Today Pfleiderer track systems has signed a contract with representatives of the Chinese Ministry of Railways (MoR) for the transfer of ultramodern railway technology to China. The agreement contains all usufructuary rights to the RHEDA 2000® ballastless track technology for the sovereign territory of the People’s Republic of China. The transfer includes training of Chinese specialists in Europe and in their country.

It is further planned for Pfleiderer track systems to act as prime contractor within a group of European companies that intend to support the implementation of RHEDA 2000 ballastless systems in the People’s Republic of China – with emphasis on ensuring the execution of this technology in China on a high engineering and quality level. The initial project for this group of companies, consisting of Pfleiderer track systems, Eich-holz, Heitkamp, and the Dutch Royal BAM Group, will be planning and constructing the new double-track line from Wuhan to Guangzhou, in the southeast region of China.

Of the entire 989km of this high-speed rail line, it is planned to execute the majority in RHEDA 2000. This represents by far the largest ballastless track undertaking to be executed in China with the participation of foreign companies. It is planned to put the high-speed line into operation in 2010. The huge country of China furthermore offers an enormous potential for further development of its rail system: especially the approximately 12,000km of an already existing high-speed rail network – the Passenger Dedicated Lines (PDLs). Germany, leading in addition to Japan in the implementation of ballastless track technology, has since 1972 installed in its own country approximately 800km of track in ballastless technology.

For the planning and construction of RHEDA 2000 track in China, Pfleiderer track systems with its affiliated companies also offers Chinese railway operators support in construction of the future ballastless line in addition to expert consulting in planning and engineering. More than two million special RHEDA 2000 bi-block sleepers are planned for installation on this line. For these efforts, Pfleiderer track systems will provide its production plant technology to Chinese sleeper manufacturers within the context of a joint venture. For the subsequent installation work, these companies will supply special machines for the installation and alignment of the RHEDA 2000 tracks directly onto the rail line. The installation technology to be used will be primarily oriented on the basis of the comprehensive results and experience earlier gained on the Dutch high-speed line HSL ZUID.

For optimal execution of the project, Pfleiderer track systems will found an in-country subsidiary in China. The company will provide specialists who will assure smooth project execution in addition to planning and engineering.

For Hans Bachmann, Executive Vice President of Pfleiderer track systems, this project is additional convincing evidence that the company, as the technologically leading systems provider for railway infrastructure, can effectively tap attractive international market potentials. He said, “This rail line, the corporate concept, and the decision to go with our RHEDA 2000 ballastless track technology will all have a signal effect on further high-speed lines in the international railway sector.”