The Austrian company Bahnbau Wels (BBW) aimed to be among the early adopters of Plasser & Theurer’s innovative, new E3 technology. In mid-2019, the new MDZ mechanised maintenance train in the E3 design was put on track to be prepared for full operation. A part of the Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group (see info box), Bahnbau Wels has been using Plasser & Theurer’s MDZ technology for many years. Now it has opted for the hybrid drive technology.
In November 2017, Bahnbau Wels and Plasser & Theurer entered into an “innovation partnership”. For several years already, the company has been using an MDZ 300, composed of an 09-4X Dynamic Tamping Express and a BDS 2000-4, as well as an MDZ comprising an 09-3X Tamping Express and a BDS 2000-4. BBW had also been operating an MDZ including a Unimat 09-32/4S universal tamping machine, which has been replaced by the two new E3 machines. These machines - all powered with diesel engines - have proven their efficiency in operation and the crew have become well versed in operating and servicing them.
The new machines are both equipped with electric and/or diesel-electric drives. The new BDS 2000-4 E³ is our sophisticated system for cost-efficient ballast maintenance on tracks and turnouts. The Unimat 09-8x4/4S Dynamic E³ is a track and turnout tamping machine with an integrated stabilisation trailer. It combines the features of a continuous action plain line tamping machine, a state-of-the-art turnout tamping machine and a dynamic track stabilizer.
