Two new tampers were made at Plasser & Theurer's Linz, Austria facility in February 2023.They were transported to the UK earlier this year for final commissioning and calibration at Plasser & Theurer UK's West Ealing base. Following commissioning, the tampers underwent rigorous shakedown testing at Severn Valley Railway, which also enhanced the track quality for the heritage railway's volunteers and users.
Both tampers will operate in the Western region, collaborating with Network Rail to ensure track works are completed efficiently, minimizing delays and ensuring a safe, reliable service.
This addition aligns with Colas Rail UK's ongoing efforts to improve its On Track Plant fleet through innovative measures. These include utilizing Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells as sustainable diesel alternatives, retrofitting older tampers with System7 technology, or introducing a new Ballast Regulator into service last year.
