Holmatro develops a faster, lighter and safer Re-railing System for Dutch rail infrastructure manager

Years of experience combined with the most modern engineering in a single system

Getting rolling stock back on the rails is an accurate and painstaking process. A thorn in the flesh of rail infrastructure managers as well as for many passengers. Reason enough to closely study the current rerailing process and to look for a quicker, lighter, better controllable and safer solution. "Our client was looking for an innovative rerailing system in which their years of experience could be processed” says Diederik Bekkering, Sales Manager at Holmatro. Holmatro soon appeared on the horizon and turned out to be the most suitable partner for our client’s needs.

A 90-ton freight wagon, filled with water, back on the tracks in no-time

“The result of the close collaboration was astounding: a re-railing system completely adapted to our requirements, equipped with the most modern technology. We have tested the system extensively on different types of rolling stock. Also on a goods wagon which was completely filled with water. The total weight of the wagon amounted to 90 tons. Despite this extreme weight, the rerailing system functioned safely and controlled. Because we were able to move the wagon sideways on the hoisting cylinders, it was back on the rails in no time at al." says the Team leader Accident Prevention of the rail infrastructure management company.

Lightweight components

Bekkering endorses the story of the Team leader. “Close cooperation made it possible to develop and extremely user friendly system. It is constructed of components that are easy to assemble and disassemble and is at least 50% lighter than other systems that are available in the market. Using sliding bearings under the transverse carriages it is possible to have a controlled movement towards the side, without shocking.”

Safe, controlled lifting and lateral movement

The entire system is driven by a Holmatro Quatro pump with four segregated exits. This guarantees uniform and controlled cylinder strokes. The Quatro pump can be operated using a wireless remote control. This makes it possible for the operator to move freely around the rail vehicle. In addition for this operation the pump does not have to be in the vicinity of the tracks, but can remain out of the way in the breakdown vehicle.