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9/13/2024
Compiled by Jeff Stagl, Managing Editor
Harsco Rail’s surfacing equipment portfolio — a suite of 16-tool tampers and stabilizers — continues to evolve. The company is integrating new technologies and incorporating changes to ensure its equipment solutions align with customers’ needs, Harsco Rail officials said in an email.
One example: The launch of the TX16 Production/Switch Tamper, a culmination of experience from an extensive tamper portfolio, global expertise and innovative solutions that resulted in a 16-tool tamper with unprecedented work window utilization, they said.
The TX16 is designed to leverage tie-finding, non-contact measurement, hybrid indexing, and cab push-button buggy deploy and stowage to reduce measurement, setup, tamping and stowage time.
That helps maximize work within shrinking maintenance windows, Harsco Rail officials said. The same technologies can be implemented on many of the company’s other tampers.
Today, railroads demand improved scheduling, high equipment utilization, equipment ease-of-use and digitization — demands that not only combat declining maintenance windows and a transitional knowledge gap in the labor force, but also support data-driven decisions and asset tracking, Harsco Rail officials said. They believe the TX16 delivers on all those fronts with increased productivity from startup to shut down.
The TX16 speeds up every aspect of the workday, and safely, company officials said. Cab deployable/stowable reference, integrated high-speed measurement, automated tamping and hybrid index combine to significantly increase overall productivity.
The TX16 leverages Harsco Rail’s multigenerational product, technology and service experience, such as the Jupiter Control, Callisto Protamp and Mobile Asset Recording System options, company officials said. The tamper is engineered to safely deliver high production and accurate track correction within a reliable, versatile and truckable 16-tool machine.
The shortage of skilled labor and an increased demand for capacity are major trends affecting the tamping market worldwide. Plasser American aims to address those challenges by continuously innovating and expanding machine capabilities, company officials said.
Last year, Plasser American introduced the GRM4000, which features a redesigned two-tie tamping unit designed to significantly boost production rates. The machine offers an improved weight distribution, making it suitable for transport via road trucks or flat cars, company officials said.
The GRM4000 can be integrated with the Plasser Dynamic Track Stabilizer PTS90C using the Autonomous Remote Stabilizer Upgrade Kit.
Installed on both the stabilizer and the tamping machine, the kit allows the stabilizer to be controlled by the main machine operator, eliminating the need for an additional operator, Plasser American officials said. Field tests have verified its safety and effectiveness, enhancing efficiency and flexibility in track maintenance, they added.
The 09-2X DYNACAT tamper features a two tie-tamping unit and an integrated dynamic track stabilizer to further improve efficiency. Additionally, the machine can be equipped with the Tamping Assistant, which contributes to the automation of the tamping process.
The system uses sensors, artificial intelligence and neural networks to create a digital model of tracks and turnouts. It is designed to detect obstacles in real time and automatically position the tamping, lifting and lining units accordingly, company officials said.
The operator supervises and approves the machine’s suggestions, ensuring consistent high-quality tamping and enhancing the usability and operational convenience of the machines, they said.
RCE Equipment Solutions has introduced several new John Deere P-Series excavator models in its Railavator lineup. They range from 5-metric-ton through 35-metric-ton models, including the 50P, 85P, 135P, 210P, 245P, 250P, 345P and 350P options.
Updates from the previous generation of the equipment include an increase in engine horsepower, improved hydraulic performance, technology integration and improved cab comfort. RCE installs its hi-rail system on the machines to perform rail maintenance tasks.
The smaller models — including the 85P and 135P Railavators — are now available with an updated drive system that was introduced last fall at Railway Interchange 2023 in Indianapolis, RCE officials said. The units are equipped with a recently redesigned lineup of specialized attachments to perform various tasks.
A primary focus for RCE in 2024 is the new integration of safety systems into all available models. There will be several new optional integrated technologies, including height and slew limiting systems, collision avoidance, worker detection systems and AI 360 camera detection, company officials said.
They believe the technologies will help keep workers safe and reduce the number of accidents in the workplace. Railavators that include the new technology updates are available for sale, rent or lease.
Email questions or comments jeff.stagl@tradepress.com.