On the right track Astra Vagoane Calatori

ON THE RIGHT TRACK

Astra Vagoane Calatori is a market leader in the design and manufacture of railway passenger coaches, trams and rolling stock. This long-established company is seeing strong growth today and continues to set new standards in the express coach sector as Philip Yorke reports.

Astra’s roots go back to 1891 when industrialist Johann Weitzer founded the Wagons and Motor Factory in Arad, Romania, in order to meet the demand for new rolling stock for the entire eastern area of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and south eastern Europe. At that time the company produced not only passenger coaches and freight wagons, but also military equipment and agricultural machinery.

Today Astra is a vibrant, modern and high-tech company that is focused on the manufacture and repair of passenger coaches, trams and rolling stock. The company operates three state-of-the-art workshops, which manufacture and test rail vehicles as well as car-bodies, bogies and a large number of related rail transport components. Interestingly, as part of its current diversification strategy, Astra has made the decision to produce electric trains and railcars in addition to its standard range of coaches and trams.

Advanced express coaches

Currently Astra Passenger Coaches Plc has the capabilities to produce all types of 200kmph passenger coaches for international traffic. This includes Metro vehicles, trams, rolling stock and passenger coaches. The company also provides turnkey solutions for its individual client’s requirements and provides a complete consultancy service with dedicated after sales support.

Today Astra manufactures the AV200 family of Z-Type passenger coaches, which can travel up to 200km/h and meet all UIC 567-2 requirements. All AVA200 express coaches are equipped with HVAC vacuum toilets, a public address system, a diagnostic control panel, sockets for laptops and a special passenger information system, as well as a video surveillance facility.

All AVA200ADW express passenger coaches are of an advanced saloon type design and built to suit international traffic. The first class saloons have 58 seats and second-class coaches 84 seats. By contrast, the AVA200 PRM AEC express carriage is designed as a second-class saloon only with 76 seats. This special passenger coach also complies with TSI directives for people with mobility problems. The access system includes a special toilet and reserved seating as well as all necessary indicators for people with reduced mobility.

Astra’s rail dining cars are modern in every respect and equipped with a kitchen for the preparation of food, as well as an attractive bar area with comfortable saloon seating for 30 people.

• Inner and Outer GRP-systems and load-bearing composite structures for mass-transportation vehicles • Service from design, mould-making, production to preassembly • Most strict standards as UIC 564-2 A,

DIN 5510-2 S4 SR2 ST2 and EN 45545 HL2

www.plastform.co.hu

When it comes to sleeping cars and amenities the AVA200 WLAB series offer optimal comfort for travel by day or by night. The coach has a steward compartment, four A-class compartments with two berths and six B-class compartments with three berths.

Astra works in close cooperation with many of Europe’s leading high-tech companies, including Siemens, Alstrom, Faiveley and Stadler of Switzerland. The company exports its advanced railway vehicles to Europe, Asia, South Africa and South America.

Innovation at Inno-Trans

Astra Passenger Coaches will be showcasing its latest modern, innovative coaches and rolling stock at the forthcoming InnoTrans trade fair in Berlin, Germany. This venue is the main focus for Europe’s transport engineering industry and is an international industry showplace focused on railway technology and railway infrastructure.

Astra will be displaying its latest express coach technology as well as its modern first- and second-class passenger coaches. All Astra products are built to the highest European standards and tailored to meet the specific requirements of each individual customer. The company provides a ‘just-in-time’ delivery systems and also offers a full repair and refurbishment service to its clients.

The company’s motto ‘performance in comfort’ will be endorsed by the products it will have on display at the forthcoming Inno-Trans trade fair later this year.

Consistent growth

Astra continues to win new business with its latest range of trams and passenger coaches. It is currently participating in the tender for a €250 million order for 220 metro cars together with Electroputere, part of the Grampet group. In addition the company has delivered the five of its planned six trams due to be operational by the Arad municipality during 2015.

Astra is also in talks with Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) for the delivery of 280 railway caches. This will be for 160 coaches required urgently and 120 in a second phase delivery schedule. The company has also recently signed a €8.3 million contract for the delivery of six Imperio trams. Astra acquired the tramway licence from it long-term business partner, Siemens. n

For further information about Astra Passenger Coaches innovative products and services visit, www.astra-passengers.ro