Recent deals and tenders in the track machine market.
Kazakhstan — Kalugaputmash (part of Sinara Transport Machines, STM) has delivered a batch of track machines. The buyers have not been named. According to the manufacturer, three ELB-4S self-propelled ballast distributing/cleaning unit will operate on the main-line network, while two UK 25/25 track-laying cranes and an MPK motorised platform will be deployed on new construction. Over the past few years the company has supplied more than a dozen track machines of various types to Kazakhstan.
Tesmec overhead line installation and maintenance vehicle for Bulgaria. Source: National Railway Infrastructure Company
Bulgaria — Tesmec has won a tender to supply four overhead line installation and maintenance vehicles. The Italian company’s bid came to €19.6 mln, covering certification, staff training and seven years of maintenance. Two types of vehicle are planned: two for renewing the overhead line and two for maintaining and installing it. Tesmec is currently completing delivery of 20 OCPC401 catenary maintenance vehicles to national infrastructure manager National Railway Infrastructure Company under a 2022 contract.
Spain — MerMec (currently being acquired by Siemens Mobility) is to supply a narrow-gauge inspection vehicle. The rolling stock, together with five years of maintenance, will cost national infrastructure manager Adif €14.1 mln. Destined for the metre-gauge network in the north of the country, it will carry equipment for measuring track and overhead line geometry, optical monitoring systems and a T-Sight gauging installation. Handover is scheduled for the 2030s. Adif currently operates seven track recording trains for 1,435 mm and 1,668 mm gauge.
Srida DCK-32 tamping machine for Moldova. Source: CFM
Moldova — Chinese-built track machinery has arrived in the country for the first time. Kazakhstan’s Temirzhol Zhondeu (part of the Kamkor group) has delivered a DCK-32 tamping machine and an SPZ-270 ballast regulator, both purchased from Srida. The equipment will be used to rebuild the Bender–Giurgiulești line, the renewal contract for which Temirzhol Zhondeu won back in 2021. Notably, earlier this year the company became Srida’s official dealer across the Eurasian Economic Union.
Vossloh HSG-2 high-speed rail grinding train for China. Source: Vossloh
China — The country has bought a third HSG-2 high-speed rail grinding train from Germany’s Vossloh. The company says the machine will be built at its Hamburg plant, with shipment due in mid-2027. The two-car HSG-2 can grind up to 60 km of track in a single pass at speeds of up to 80 km/h, and can also assess rail condition. The first HSG-2 reached China in 2013, and last year two of these trains treated 42,000 km of the country’s high-speed lines.
Robel Rorunner Level 3 E³ hybrid machine in Munich. Source: SWM
Germany — Trial running of Robel’s Rorunner Level 3 E³ multi-purpose hybrid machines has begun on the Munich metro. Each machine carries two cranes and is intended for routine infrastructure maintenance and repair. Primary power comes from the conductor rail and batteries, with a diesel generator providing back-up. City utility operator SWM has ordered 10 of these machines and eight flat wagons from the German manufacturer in total. The first batch is due to enter service shortly, the last in December.
