Germany: In September, visitors to the Berlin show could see machinery for infrastructure maintenance, diagnostics and construction from SRT, Plasser & Theurer, Robel, Linsinger, etc., with seven vehicles making their debut.
Track machines from SRT Railway Technology
The Italian company’s stand was the largest among the other track machinery manufacturers. SRT presented for the first time the DHS Hybrid, a self-moving hopper designed to optimise the operations with bulk materials. The railcar is powered by a 55 kW diesel engine and a 35 kW electric motor equipped with a battery pack. According to the manufacturer, the DHS Hybrid provides a material flow of 800 m3/h in full electric mode, while no data is given for diesel mode.
According to the manufacturer, the DHS Hybrid automatically loads, unloads and transports bulk materials. Its two conveyors are inclined at 45°, while the lighting system illuminates the working area and platforms. The DHS Hybrid can be operated in couplings from 2 to 12 units.
The DHS Hybrid from SRT. Source: Kirill Balberov/1520today.ru
SRT’s open-air stand showcased the T8000, T9000 and T10000C rail-road loaders, which were added to the company’s portfolio following the acquisition of Colmar Technik last year.
SRT rail-road loaders exhibited at InnoTrans 2024. Source: Kirill Balberov/1520today.ru
All the loaders on display in Berlin are equipped with diesel engines of varying power. The manufacturer positions them as universal machines for infrastructure maintenance and construction. A variety of attachments can be used to dig trenches, lay rails, tamp ballast and sleepers, trim bushes and trees along the tracks, and perform other tasks.
This year, SRT is once again exhibiting the Vulcano Light modular rail grinder, which, thanks to its small dimensions, can be used on metro lines.
The SRT Vulcano Light rail grinder. Source: Kirill Balberov/1520today.ru
The Vulcano Light is designed for track and turnout profiling, as well as enabling track geometry diagnostics and ultrasonic control. The grinder is available with 10 and 24 grinding stones.
Track machines from Plasser & Theurer
The Austrian company premiered the CompactFlex 4×4 tamping machine, developed for the state railway company TRC in Taiwan. It is equipped with a tamping unit with 16 tamping tines. Compared to previous track machines, the bi-directional CompactFlex 4×4 can easily penetrate heavily fouled ballast beds, consumes less fuel and features additional adjustments to reduce wear and noise emissions, says the company. The machine can also create a track geometry, control track parameters and perform other tasks using various units.
The CompactFlex 4×4 tamping machine. Source: Plasser & Theurer
The CompactFlex 4×4 tamping machine. Source: Plasser & Theurer
The vehicle is a part of the new Compact platform with a maximum axle load of 15 tf, which includes other track renewal trains and ballast profiling machines. The platform is designed for both narrow-gauge and metro lines from 1,000 to 1,676 mm and can be used with different power units.
Plasser & Theurer has also unveiled the InfraSpector, a rail-road mobile laboratory with a maximum operating speed of 60 km/h to measure track geometry, transverse and longitudinal profile, track width and ballast profile. Additional parameters can be integrated at the customer’s request and, as the company told Metro Report International, the laboratory is designed to accommodate all available sensor types.
The InfraSpector mobile laboratory. Source: Plasser & Theurer
Another track machine from Plasser & Theurer is the new hybrid CatenaryCrafter 15.4 E3 for the construction and maintenance of the catenary network. The first two machines of such type, powered by catenary, traction batteries and a 520 kW diesel generator, were launched last summer and testing began in December 2023 on the networks of the Austrian operator ÖBB.
The hybrid CatenaryCrafter 15.4 E3. Source: Plasser & Theurer
Equipped with the integrated European Train Control System, the vehicle arrives on site at a speed of up to 120 km/h, either self-propelled or as part of a trainset. Its equipment includes a positioner for contact wires and carrying cables, a crane, a three-part elevating work platform, and a cradle with a payload of 450 kg, which can be lifted to 7.5 m and moved 4 m sideways from the centre of the track. The CatenaryCrafter can accommodate 11 people.
