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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