The Plasser APT1500RL Welding Truck utilizes well-proven welding components such as the APT1500R Welding Robot (welding head), a generator, and a hydraulic crane. The welding components are mounted on a truck chassis equipped with hi rail gear. The simple and versatile mode of transportation of the APT1500RL ensures high availability and cost-efficient operation. Key features of the newly developed APT1500R Welding Robot are the clamping jaws and pulling cylinders with 168 tons of traction force and a 10 inch pulling distance. This enables the robot to perform closure welds without the use of an external rail puller. The welding process is fully automated. In normal conditions, this means the Welding Robot head only needs to be lowered onto the working area and then the fully automatic work process begins. Using the auxiliary clamps, the Welding Robot automatically centers, aligns and crowns the rail. The welding head also incorporates an internal rail shear which can shear the rail immediately upon completion of the weld without opening the clamping jaws.