UK: VolkerRail has awarded Swiss company Matisa a contract to build a further two B 66 UC tampers.
These will be used as part of VolkerRail’s contract to supply Network Rail with up to 12 on-track machines for maintenance tamping and plain line and switch & crossing renewals. The contract began in 2018 and runs for seven years. An initial two B 66 UC tampers were delivered to VolkerRail in 2019 and 2020, and the next two are scheduled to follow in March 2023.
The latest machines will have full S&C capability with a tamping-shuttle for high-output plain line working. Technical innovations will include a ballast comb and tandem tamping capabilities, which will improve safety, and operational efficiency, while reducing the environmental impact including CO2 emissions, ballast dust and noise.
A duplex traction capability will enable the machines to be coupled together both electrically and pneumatically to enable them to run as one train at the permitted line speed.
