Turnouts are far more than mechanical components – they are among the most critical assets in any railway network. They enable operational flexibility, support smooth rerouting, and ensure reliable service on high-density and mixed-traffic lines. At voestalpine Railway Systems, turnouts are engineered as integrated systems: combining mechanical excellence, digital intelligence, and advanced metallurgy to meet the highest demands of modern rail operations while keeping lifecycle costs low.

At the Wheel Rail Interaction Conference 2025 (WRI 2025), held in the United States, Lukas Prettner, Head of R&D Track Systems at voestalpine Rail Technology, presented a groundbreaking project focused on improving the wheel-rail interface in Vienna’s U6 metro line.

Turnouts are not just part of the track – they heavily contribute to flexibility, safety and capacity in railway networks. At voestalpine Railway Systems, turnout systems are developed, manufactured and digitally enhanced to perform as one fully integrated system – customized to operational needs and designed for long-term excellence. 

An integrated view on Innovation, Reliability and digital Intelligence 

In a world where railway infrastructure is under increasing pressure to deliver more capacity, higher reliability, and smarter operations, voestalpine Railway Systems is responding with a comprehensive turnout systems approach that goes far beyond the sum of its parts. 

Following our latest announcement of the world’s first hydrogen-based rail installation at Linz Central Station, we’re taking a moment to look behind the scenes at the historic melt that made this breakthrough possible. Conducted in summer 2025 at voestalpine’s Donawitz site, this pilot project marks a key milestone in the journey toward CO₂-neutral steel production.

As the global leader in complete railway infrastructure systems, we are proud to announce a groundbreaking milestone in sustainable steel production: we have successfully produced and delivered the world’s first hydrogen-based rail. This innovation is part of a comprehensive research project at our Donawitz site and highlights our commitment to climate-friendly mobility solutions.

zentrak is more than just a digital tool – it’s the key to safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective railway infrastructure. The state-of-the-art hardware and software solutions for monitoring, asset management and maintenance management from voestalpine Railway Systems impress with five key USPs that offer real added value: 

zentrak – connecting everything: With the innovative brand zentrak, voestalpine Railway Systems presents a comprehensive solution for the digital future of railway infrastructure. zentrak combines state-of-the-art hardware and software solutions for monitoring as well as asset and maintenance management – making the complex world of rail operations transparent, efficient, and secure. 

Discover how voestalpine Railway Systems evolved from a component manufacturer to a global system provider—delivering integrated railway infrastructure solutions for maximum performance and availability. 

The demands for modern rail fastening systems are constantly increasing: higher load capacity, longer service life, maximum safety and efficient installation and maintenance work are essential. With the G9 Rail Clip, we are setting new standards in the field of rail fastening systems. The fastening clip combines innovation with flexibility and stands out from existing solutions thanks to its unique technical properties.