SUW 2000
SUW 2000 is a type of variable gauge system that allows a train to travel across a railway break-of-gauge.
The SUW 2000 design is manufactured by Polish company ZNTK PoznaĆ for Polish State Railways (PKP). It is used at two border stations, enabling through trains to Lithuania and Ukraine to proceed, without the need for lengthy bogie exchange.
Similar, but incompatible, systems are produced by Talgo (Talgo-RD) and Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF-BRAVA). The SUW 2000 is interoperable only with Rafil Type V systems.[1]
As of February 2007[update], a single SUW 2000 bogie cost 115,000 Lt ($42,000).[2]
Routes
The following interchange and break-of-gauge locations were fitted with a SUW 2000-compatible track gauge changing facility, allowing trains crossing those routes to be fitted for gauge-changing, rather than bogie-replacement:
- Installed 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1â2 in) - 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 5â6 in)
The SUW 2000 method of variable gauge system was designed by Ryszard Suwalski.[8]
See also
References
- ^ Kanclerz, Miroslaw (2007-10-09). "Study on European Automatic Track Gauge Changeover Systems (ATGCS)". Gdansk: UIC. http://www.sirts.pl/images/pliki/08_UIC_Kanclerz.pdf. Retrieved 2008-12-07. "Variable gauge systems: SUW 2000, Poland; DBAG/Rafil Type V, Germany; CAF BRAVA, Spain; Talgo RD, Spain; Japan RTRI; Korea KRRI [..] DB Rafil and PKP SUW 2000 are technically compatible and thereby âinteroperableâ"
- ^ ButkeviÄius, Jonas (2007-02-01). "Development of passenger transportation by railroad from Lithuania to European states" (PDF). TRANSPORT XXII (2): pp.76. ISSN 1648-4142. http://www.transport.vgtu.lt/upload/tif_zur/2007-2-butkevicius.pdf. Retrieved 2008-12-07. "additional funds should be provided for the acquisition of 8 units of SUW 2000 axles. These axles are required for replacement during the maintenance inspection and during the exploitation in case of defects, as production of one wheel-gauge usually takes 6 months. The price of acquisition of one SUW 2000 amounts to about 115 thous. Lt. The total sum, needed for acquisition of wheel-gauges, would make up 0,92 mill. Lt"
- ^ a b WaryĆ, Piotr (2005-05). "Experience and results of operation the SUW 2000 system in traffic corridors: I â Warsaw â Vilnius, III â Krakow â Kiev, II â Warsaw â Minsk â Moscow." (PDF). PKP Intercity. http://www.oevg.at/aktuell/veranstaltungen/umspurung/waryn.pdf. Retrieved 2008-12-07. "... Beginning of operation: 29 October 2000; Place: Polish â Lithuania border; activation of the track gauge changing facility (TSP) in Mockava (LG). ... Beginning of operation: 15 December 2003; Place: Polish â Ukrainian border; activation of the track gauge changing facility (TSP) in Mostiska-2 (UZ)"
- ^ ec.europa.eu/ten/transport/coordinators/doc/2006_07_pp27_en.pdf
- ^ Steane, Paul. "Border Crossings: Lithuania - Poland". Enthusiast's Guide to Travelling the Railways of Europe. http://egtre.info/wiki/Border_Crossings:_Lithuania_-_Poland. Retrieved 2011-08-30. "(Ć eĆĄtokai -) Mockava LG - Trakiszki PKP (- SuwaĆki): [D] PKP works to Ć eĆĄtokai on standard gauge tracks, which are interlaced with broad gauge 1520mm from Mockava. There is a "SUW2000" gauge changing system at Mockava but this was used only by the overnight passenger train pair which was withdrawn after 28 May 2005 and replaced by a road service. One daytime train pair runs between Warszawa, SuwaĆki and Ć eĆĄtokai, with connections from/to Vilnius."
- ^ Experience of SUW 2000 - see map on page 19
- ^ Steane, Paul. "Border Crossings: Poland - Ukraine". Enthusiast's Guide to Travelling the Railways of Europe. http://egtre.info/wiki/Border_Crossings:_Poland_-_Ukraine#.28Przemy.C5.9Bl_-.29_Medyka_PKP_-_Mostiska_2_UZ_.28-_Lvov.29. Retrieved 2011-08-30. "(PrzemyĆl -) Medyka PKP - Mostiska 2 UZ (- Lvov): [E] Starting from 1st June 2009, PKP operates a daily night train KrakĂłw - Lvov, using the 1435mm gauge line to/from the SUW2000 gauge changing facilities at Mostiska 2. The 1520mm daytime passenger trains use the gauge changing facilities at PrzemyĆl. UZ works freight trains to Medyka. On the Polish side the 1520mm gauge continues to Zurawica, on the Ukrainian side 1435mm gauge track ends at Mostiska 1."
- ^ Kopacz, Henryka (2003-06-10). "PKP SUW 2000 â revolution in rail transport". Polish Market Online, Corporate Spotlight. http://www.polishmarket.com.pl/document/:7285. Retrieved 2008-12-07. "The SUW 2000 system developed by Ryszard Suwalski, D. Sc., C.E. allows automatic wheel span adjustments on rolling stock, enabling trains to travel over different-gauged tracks. [...] Mr Suwalskiâs invention involves special junctions which adjust wheel span to track gauge as stock travels through."
External links