Expansion of the Connection Track Facility at the National Distribution Centre Coop (NVZ) Successfully Launched.
The expansion work on the connection track facility of the NVZ from Coop in Wangen bei Olten is aimed at optimising capacity. A new high-bay warehouse with two loading tracks is being constructed, and existing halls are being extended to the east to create space for 6-axle carriers, each accommodating two 45-foot containers.
The track realignment, carried out in March 2024, laid the foundation for subsequent work, which will extend over six further stages until 2026. The implementation of the first stage was initially planned for two weeks of daytime work without weekend deployment.
However, during the final kick-off meeting, it quickly became clear to those involved that following the original construction schedule would result in 50% of the transport goods being shifted from rail to road. Such a logistical challenge would have been unmanageable.
Thanks to the focused and spontaneous readiness of the Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group in Switzerland, the main work was successfully rescheduled` to a single weekend. The days leading up to the reconstruction weekend were used for meticulous preparatory work, ensuring that the work could start punctually on a Saturday morning. The intensive effort of all involved ensured the track was fully operational again by Monday morning, therefore keeping the rail traffic disruption to an absolute minimum. The old track had to be dismantled down to the subgrade during the available shifts. Surveying and sampling for contaminant analysis during the preparation phase revealed that the subgrade was in excellent condition and required no remediation.
The preliminary ballast was laid, the panels were positioned, ballasted, and tamped twice. Thus, the track could be used for a week before the final work was completed the following weekend. By Monday morning, the new track was ready for operation.
