How S&V is changing how planners approach rail infrastructure

In Australia’s expanding metropolitan areas, rail infrastructure tends to draw a lot of noise – both literally and politically.

Communities protest rising decibel levels. Councils battle cost blowouts. Engineers weigh up noise reduction options that will stand the test of time, terrain and temperament.

In this contested space, German firm Schrey & Veit, better known as S&V, is making a serious impact.

Its innovative rail dampers are helping Australian operators create quieter, smoother and more efficient rail systems without the need for major structural upheaval.

Already rolled out in Sydney and Perth, and with tenders underway elsewhere in the country, the product is changing how planners approach rail infrastructure – especially where space, aesthetics and budget constrain more traditional noise mitigation efforts.

Gaining traction in Australia

S&V has manufactured more than seven million rail dampers, and the product is already installed in 27 countries and counting.

Most of its business previously came from Europe, but the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl-Stephan Schneider, said Australia is now one of its most important markets.

“We had a huge project in Sydney last year, and our first containers have arrived in Perth and are being installed.

“The feedback has been very good from Australian operators, which is why we’re continuing to grow here.”

Silence and savings on the same track

S&V’s rail dampers use a mass spring system to combat the vibrations created when trains pass over rails, thus reducing rail noise.

The reduction in rail vibration can also lead to less rail corrugation, which translates into operational savings.

“The dampers mean less rail grinding is necessary – and each grind costs money, not just in equipment, but labour, and skilled maintenance crews are in short supply everywhere,” Schneider said.

“In some cases, the drop in rail wear and tear due to our dampers has been dramatic. We had clients in Asia who went from grinding 20 to 30 times a year to just three or four times.”

For operators with long regional lines, particularly in freight-heavy states such as Western Australia and Queensland, the reduced need for maintenance can be more compelling than the noise benefits.

“Our product is just as relevant outside urban centres,” Schneider said. “Even where there’s no community pressure around the noise of the rail, corrugation and labour shortages make maintenance a major concern.”

When maintenance teams do need to carry out rail grinding or tamping, the dampers don’t get in the way.

“You can do everything with the dampers in place,” Schneider said. “There are no restrictions.”

That flexibility has proved crucial for operators trying to minimise downtime and streamline inspections.

It also removes the need for expensive workarounds often accompanying other noise mitigation systems.

Where walls won’t work

Traditional noise walls may reduce sound from the rail, but they are often unsightly and may not be an option in dense or protected areas.

Planning overlays, land availability, and aesthetic objections can all derail wall-based solutions. In such contexts, rail dampers offer a much more discreet alternative.

“In tunnels or narrow corridors, there’s just no room for noise walls,” Schneider said.

“In UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) heritage areas, you’re not allowed to build them.

“Or sometimes local communities just don’t want them. They say, ‘You’ve reduced the noise, but now I’m staring at a concrete wall.’”

That problem is amplified in multi-storey buildings, where sound deflects upwards.

“Noise walls only protect the first couple of floors. For people living higher up, they don’t help,” he said.

In contrast, S&V’s dampers are mounted at track level and remain invisible from the street. There are no bulky supports, visual obstructions, or risk of graffiti.

“When we install our dampers, you don’t see them, you just hear the difference,” Schneider said.

“Our dampers are also maintenance-free, unlike noise walls which require regular inspections and cleaning.”

Custom-tuned for Australian extremes

S&V’s rail dampers attach using a clip-on system that requires no adhesives or structural anchoring. This allows for rapid installation, up to 300 metres per hour, and easy removal during rail replacements.

“They’re reusable,” Schneider said. “When it’s time to change the rails every 10 to 15 years, you just take them off and clip them back on after.”

More importantly, each damper is tuned to match the specific noise profile of the location.

“For recent projects, the customer told us exactly which high frequencies they wanted to eliminate,” Schneider said. “We adjusted the tuning to match.”

That tuning happens in S&V’s own laboratory, where the team tests and calibrates each unit against project-specific rail data.

In some cases, they work directly from the customer’s sound measurements. In others, they provide recommendations based on in-situ diagnostics.

Climatic durability is also front of mind. While European specifications require dampers to last 13 years, Australian standards demand 20. That means adapting materials to cope with high Ultraviolet (UV) light, ozone exposure and extreme heat.

“We’ve done a lot of research and development work to meet that requirement,” Schneider said.

“In places like Korea, temperatures can swing from minus five Celsius to plus 35. In Australia, we face very high UV. Every country is different, so we adapt.”

S&V’s dampers are also certified fire-resistant, making them suitable for tunnel installations and other high-risk zones.

Boots on the ground

While S&V’s manufacturing remains in Germany, local partnerships have been key to the company’s success in Australia.

Based in Perth, GM Rail handles customer support and logistics in Western Australia, with another partner supporting projects on the east coast.

“It’s always easier when someone local can pick up the phone,” Schneider said. “Customers want quick answers, especially when you’re in a different time zone.”

That responsiveness extends to technical support as well. When a Sydney customer requested a live test installation, S&V sent three pallets of dampers and an engineer on the next flight.

“We’re not a huge corporation,” Schneider said. “We’re mid-sized so we can move fast. If someone says, ‘We need you on site next week,’ we go.”

Seeing and hearing is believing

Tunnel installations of the dampers can achieve noise reductions of up to 15 decibels, while on open track, reductions of five decibels are common – enough to meaningfully shift the perception of noise for nearby residents.

While much of S&V’s reputation is built on engineering rigour, Schneider said the proof is in the pudding when it comes to its dampers’ capabilities.

He recently recorded a “before and after” video in Spain, where the company’s dampers had been added to a long-problematic section of track.

In the first clip, loud train noise drowns out every other sound. In the second, birdsong is clearly audible.

“That’s not AI-generated audio,” he said. “I filmed it myself. When you can hear the birds again, that shows how effective the product is.”

Showcasing at AusRAIL PLUS

S&V will be exhibiting at AusRAIL PLUS in Melbourne this November, a key milestone in its long-term commitment to Australia. For Schneider, the event is both a showcase and a signal of intent.

“We’ve already booked our booth and started designing the space,” he said. “Australia is growing fast, and we want to grow with it.

“We can say a lot, but when the birds are louder than the train, people believe in the product.”