Aug. 31, 2006 — The Timken Co. will supply a journal bearing assembly and housing for the new PROTOS^(R) train in Germany.

Designed to reduce friction in the train's wheels, the customized unit consists of tapered roller bearings mounted in a radial arm housing. The pre-assembled, pre-lubricated and sealed bearings are fitted to the train axle and positioned in the housing within the bogie frame.

The PROTOS is a low-floor multiple-car train that reaches speeds of 160 kilometers per hour during regional travel. FTD Fahrzeugtechnik Dessau AG in Dessau, Germany, developed and builds both diesel and electric versions of the train for sale to European railway operators. FTD will introduce the train in September 2006 at the InnoTrans Rail Fair in Berlin, Germany.

"We use everything we know about friction management to deliver a fully integrated customized system that is easier to install," said Mat Happach, Timken's Vice President — Rail. "And, we were able to do it quickly to meet the customer's need to launch the new train."

FTD was driving to fulfill an order of five two-car PROTOS electric trains to a private railway company in the Netherlands for operation beginning in September 2007.

FTD specializes in developing, designing and building a variety of rail vehicles. The company's capabilities are founded on a century of experience in the wagon works industry. Its customers include many major European rail operators and manufacturers.

With operations in 27 countries, sales of $5.2 billion in 2005 and 27,000 employees, Timken supplies highly engineered bearings, alloy steel and related products and services.