The 26th International Track Technology Exhibition (iaf 2013): a selection of exhibits shown

摘要

Earlier this year, 28-30 May 2013, the 26th International Track Technology Exhibition (iaf 2013), organised by the Association of German Railway Engineers (VDEI), took place in Minister, Germany, which attracted visitors from some 80 countries, who had come to see the latest developments and innovations in the field of railway track technology and services that were showcased by more than 200 companies from 21 countries, a small selection of which is addressed in this article. Under the motto "Quality cuts cost", Plasser & Theurer exhibited some 16 of its machines for maintenance of track and overhead line installations, among which were the following four new continuous-action track maintenance machines for turnouts: the URM 700 (Fig. 1): this is a universal ballast cleaning machine for plain track and turnouts that can perform nonstop maintenance of turnouts, due the guide-bar design of its excavation chain, which is infinitely adjustable up to a width of 6,100 mm, and can be inserted and removed without requiring any dismantling of the turnout or digging of an access hole. The URM 700 is a multi-talented machine that can also be used as a shoulder cleaning machine, as well as for deployment on short sections of track where only short track possessions are available (spot cleaning).