Výhybkárna a strojírna (based in Prostějov, Czech Republic) has successfully completed another major project in Germany – the delivery of turnouts for the Nürnberg metro. The company handed over the last turnout unit within the contract for the second stage of the Langwasser depot construction. It was a double-slip turnout on plastic sleepers.
The contract was carried out for the customer Rhomberg Sersa and the investor VAG Nürnberg. All turnout structures were manufactured on time and in accordance with the technical requirements of the project.
“We value the fact that we could be part of the modernisation of the Nürnberg metro infrastructure. This project was technically demanding, but thanks to the professionalism of our employees, we managed it without complications,” says Marek Smolka, CEO of DT – Výhybkárna a strojírna Prostějov, and points out a new trend in turnout production: “This double-slip turnout, as well as all the other units supplied to the Langwasser depot, was laid on sleepers made of recycled plastic, replacing traditional wooden sleepers. This is a new trend that emphasises environmental protection, especially the replacement of natural materials in infrastructure construction, and it is increasingly demanded, particularly by German customers.”
For the Langwasser depot, the company produced:
• in 2024: 12 simple turnouts J49E1-1:6-100 and 2 double-slip turnouts C49E1-1:6-100,
• in 2025: 11 simple turnouts (J49E1-1:6-100, J49E1-1:6-140, J49E1-1:5-100) and 1 double-slip turnout C49E1-1:6-100.
The Langwasser depot is a key technical facility of the Nürnberg U-Bahn system. The network has three lines, two of which are automated. “This contract was exceptional in many respects,” adds Dušan Kadlec, Sales Director of DT – Výhybkárna a strojírna: “Our customer placed extraordinary emphasis on absolute precision – from the exact measurement of the geometric accuracy of the manufactured units, through top-class workshop quality, to the strict adherence to delivery deadlines. Before each dispatch, their inspectors personally came to check whether the turnouts fully complied with the design documentation. The fact that we subsequently received unequivocally positive feedback from them is not only confirmation of the technical perfection of our products but also clear evidence of the customer’s complete satisfaction.”
However, deliveries from Prostějov did not concern only the Langwasser depot. In the winter of 2024/2025, DTVS also supplied for line U3 of the Nürnberg metro:
· 2 turnouts J49E1-1:6-140 for installation on slab track,
· 2 turnouts J49E1-1:7-190 for installation on slab track,
· 4 turnouts J49E1-1:6-100 on plastic sleepers,
· 1 symmetrical turnout S49E1-1:3.429-140 (a combination of wooden and plastic sleepers).
“Germany has long been one of our most important markets. We believe that our cooperation in the renewal of Nürnberg metro tracks will continue in further stages,” concluded Dušan Kadlec
Image credits: DTVS
