The test track at the Donawitz plant site is far more than just a section of track. Spanning 54 meters, Timna Gschwandl and her team use state-of-the-art sensor technology to investigate how track superstructure systems can be made more efficient, more durable, and more sustainable.
Timna Gschwandl knows every metre of the facility. From the initial planning phase to commissioning, the young engineer accompanied the project every step of the way. For her, the test track combines exactly what fascinated her when she first began her engineering studies.
Studying engineering really appealed to me after graduating from high school because it allows you to discover new things and make a real impact on the world. You can bring innovations to life. And that’s exactly what I can demonstrate with this project.
The development of modern railway infrastructure often begins on a computer or in a laboratory. However, many questions can only be answered when a system is examined as a whole.
Often, simulations or individual component tests are not enough. That is why we developed and built the test track. It allows us to investigate the entire system, from the wheel-rail interface all the way down to the substructure, and measure everything along the way.
Before the test track was ready for operation, many months of planning, coordination and implementation were required. An existing section of track was rebuilt, measurement technology was integrated, and the facility was commissioned step by step.
When the first locomotive finally passed over the track and we saw the completed track with all the integrated sensor technology, that was a very special moment. Especially when you realize how much data can be collected and what the team has achieved during that time.
Today, every run over the 54-metre-long test track provides valuable insights into how individual components interact and what forces are acting within the system. The data collected directly supports the further development of more advanced track systems.
The test track enables us to develop more robust track systems. We can investigate how to extend the service life of individual components, meaning a longer lifecycle, and create a more sustainable railway infrastructure.
The data collected also helps improve maintenance planning.
The test track was created in close cooperation with partners including universities and industry representatives.
This allows railway construction machines to operate on the track so that we can evaluate how well they perform with a specific track system. One example is a DGS, a Dynamic Track Stabilizer. In a way, the test track is a playground for innovation, where a wide range of ideas and technologies can be tested.
Anyone speaking with Timna Gschwandl about the test track quickly realizes that, for her, technology is not the only thing that matters. Progress is created above all when different perspectives come together.
A diverse team is a huge advantage because it brings together different perspectives. Everyone has different experiences, and those experiences can contribute to making a project better and more innovative.
For Timna Gschwandl, this is one of the most exciting aspects of her work. At the test track in Donawitz, ideas are not only developed but also tested under real conditions. For the project manager, it is an opportunity to make a difference through technology and bring innovation onto the rails.
For her outstanding contribution to the development and implementation of the test track in Donawitz, Timna Gschwandl has been honored with the Bahnindustrie Award 2026.
The jury particularly recognized the combination of technical excellence, innovative strength and leadership, highlighting the project's potential to contribute to a more sustainable railway infrastructure.