Overhead line maintenance machines from Harsco Rail and Geismar
Harsco Rail’s new catenary maintenance machine was also on display at the Berlin show. It is equipped with a crane, a lifting platform and a technical support and maintenance module. Developed for the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), the Xtmas is powered by a Stage V 280 kW diesel engine and can accommodate eight people, according to the company.
The Xtmas overhead line maintenance machine from Harsco Rail. Source: Kirill Balberov/1520today.ru
Geismar of France has unveiled the first VMT 970 GR, Picker Dragon. This is a multifunctional track maintenance vehicle for the German infrastructure company DB InfraGO. Its cab features the ability to accommodate up to six people in addition to the driver, while the PKR 175 C crane from Palfinger can lift up to 1 t to a height of 12.5 m or 15.2 t.
The VMT 970 GR, Picker Dragon, from Geismar. Source: Kirill Balberov/1520today.ru
The VMT 970 GR, Picker Dragon, from Geismar. Source: Kirill Balberov/1520today.ru
The Picker Dragon’s 390 kW diesel engine provides a flatbed towing capacity of up to 150 t at a speed of up to 80 km/h, or up to 40 t on a 5‰ gradient. Its maximum travel speed is 100 km/h and the maximum grade is 67‰.
Rail grinding machinery from Loram and Windhoff
The American manufacturer Loram has introduced its first RGX train for Great Britain. Its modular structure allows for forming various trainsets which include from one to eight cars and have from 20 to 40 grinding stones. According to Loram, the grinder is intended for both mainlines and metro tracks. It is also possible to adjust the grind angles up to 75° on the gauge side and 25° on the field side. The machine is able to grind at a maximum speed of 24 km/h. Depending on the customer’s requirements, the RGX can be equipped with a diesel generator of up to 1,800 kW and water tanks with a capacity of up to 12,100 litres. In addition, the grinding vehicle is fitted with systems for rail profile measurement, rail surface imagery, integrated dust collection and noise suppression.
The grinder RGX from Loram. Source: Kirill Balberov/1520today.ru
One more debut at InnoTrans 2024 was the bi-directional VentuS NV SF50 grinding machine from the German manufacturer Windhoff. The grinder has been ordered by the Bielefeld public transport operator moBiel for the construction and maintenance of its tram tracks. In July, the new vehicle left the manufacturer’s Rheine site, after a 16-month design and construction period.
The VentuS NV SF50 grinder from Windhoff. Source: Kirill Balberov/1520today.ru
The grinding machine reportedly features a power capacity of 400 kW, a maximum speed of 60 km/h, and four tanks’ water capacity of 4,000 litres. The vehicle is primarily powered by catenary, with additional traction sources from a diesel engine and batteries, as the overhead lines are usually switched off during the track laying. The grinder can be fitted with supplementary options such as measuring devices for rail track inspection, snow removal equipment, catenary de-icing equipment, grass sprinkler system, and other systems and devices. Besides, Windhoff once again showcased its VentuS NV GAF tram track laying machine.
Rail milling train from Linsinger
A debut of the Austrian company has taken the form of the six-car Railmaster RM 21. It is touted as the world-first rail milling train with two independent traction systems. The train’s maximum power measures at 1.2 MW in catenary mode, with the Stage V diesel engine providing 740 kW of power and hydrogen fuel cells — 450 kW. The former traction mode allows for the self-propulsion as fast as 120 km/h, while in the latter two the train’s top speed is 100 km/h.
The RM 21 rail miling train from Linsinger. Source: Falk2/wikimedia
The operating speed is reported to be around 2 km/h though. The vehicle is able to remove material ranging in thickness from 0.1 to 6 mm in a single pass and can notably process both rails and switches. The RM 21 is designed to re-profile the rail both transversely and longitudinally as well as carry out eddy-current testing.
Rolling stock from other manufacturers
A 750 series automated ballast regulator designed by System7, Austria, was also displayed at InnoTrans. The self-propelled four-axle vehicle is to operate on 1,600 mm gauge lines. Touted to use LIDAR scanners to capture the present state of the ballast profile, the vehicle then provides reports on its characteristics. The ballast can be lifted, lined and tamped automatically based on an uploaded template, resulting in a brand-new track profile.
