Lenzing AG has already been using freight cars from GATX for many years. Now the Austrian fibre manufacturer has ordered 22 cars type Snps from us. These freight cars will be customized exactly in accordance with the requirements and wishes of the customer: So, for example, the car length and stanchion distances will perfectly match the transport of 3-6 metre long round timber.

The natural raw material wood is the basis of the production of the Lenzing AG cellulose fibres. The tree trunks are predominantly transported by rail. There are always new challenges with the transport of this raw material: For example, when loading the naturally grown trunks, a deformation of the floor can occur or the stanchions can be damaged.

New timber-carrying freight cars: Our eye is on the detail
We at GATX have now developed a special timber-carrying freight car that will be used by Lenzing AG for the next 10 years for the transport of round timber. The details:

• Simple maintenance: Sections of the floor will be screwed together and can be easily replaced.
• Non-slip surface: The steel sheets of the floor will be covered with a non-slip coating so that the safety of the personnel is increased when stepping on the loading area.
• Telematics on board: In addition to the standard functions of tracking and tracing, additional data for the real-time determination of the payload will be collected – including a visual display on the freight car for the loading personnel.
• Technical Data: The cars have a length over buffers of 22.8 m and a tare weight of 23 t, so that the payload amounts to 67 t.

The special feature: As the customer already has an easily exchangeable stanchion system in use, we are equipping the new Snps cars with the same type of stanchions. As usual, GATX places great importance on the detail and thereby tried and tested working routines are kept. Regarding maintenance, the customer does not need to keep different types of stanchions on stock for his cars.

Innovative solutions for a diversified fleet
As you are aware, we strive to be recognized by our customers as Europe’s best rail car leasing company. This goal is supported by a wide-ranging fleet diversification and cars that are tailored to the precise wishes and requirements of our customers. With these innovative Snps freight cars, we have taken another step on our way to reach our objective – and in the car design we have applied the proven and tested system of our customer in order to save him time and, therefore, cash.

You have an idea for a special freight car? And don’t exactly know how this idea can be turned into reality without having to change the proven routines in your company? Please contact your responsible Key Account Manager. We at GATX will be happy to advise you.

This is what Lenzing AG has to say about this new collaboration:

Individual solutions are the future!

The transport of freight by rail requires more and more frequent individual solutions. So we were looking for a company that could provide us with secure, independent transport facilities for the important transport of timber, in brief: Freight cars customized to our specifications and requirements. In GATX we have found a partner from whom we can lease these made-to-measure cars.

Why did we decide on GATX?
During the many years of working together, we have come to know and appreciate GATX as a competent, dependable company – and so the company was invited to take part in our tendering process. On the basis of competent planning and the best quotation, GATX was then awarded the contract.

Why are we at Lenzing backing new freight car material?
We require special cars for our timber transporters that, naturally, should conform to the latest technical standards in freight cars construction. In order to acquire these made-to-measure cars we have launched this new construction project.

What special facilities did this new car type need? GATX will match the loading length and stanchion distances of the new Snps cars exactly to our timber lengths. Every day in our day-to-day work, our freight cars are subjected to heavy stresses and strains. Therefore it is important that stanchions, floor plates and tension belts can be quickly replaced. Here, too, GATX provides excellent solutions. A further highlight: The on-board weighing system from PJM with its own power supply. This telematics solution will help the shipping agent to optimize the capacity utilization of the car. In addition, from now on our materials requirements planners will know exactly where a particular freight car is currently located. Therefore, with this tracking and tracing data, we will be able to plan even better in the future.