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Busan Urban Railway Yangsan Line - VLEX-K20 Electric Shunter Manufacturing
Project oVERVIEW
To support the efficient operation and safe inspection and maintenance of the Yangsan Line (Nopo-Bukjeong) rolling stock depot of Busan Urban Railway, GAON TECH carried out a project to design, manufacture, test, and supply the VLEX-K20 electric shunter.
The goal of this project was to establish equipment capable of safely and precisely towing an entire trainset within the depot inspection facility without separating the cars. Special emphasis was placed on improving both operational safety and efficiency through a fully electric drive system and a remote-control operating system.
Project Background and Requirements
The Yangsan Line rolling stock depot operates in a constrained working environment that requires repetitive shunting operations. Based on these conditions, the client presented the following key requirements:
The equipment had to be capable of towing one full trainset (2 cars, approximately 36 tons) while kept in formation.
It had to be fully compatible with the depot track route and the K-AGT guide wheel and turnout wheel structure.
It had to support safe and efficient operation through wireless remote control.
It had to provide an eco-friendly and low-noise working environment by applying a battery-powered drive system.
It had to feature a stable and highly durable structure that minimizes maintenance burden.
Beyond simply meeting these requirements, the project also focused on design optimization and structural verification based on actual site operation conditions.
Technical Challenges and Expected Outcomes
The VLEX-K20 adopts an electric shunting structure in which electric motors are applied to each driving wheel. This made it possible to secure stable traction even in low-speed, high-torque operating conditions, while also minimizing impact during train start and stop in order to reduce stress on both the rolling stock and the track facilities.
In addition, a high-capacity battery system was applied to ensure stable performance throughout inspection and shunting operations, enabling the following expected outcomes:
An eco-friendly working environment with zero exhaust emissions through an electric drive system
Improved operator safety through remote-control-based operation
Higher work efficiency through a compact body and stable traction performance
Reduced maintenance cost and improved long-term operational reliability
This equipment is considered an electric shunting solution optimized for the inspection and maintenance environment of the Yangsan Line rolling stock depot, with strong potential for broader application across urban railway and railway depot operations
Rail Guide and Guidance Structure Optimization
Reflecting the operating conditions of the Yangsan Line rolling stock depot, a total of four rail guide systems (guide wheels), with two installed at the front and two at the rear, were applied.
Prevention of derailment during operation
Secured structural compatibility with K-AGT guide wheels and turnout wheel systems
Removable structural design considering movement within narrow working spaces
Through this approach, the system achieved stable running performance and a high level of operational reliability even in the actual depot environment.
Structure, Manufacturing, and Quality Control
The VLEX-K20 was designed and manufactured based on the submitted drawings and tailored to the track conditions of the Yangsan Line rolling stock depot.
Rounded treatment of all edges to improve work safety
Application of reliable electrical and electronic components with proven performance
Structural body design considering sufficient load capacity and traction force
Through these measures, the equipment secured the durability and stability required for long-term operation.
Conclusion
The Busan Urban Railway Yangsan Line VLEX-K20 electric shunter project is a strong example of GAON TECH’s ability to understand field requirements accurately and turn them into practical engineering solutions. Moving forward, GAON TECH will continue to provide safe and sustainable railway maintenance solutions based on specialized design for railway operating environments and proven technical capabilities.
