Alstom has awarded SKF a contract for 2,000 axleboxes with tapered roller bearing units and 500 slewing bearings equipped with Vogel lubrication systems. This equipment is intended for the new Alstom METROPOLIS metro vehicles for Barcelona, Spain.

The engineering and manufacturing is based on an international SKF teamwork. SKF in France will be responsible for axleboxes and slewing bearings; the tapered roller bearings will be produced by SKF in Italy, and the lubrication systems will be produced by SKF’s Vogel company in Germany.

SKF has also gained a large contract for European locomotive axleboxes from Alstom. Some 1,000 diesel and electrical PRIMA locomotives for the French SNCF and Belgian state railways will be equipped with SKF axleboxes.