Many companies rely on tried-and-tested machines, but technical developments offer new possibilities. The machines retain their intact basic structure and defined refurbishment plans, and additional functions can be integrated.
GoTrack opts for a retrofit
Estonian track construction company GoTrack commissions a major refurbishment of its Unimat 08-275 from 1985. GoTrack, a leading railway infrastructure company in Estonia, had been working with Plasser & Theurer for years and quickly recognized the benefits of a professional refurbishment.
Retrofit: expertise and authorization guaranteed
GoTrack initially planned to refurbish the machine itself, but a discussion with Plasser & Theurer revealed the benefits of a professional retrofit. In addition to unique expertise and the optimal infrastructure in Linz, securing authorization in accordance with the EU's Fourth Railway Package was a decisive factor.
Extensive refurbishment
After the contract was signed, the Unimat 08-275 was dismantled in July 2024 and brought to Linz. The list of components installed was long:
- Completely new design and new ergonomic equipment for three cabs (including heating systems, air conditioning units, and windscreen heaters)
- New engine
- Refurbished bogies
- Refurbished braking system
- New hydraulic system
- New electrics including conversion to an LED lighting system
- Upgrade to SmartALC and DRP
- Refurbished tamping units
- Frequency control for the tamping units
- Refurbished lifting and lining unit
Despite the enormous scope of the project, work on the GoTrack machine was completed in time for iaf 2025 in Münster. After just under one year, they receive a completely refurbished and modernized machine at an economically attractive price. Following iaf, the GoTrack machine crew will come to Linz for ten days of training, followed by another ten days of training in Estonia, where maintenance staff will also be involved. After that, the Unimat 08-275 is ready to operate for many more years.
We have been using Plasser & Theurer machines for more than 15 years. Over the years, we have built up a fleet of five Plasser & Theurer machines, including lining, tamping, and ballast profiling machines. When making investment decisions, it is important for us to take costs, delivery times, and environmental aspects into account. Based on these considerations, we decided not to buy a new Unimat tamping machine, but to have an existing machine refurbished and modernized so that it is fully operational again.
Kalvi Pukka, CEO of GoTrack