The versatile road rail vehicle offers the best solution for light shunting operations. It can be radio-controlled so that you can change from road to rail and back. It operates on rail tracks and on conventional roads or you can plug it into a power outlet. This is because it has a battery-powered electrical drive. This allows you to shunt wagons in closed areas, storage spaces, and production regions.
Specifications of the road-rail vehicle
Often these are road vehicles converted but original road rail vehicles are also manufactured. Usually, the ability of the rail vehicle to negotiate the gradient is 1:25 with the least radius of the curve being 80m. Propulsion is through the conventional tyres though flanged wheels are present to help it run on the rails. Superelevation of the outer rail is 160 mm and the track gauge is 1435 mm.
The road rail vehicle comes with a smart steering concept which coupled with the best traction and intelligent drive technology, makes it safe and easy to use it. You can do shunting operations up to 300 tons. They also help with activities like mast erection and beam erection, augering, overhead electrification, and flash butt welding. Their usefulness is due to their versatility and extreme manoeuvrability.
Wheels on the vehicle
Track guide rails are in use when the RRV has to negotiate the railway track. These operate through hydraulics by a system that ensures the proper selection of the track guide units automatically adjust to each other and compensate for each other. They readjust to new conditions and so it moves well. When we need stability for the rail we may lock the hydraulic steering.
The railroad truck gets solid traction because of the thick rubber tyres. The vehicle is for one-man operation so it doesn’t consume manpower. It comes with joystick controls that are accurate to the millimetre. So, the vehicle remains protected during movement. A variety of coupling systems and battery packs add to the versatility of the vehicle. There are ample extra features along with safety provisions to make the vehicle secure for use in all conditions.
Steering stability is good
Extra stability gets added to the vehicle because of its self-weight of 4.5 tons. This is very different from other shunting systems that are too clumsy to handle. The ingenious geometry of the steering mechanism allows one to negotiate 360° turns with ease. The steering control mechanism allows a turning radius of 27m. You can also steer it using the radio control that controls the motors on the wheel hub. Since the steering replaces the speed control of the wheels we can do away with the steering columns that one finds in articulation steering systems.
One uses RRVs for railway electrification works for both mass transit and main line metro railways. One uses 25 GVW trucks with telescopic knuckle boom cranes for this. They remain fitted with auger attachments and undertake 900-1200 diameter holes for mast erection. You can have customized trucks for the placement of masts and filling the mast surface with concrete.
