- Commission worth roughly EUR 4 million awarded
- Construction of overhead catenary line for ÖBB-Infrastruktur on Styrian line section
- A variety of challenges when working on partly tunnelled track
With the new construction of the overhead catenary system between the Puntigam and Wundschuh stations south of Graz, EQOS Energie will make an important contribution to the Koralm railway line on behalf of ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG. The contract volume is close to EUR 4 million. The comprehensive electrification work of the section covers almost nine kilometres of track.
Bernhard Schuller, head of the Catenary Systems Austria profit center in the Railway Technology division, outlines what tasks will await his team: “The work is very diverse. It involves the installation of about 200 masts on the open track and in the trough area. On a three-kilometre long tunnelled section of the line, drilling work, the relocation of anchors and the installation of the conductor rail are to be performed. We will also execute undergrounding work throughout the tunnel and on the open track. Around 12 kilometres of overhead line and 30 kilometres of reinforcement lines and return conductors must also be installed. Measurement runs, inspections and commissioning will conclude the project.”
The 130-kilometre Koralm railway line between Graz and Klagenfurt is part of the new Austrian southern route and therefore also an important component of the Baltic-Adriatic corridor.
Know-how puts EQOS Energie in pole position
The construction of overhead line systems is a core area of expertise of EQOS Energie. With more than 20 years of experience in this field, the company is able to provide all services from a single source. “At the start of 2021, we started a similar project with the electrification of the Pottendorf line. Therefore, we are familiar with the requirements and were able to contribute our know-how during the creation of the concept for handling and scheduling”, said Carsten Kuhle, managing director of Railway Technology at EQOS Energie.
Work on the Koralm railway line will start in January 2023, while preparatory work and project planning have already begun. Then, up to ten motivated EQOS Energie fitters will implement the project on the Styrian line section.