© Céline Eischen
The national railway company (CFL) is renewing 27 kilometres of track between Roodt and Wecker in just three weeks, using a one-kilometre-long Austrian machine train that replaces rails, sleepers, and track ballast around the clock.
The railway line between Roodt and Wecker is currently undergoing major renewal works, with rails, sleepers and track ballast being replaced.
The 6.7-kilometre section has been closed for just three weeks – a short timeframe in which almost 27 kilometres of track must be renewed. To achieve this, highly specialised equipment is needed, namely the RUS 1000 S, a track-laying machine train from Austria that stretches nearly a kilometre in length.
Although the line is closed during the project, RTL was able to step onto the track in full safety gear to see the giant machine in action. Unlike an ordinary train, the RUS 1000 S can, in a single pass, lift away the rails, remove the old sleepers, clean and screen the track ballast, and reinstall the materials with precision. It is being used in Luxembourg for the very first time.
Gertjan Van Niftrik of the Austrian company Swietelsky, which developed and operates the train, explained that the system removes rails and sleepers, runs the track ballast through a screening unit inside the machine, puts back the suitable stones, and transports away material that is too small to be reused.
Described as the most advanced track-laying machine in Europe, it is essential given the workload and tight deadlines. Laurent François, the CFL project manager, noted that the team is renewing two stretches of 6.7 kilometres of track, representing a total of 27 kilometres of rails, along with 22,000 sleepers, while also cleaning the track ballast and adding 6,700 tonnes of new stones.
Huge logistical effort
Bringing such a machine to Luxembourg is a major logistical effort. It is hauled by locomotive from one construction site to another across Europe, accompanied by a crew of around 40 who operate it and stay in local hotels during projects.
CFL spokesperson Alessandra Nonnweiler underlined that such works are planned years in advance, requiring European tenders and detailed preparation beginning about six months before the start of works.
The project is running 24/7 in three shifts to ensure the line reopens in time for the start of the school year on 15 September. So far, everything is on schedule.
The renewal train itself moves at a speed of about 150 metres per hour. Rails must generally be replaced every 20 to 30 years.
