station in the Pongau region of Salzburg, Austria.
The tests focused on repeated mechanical coupling, electrical uncoupling at the touch of a button, and the functioning of air and data connections – essential for safe braking and stable data transmission. Particular attention was paid to the possible effects of cold, snow, and ice on lubricants, seals, and electrical contacts.
In addition, the train was parked for ten days in Böckstein under realistic conditions to simulate longer periods of inactivity typical of rail freight operations. Snow was deliberately allowed to penetrate all relevant components in order to identify any weak points.
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