As a leading railcar lessor, we are continuously expanding our fleet with new railcars that enable our customers and companies throughout Europe to make their transports more sustainable. Now, we are ready to expand our railcar portfolio once more. Meet the latest addition to our fleet: the automobile carrier Laaers.

Unveiling the new Automobile Carrier Laaers
The Laaers is purpose-built for the transportation of automobiles. The uncovered double-deck wagon unit is composed of two short-coupled 2-axle units. While the Laaers is a new addition to our fleet, it is already a well-known and respected wagon type within the rail industry and used to transport cars across Europe.

Laaers Technical Features
From a technical standpoint, our Laaers have advanced suspension and are equipped with long suspension links and four-layer parabolic springs capable of accommodating axle loads of up to 18 tons, which helps ensure a smooth and stable operation. All Laaers have a short coupling, which is positioned between the wagon units and maximizes stability and movability. Beyond that, the Laaers can be retrofitted with Digital Automated Couplers (DAC), which means that it is already compatible with all emerging DAC technologies. Sensorics can be added based on customer requirements.

Versatile Loading Options
The Laaers offers unparalleled flexibility in loading configurations, with adjustable upper loading decks controlled by spindle drives. Each deck can accommodate up to 9 tons, enabling the transport of heavy vehicles with ease. Why is this so important? Because the production of electric cars versus combustion engine cars is increasing. Electric cars typically weigh more; the extra weight stems from the mass of their batteries. Johannes Friess, Head of Fleet Management at GATX Rail Europe adds, “With the capacity to carry up to 6 cars weighing up to 3.0 tons or 5 cars weighing up to 3.2 tons on each deck, the GATX Laaers is optimized for efficiency with high load capacity without compromising on safety.”

Get your GATX Laaers Quote now
At GATX Rail Europe, we prioritize customer satisfaction. As always, we have strived to ensure the highest standards of quality and reliability in the production of the Laaers with our manufacturing partners. We will be receiving the first batch by the end of 2024, of which all are already committed to customers. Elisabeth Jilli, Head of Sales & Service at GATX Rail Europe, states, “The introduction of the Laaers represents another milestone in our ongoing commitment to enhance our product portfolio, excellence, and customer service. With its advanced features, versatile loading options, and reliable performance, the Laaers is an excellent addition to our fleet.”

If you are looking to transport automobiles across Europe, we are looking forward to receiving your requests.