The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) have big plans for the coming years. Among other things, night train connections to European cities are to be expanded. As an important supplier for the production of the new night trains, Photon is part of this forward-looking project.
More night trains as a contribution to climate protection
Once the coronavirus pandemic has subsided, ÖBB's Nightjet will enable travelers to reach their destinations in an environmentally friendly, fast, and comfortable manner. This puts ÖBB right on trend, as night trains are an important step toward more climate-friendly mobility.
Investments of 500 million euros
By the end of 2022, the Siemens plant in Vienna-Simmering initially, 13 new next-generation Nightjets, each with seven carriages, will be manufactured for ÖBB. Further orders could follow. ÖBB plans to invest a total of €500 million in night trains over the next few years.
Photon brings in-depth expertise to the table
Photon is part of this promising project. At the Photon location in Berlin-Spandau, the roof transitions, climate and roof pans, and side wall sheets for the new Nightjets are manufactured. The key factor in the collaboration with Siemens was Photon's long-standing expertise in manufacturing train components, particularly in the field of laser beam welding. For example, the sidewall and roof segments, as well as the crossbars and cross members for the roof and undercarriage of the fourth-generation ICE train cars have been manufactured at Photon for yearsBut even forming by means of deep drawing is among the photon competencies that have been successfully used in rail vehicle construction for years – for example in the production of train heads.