MOOG delivered 2 x MBS 115 to the German Railway
In 2011 MOOG received an order from DB Netz AG (German Railway) for two customized under-bridge units for the viaducts of the ICE high-speed railway. MOOG had already produced comparable units for DB in 1987. These units are still working today, but do not reach all areas of some viaducts. Especially effected are the newer erected sound barriers that have become higher and are necessary obstructions our units must cross.
To solve this problem MOOG designed and produced 2 under-bridge units that allow easy access to nearly all viaducts with the help of their equipment additions.
These units stand out due to the fact, that inspection and maintenance work can be performed while the trains are moving on their regular schedules without causing disruption or shut down of the train service. This is possible because the width of the undercarriage of one unit is only 3 ft. 3 in. This allows the trains to pass the units without reducing their speed. If there are workers on the units, the trains are required to reduce their speed to 160 km/h.
The units are equipped with a hydraulic gear that is able to move over grades of up to 40 ‰. The steering system works automatically with help of sensing arms. One unit has a horizontal range of 37 ft. 8 in. and a payload of 1,100 lbs.
The erection and retraction of the machines has to be done at night during the down time of the train network as they are lifted on and off the bridge by a mobile crane. Also this is when the overhead powered lines are out of action allowing a crane to swing the unit onto or off the sidewalk next to the tracks safely.
In accordance with the customers wishes the units came equipped with the following optional equipment:
A pier inspection unit which enables the inspection of the piers with help of a platform that is affixed to the unit and drops down with steel cables from the main platform.
An arch inspection unit that enables the inspection of a bridge’s arches. Both pier inspection units are connected in the middle in a tandem process to be able to inspect the arches from the top and bottom.
A unique A-shaped arch inspection unit that works as follows:
Two machines become the mounting points for the rectangular platform system that goes around the complete arch section and can be lowered and lifted by synchronic-driven electric winches. Using the forward and backward movements of the machines along the bridge deck, and with the help of the winches, the platform is given complete access to the whole arch. Up to 6 people are able to work on the platform at the same time.
Both arch inspection units are dropped down from the main platform with a steel cable system as well.
