Colas Rail UK has added two new Plasser & Theurer 09-4×4/4S Tampers to its track maintenance fleet.

The tampers, numbered DR75016 and DR75017 continue Colas Rail UK’s investment in the latest technology that maintains its position as a key supplier to Network Rail of On Track Machines in the UK.

Both new tampers were built at Plasser & Theurer factory at Linz in Austria. Constriction started in February 2023, and they were transported to the UK earlier this year to undergo final commissioning and calibration at Plasser & Theurer UK’s base at West Ealing next to the Great Western main line in West London.

Before entering service with Network Rail, the tampers underwent final shakedown and testing at the Severn Valley Railway.

The use of the Severn Valley Railway for testing and shakedown of the tampers will also improve the track quality of the railway for its volunteers and users of its network.

After final acceptance, both Tampers will enter service in Network Rail’s Western region, and contribute to ensure timely completion of track works so that lines can be handed back at normal line speed, thereby avoiding delays and providing a safe and reliable service.

Delivery of the new tampers follows news of Colas’ commitment to introducing innovations to its On Track Plant fleet.

These include the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells as sustainable diesel alternatives, retrofitting System7 technology to older model Tampers, and a new Ballast Regulator which entered service last year.

The first of Colas Rail’s 09-4×4 Unimat tampers joined its fleet in April 2019, and two more in April 2020, with all four machines being deployed throughout the Western and Wales and Southern Network Rail regions.

This continued investment in new machines demonstrates Colas Rail’s commitment to having a modern fleet of machines to ensure the best operational performance for the client as well as demonstrating our commitment to carbon reduction by replacing 20+ year old Tampers with machines that have the latest EU Stage 5 emissions compliant engines.

Paul Conway, Colas Rail UK Head of Engineering and Compliance