Service for electric and diesel engines now available directly in port rail traffic centre – ajax Loktechnik inaugurates new locomotive workshop in the Port of Hamburg

ajax Loktechnik opened its new locomotive repair centre in the Port of Hamburg at a ceremony today. The new ajax workshop is located at Hamburg Port Railway’s Alte Süderelbe rail terminal, at Dradenauer Deichweg 2, directly next to HPA - Hamburg Port Authority’s locomotive parking area and a new filling station.

“As a neutral service provider, we shall now be servicing locomotives here. We can handle electric and diesel locomotives of all makes and models. Our new facility offers all-round service to our customers from rail operating companies (EVUs), leasing firms, shunting operators, building firms and locomotive manufacturers. This applies to genuine breakdowns, but also to fuel supply and other services,” says Maja Halver, Chief Executive Officer of ajax Loktechnik. The main activity in the Hamburg repair shop will be minor routine maintenance with rapid turnover. The workshop houses two adjacent work platforms with inspection pits. A ten-ton crane spans both tracks. Being near numerous locomotive sidings, its location is ideal. Operating breaks and downtime can be logically used for maintenance and repairs. Locally based industrial and commercial operators owning private sidings and rolling stock will be able to use the new workshop. Mainly users of smaller works locomotives, nearby companies in the port benefit from reduced inward journey costs thanks to the very short distances. In addition, ajax Loktechnik’s mobile teams can identify faults on the spot.

“Until now, that involved numerous empty runs by locomotives to far distant workshops. These needed to use the in any case heavily frequented track sections between the port and Harburg areas. Against a background of further growth in rail freight services and the large number of EVUs, avoidance where possible of empty runs makes sense. Fast, flexible maintenance of locomotives at our new repair centre will help to relieve pressure on route capacities,” explains Maja Halver.

The new ajax repair shop is one element in the overall scheme for expanding infrastructure in the Western area of the Port of Hamburg, which receives and despatches an average of around 200 freight trains per working day. Services run throughout Europe to/from here, the vibrant heart of the continent’s rail freight services.

The new locomotive workshop in the Port of Hamburg will also boost its attractiveness as a centre of economic activity. “We shall achieve this with rapid, flexible and high-quality maintenance on the spot. For EVUs, that boosts locomotive availability and reduces costs,” stresses Maja Halver.
 
Some data and details about ajax’s new Hamburg locomotive repair shop:
2 workshop rail tracks with pits, each 25 metres long (1 with side-pits)
1 Gantry crane (capacity: 10 tons)
4 lifting block units à 30 tons = 120 tons
2 overhead workplaces
1 siding (25 metres)
 
ajax Loktechnik GmbH & Co. KG
ajax Loktechnik was founded in Hamburg in 2010. Not being tied to any leasing companies, locomotive manufacturers, EVUs, finance houses or larger groups, this owner-managed, medium-sized firm is neutral and independent.

ajax Loktechnik offers customers locomotive service on demand and as full service. By leasing facilities in other workshops, ajax is represented in France, Italy and other countries besides Germany. From June 2018, ajax can also offer service at its own workshop in the Port of Hamburg.

Flexibility, short processing times, quality and reliability are what ajax’s clients appreciate. The company stands for creative and pragmatic solutions, as well as client-centric communication. Our neutrality also fosters a trusting relationship with all our customers.

For running the locomotive repair shop in Hamburg, ajax Loktechnik is engaging around 15 additional staff plus trainees. Its existing mobile maintenance business is also being expanded. So ajax will continue to offer mobile service throughout Europe plus major maintenance of locomotives. In 2019 the company’s head office will be moving into the new modern block next to the locomotive workshop.