today 141
today 141
Mota-Engil is expanding its machine fleet by a Unimat 09-2X-4x4/4S Dynamic. This will be the first high-capacity tamping machine working in the Portuguese operational area. Thanks to the technologically advanced universal tamping unit and other innovations installed on the machine, the international construction company has everything on board for providing a consistently high-quality track geometry in an efficient manner on Portugal’s tracks, both on plain lines and in turnouts.
Mota-Engil uses the Unimat 09-2X-4x4/4S Dynamic to strengthen its market position as an international, innovative contracting group of companies on a global scale. With the aim of meeting the highest demands of modern railway networks, the Unimat was handed over in May this year and put into operation shortly afterwards. A special feat for the region, since the innovative machine configuration is being deployed on the Iberian peninsula for the first time, both for new track and for maintenance. This will not be limited to Portugal only, but it is also envisaged to be used beyond its national borders. Apart from the specific regional track gauge of 1,668 mm, the Unimat 09-2X-4x4/4S Dynamic is also capable of working on track with the European standard gauge of 1,435 mm.
The first main area of operation – for which the machine is equipped perfectly – will be the high-speed line between Lisbon and Porto, which is currently under tender. The 2-sleeper tamping machine offers high output with extra flexibility. For Mota-Engil this will pay off, especially considering the short track possessions during maintenance tamping. The Unimat 09-2X-4x4/4S Dynamic is a continuous-action high-capacity universal tamping machine designed for secondary lines as well as for challenging high-speed lines. The 2X-4x4 tamping unit combines universal 4x4 turnout tamping in 1-sleeper mode with increased performance on plain-line track and wide parts of the turnout with the 2-sleeper mode.
The Portuguese Unimat 09-2X-4x4/4S Dynamic stands for high precision and performance in track geometry corrections as well as high-quality ballast compaction and work output.
In Portugal and the Portuguese-speaking countries, Mota-Engil is a market leader in the areas of underground construction, waste management, road concessions, and logistics. Mota-Engil is steadily ranked among the 25 biggest European construction companies, operating in 23 countries in Europe, Africa, and Latin America. In the area of railway infrastructure construction and maintenance, Mota-Engil relies exclusively on machines by Plasser & Theurer.
In addition to the advantages for maintenance tamping with short track possessions, Mota-Engil's new Unimat is also impressive on new track. Thanks to continuous-action working, 2-sleeper mode, and the resulting working speed of up to 1,300 m/h, worksites can be completed more quickly and with increased sustainability at the same time.
The integrated Dynamic Track Stabilizer (DGS) makes a big contribution to a long-lasting track geometry. The DGS causes the ballast grains to rearrange in a more homogeneous structure. This means that the dynamic forces produced by rail traffic are more evenly distributed within the formation. Therefore, there is no longer a need for speed restrictions after tamping. The controlled settlement of the track caused by the DGS increases the lateral track resistance, providing additional safety. Integrating the DGS within the tamping machine makes the track possession more efficient. Tamping and stabilizing are performed in one pass, doing away with a subsequent work process.
Mota-Engil is optimizing and expanding its existing fleet, which consists exclusively of Plasser & Theurer machines. The market leader is currently upgrading its existing machines through retrofits carried out by its service partner Plasser Ibérica. This year, 08-32, 08-275, and USP 403 machines have been overhauled and upgraded to the latest technology in Africa. But the company’s international fleet is also expanded with brand-new machines. By 2024, a Unimat 08-4x4/4S, a 09-2X, and three SSP 203 machines will be supplied to Nigeria.
