HISTORY

Officially established in 1917, Dahlrail has successfully contributed to increased operational safety, effectiveness and reliability for our railway customers and partners. Here are some of the highlights and milestones from our more than hundred-year journey. 

1912

Start of the Journey

The journey really started in 1912. Due to safety reasons, the General Assembly in Norway appointed Knorr Bremse as the only supplier of brake systems for the Norwegian railway.

1912

1917

Transfer from Germany

Otto Kahrs, representing Knorr Bremse from Germany, transferred all German activities to O.J. Dahl AS, founded in 1917 by Ole Julius Dahl.

1917

1937

High unemployment

Due to high unemployment, local production was enforced and brake equipment was produced at the Kongsberg våpenfabrik under a license from SAB.

1937

1945

Help from Norway

Knorr Bremse Sud restarted in München with the help of additional essential drawings provided by O.J. Dahl AS from Norway.

1945

1954

Buffers Rail Industry AB

Buffers Rail Industry AB was founded in Vallentuna – Sweden by Anders Hove.

1954

1962

Dellner & Dahl cooperation

Jan Dellner & Co. and O.J. Dahl AS signed the first cooperation agreement, the start of a still-ongoing and successful cooperation.

1962

1968

Type 69 trains

Type 69 trains with Dellner Couplers and Hasler tachometry equipment arrived.

1968

1976

Long lasting Owner Hulsbergen

Young Hans Hulsbergen succeeded long-time owner Per Waldal.

1976

1977

Big order from NSB

After a few years with little business, NSB ordered eleven SKD 224 trains from Carl Kaeble Gmeiner.

1977

1985

Oslo Tramway

Ekebergbanen was equipped with solutions from Kummler & Matter.

1985

1990

Snow Plow for Beilhack

The still-in-operation Beilhack – Snow Plow was delivered.

1990

1995

New Partnership

O.J Dahl partnered with SLM; NSB ordered 22 EL 18 trains.

1995

1998

High-speed railway

O.J. Dahl supplied ticket vending machines to Gardemoen Banen.

1998

2001

Service Centre

The company made a strategic investment in a service centre to increase the ability to offer local support.

2001

2007

Swiss cooperation

O.J. Dahl entered a cooperation agreement with Stadler, which led NSB to order the Stadler FLIRT.

2007

2013

Sweden as new Market

The company expanded to Sweden with the acquisition of Buffers Rail Industry AB (est. 1954), a company with a long history in numerous rail and industrial products from all over the world. Accompanied by its service workshop, Buffers Rail Industry has proven to become a great partner of O.J. Dahl AS.

2013

2015

The Netherlands

O.J DAHL BV is founded in Netherlands.

2015

2019

Dahlrail is Born

Dahlrail is born. Bringing together the experience, expertise and passion of all three companies, Dahlrail is set to innovate and help conquer the challenges and opportunities the railway industry will face in shifting its paradigms to stay relevant in the new century.

2019

2023

RL Components becomes a distributor for Dahlrail

2023 is the year RL Components became a distributor for Dahlrail and is today a leading player at providing technical service and development for train operators.

2023

The  journey has been incredible so far. We wish to thank all the partners and customers who are and have been with us along the way. They truly are the pillars of our success. 

Our journey is far from over. We look forward continuing our success as a railway industry leader over the next 100 years and beyond.

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