According to Plasser & Theurer, the company will supply a highly modern fleet of maintenance vehicles to ÖBB-Infrastruktur, which feature its hybrid E3 drive concept for “emission-free working on-site”. The vehicles also offer improved ergonomic and modular design.
To ensure it continues to provide seamless rail services on its lines, ÖBB-Infrastruktur is currently renewing its entire maintenance vehicle fleet. For this project, Plasser & Theurer has been chosen following an EU-wide call for tenders.
The company will supply 56 vehicles to ÖBB-Infrastruktur, with a purchase option available for an additional 46. The vehicles will be optimized in line with ÖBB-Infrastruktur’s wishes and experiences using a modular design system.
The modular vehicle system means that standard carrier vehicles can be equipped with individual mounted structures (modules), which meet specific operational requirements. This reduces the cost of spare parts and maintenance significantly, according to Plasser & Theurer, and means the firm can supply ÖBB will three types of modular vehicles, rather than 12.
The vehicles include the Plasser CatenaryCrafter 15.4 E3 for overhead contact line installation and maintenance, as well as rapid intervention tasks, and the Plasser MultiCrafter 15.4 E3 for the inspection and maintenance of tunnels and bridges.
All vehicles will feature Plasser & Theurer’s Green E3 hybrid drive system for emissions-free maintenance. The system takes energy either from the overhead contact line or from batteries to power the train.
The contract represents the largest single order in the almost 70-year history of Plasser & Theurer, and it is the dawn of a new era in rail bound maintenance vehicles.