today 144
today 144
The new UnimatExpress series offers planning reliability, regardless of the expected utilization. The potential of this versatile all-rounder has been recognized by companies in various markets.
Previously, I had to adjust the tamping pressure manually to the prevailing conditions, especially when the ballast quality varied greatly or there were different amounts of ballast in the sleeper crib. Now, the machine does this automatically and it works incredibly well. In my experience, this helps us reduce the risk of damage to the sleepers and makes the track position more stable.
Richard Verweij
machine operator at Vanormelingen-Stas
Despite its focus on turnout maintenance, the machines’ continuous-action tamping technology is also highly advantageous for maintaining connecting tracks and producing ramps before and after turnouts. The 2X-4x4 and 8x4 universal tamping units feature a similar basic design, with both offering 1-sleeper and 2-sleeper tamping mode. The difference is in the detail. Choosing the best unit depends on the respective infrastructure and the typical working conditions on site.
The solutions of choice for turnouts and plain-line track
Both units offer flexibility and manoeuvrability thanks to rotating suspensions, telescopic guides for treating the fourth rail of the turnout, and tilting tamping tines that enable quick reactions to obstacles such as turnout drives or signalling installations.
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. It is the perfect tamping unit for maintaining station areas, cross-overs, and for tamping several turnouts and short line sections in between. Thanks to its flexible design, the tamping unit is also equally ideal for the opposite task: tamping a few turnouts and longer sections of plain-line track.
The 8x4 tamping unit offers even greater flexibility and truly comes into its own when primarily used in turnouts. Users benefit from this adaptability even when working with irregular sleeper spacing, twin sleepers, or hollow sleepers. Eight independent tamping unit segments fitted with tilting tines unlock this extra versatility in 2-sleeper tamping mode in turnouts.
Below, we will showcase a few recent examples that reflect these two units and the variety of equipment options.
Versatile tamping in Sweden with 2X-4x4
Infrakraft has already been using 2X-4x4 tamping technology for a number of years. With up to 200 shifts per year, users have come to appreciate the tamping units’ versatility. Alongside turnouts, the units are mainly used to treat plain-track lines of around 1,000 m. The integrated sweeping unit leaves a clean finish by removing excess ballast. Camera systems increase safety on worksites that are mostly active at night. The company has already ordered a further UnimatExpress 2X-4x4 Dynamic.
Green drive technology for 8x4 in the Netherlands
The Unimat used by VolkerRail features a fully electric drive and is fitted with the latest innovations. Alongside full digital support for working on plain-line track and turnouts, the maintenance system offers track geometry measurement at transfer-travel speed. The ReferencedGeometry dual camera system provides references to fixed points on the mast bolts during travel. This enables comprehensive end-to-end track maintenance, from analysis and work preparation to maintenance and documentation.
Automatic adjustment to ballast condition in Belgium
Rail construction firm Vanormelingen-Stas is seeking to make life easier for the next generation of machine operators. This is reflected in the equipment of the machine, where Plasser TampingControl adjusts the tamping pressure to achieve lasting compaction beneath the sleeper.
Green machines with 2X-4x4 for Norway
Baneservice is turning its infrastructure maintenance machinery green. And we’re not just talking about the paint job on the new fleet. One of the machines was on show live at iaf in 2025. Both feature the new technical layout of the UnimatExpress series. The versatile 2X-4x4 unit here is powered electrically with green electricity from the overhead contact line. In Norway, the OCL carries 15 kV of alternating current, but the new series is also available in the E³ version for 25 kV of direct current.
