The testing of Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) is taking a further step with Austrian Rail Cargo Group (RCG). The DAC Demonstrator tests will run for the whole of 2026, involving various types of wagons and gathering data for double traction.
Initially, the DAC Demo train will be made up of eight wagons and will expand to 24 by mid-2026, RCG said. “Various routes in Austria will be tested. Especially the European Freight corridors are in the focus. The demonstrator train will operate until the end of 2026”, a spokesperson from the company told RailFreight.com.
Different wagons and different couplers
The wagon types which will undergo testing are Eanos, Sgnss, Shimmns (4668 & 4676), Habbiins, Talns and Faccns, as well as two Siemens Vectron locomotives. Each wagon will be equipped with a CCU (Consist Control Unit), while the two locomotives with an LCU (Lead Control Unit). These are key components of the DAC, as they provide power supply throughout the train, enabling functions such as the automated brake test or the automated uncoupling.
These tests will also be an opportunity to assess interoperability between couplers from different manufacturers. More specifically, the couplers will come from Voith, Knorr Bremse, Wabtec and Dellner. The wagons will be equipped with 44 couplers. “Additionally, the two Vectron locomotives have four hybrid couplings, enabling them to haul wagons equipped either with DAC or conventional screw couplings”, RCG said.
Waiting for large-scale tests
These DAC Demo tests are part of Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking Flagship Project 5 (FP5 – TRANS4M-R). They can be considered as the first step towards the large-scale Pio-DAC tests which will start in 2027. “The PioDAC Trains are the next evolution phase and shall start afterwards with a higher maturity of DAC technology and operate additionally under commercial conditions”, the RCG spokesperson pointed out.