The vehicle is also equipped with a diagnostic system and panoramic cameras for the operator. Additionally, the brushes for removing excess ballast from sleepers can be changed single-handedly and swiftly, in 10 minutes. Once set up and certified, the machine will be operated by the Swiss Rhomberg Sersa (RSRG), which has a seven-year infrastructure maintenance contract with the national operator Irish Rail.
The self-propelled four-axle 705 series ballast regulator from System7. Source: Railway Gazette International
The Servicejet by Swiss Stadler was the only fire and rescue train displayed at the show. The three-car vehicle is capable of going both directions, no remarshalling needed, at speeds as high as 160 km/h. The drive power measures at 3,000 kW when coming from catenary, while the train itself is also able to operate autonomously using two diesel generator sets with a total capacity of 780 kW as well as a 280-kWh battery.
The Servicejet fire and rescue train from Stadler. Source: Kirill Balberov/1520today.ru
OBB-Infrastruktur ordered five of these fire and rescue trains from Stadler in December 2020, with the contract subsequently expanding to 18 trains at a total value of €230 million. See the earlier link for an in-depth article about this fire and rescue train published by ROLLINGSTOCK.
DB E.C.O., a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn, presented the 360° MSP. This multi-sensor platform is designed to capture railway infrastructure, creating a 3D model.
The 360° MSP multi-sensor platform. Source: Kirill Balberov/1520today.ru
The 360° MSP is based on a self-propelled railcar that uses a three-dimensional mapping system with GNSS, a panoramic camera, laser scanners and a georadar to scan the ground structure beneath the track. The vehicle travels along the tracks at speeds of up to 80 km/h while producing a map and making other measurements. It takes 24 hours to collect the data for a 3D model of a 200 km track.
The 3D model created by the 360° MSP. Source: Deutsche Bahn
The InnoTrans’s display of diagnostic machines was enhanced by a prototype measurement train from Končar of Croatia. The vehicle is based on the manufacturer’s diesel trains equipped with Mermec diagnostic equipment to monitor the condition of the track and overhead lines. The 25 m long train reportedly has a maximum speed of 140 km/h on both electrified and non-electrified lines.
The measurement train from Končar. Source: Kirill Balberov/1520today.ru
The German company Robel premiered the Rorunner E³ for metro track maintenance. The vehicle was handed over in a ceremony to SWM, the operator of Munich’s electrical network, which has ordered a total of ten of the machines. The Rorunner E³’s journey to and from the site is powered by a third rail, while on-site it uses the battery pack, which provides up to three hours of operation. The third source of traction, a diesel generator, acts as a back-up. Cranes and loading ramps are available on both sides.
The Rorunner E³ from Robel. Source: Falk2/wikimedia
Robel also unveiled the Romis train, designed for Hong Kong’s metro operator MTR. This vehicle was developed to perform maintenance work on the track infrastructure. The Romis consists of two sections connected by a gangway. The first is the work unit, which has no floor to facilitate access to the infrastructure. Its equipment includes welding, cutting and grinding tools. The second is the storage unit, used to transport materials, equipment and personnel. A locomotive hauls the Romis from the depot to the site and back.
The Robel Romis train. Source: Kirill Balberov/1520today.ru
The Romis work unit. Source: Kirill Balberov/1520today.ru
One more vehicle from Robel presented in Berlin is the head car of the Romill Urban E³. This rail milling machine for the metro is powered by a battery and a diesel engine, with the design, drive and rail milling technology developed by Schweerbau. The machine was presented for the first time in 2022 at the iaf, the international exhibition on track technology.
The head car of the Romill Urban E³ rail milling machine from Robel. Source: Kirill Balberov/1520today.ru
In its complete configuration, the Romill Urban E³ consists of three “cars”: a cab with three batteries, a rail milling machine with a chip compartment and another cab with a diesel engine. According to the manufacturer, the vehicle produces no dust or sparks, boasts a low noise level, and the by-product is collected in a separate container.
Read our reviews of InnoTrans 2024: passenger rolling stock, locomotives and shunting vehicles, LRV, freight cars
Read our reviews of InnoTrans 2022: MUs, locomotives, LRV, track machines
