The municipal transport company in Magdeburg have opted for the Unimog U 423 auxiliary train and thus for more flexibility. Within just a few months, the "quite normal" Unimog with its new generation Euro VI engine became a specialized vehicle for rapid rescue and service operation on the rail infrastructure. This new Unimog replaces its predecessor model built in 1992.
In order to create enough space for the planned double cabin and the box body, we extended the wheelbase of the chassis to 4500 mm and repositioned several components. The double cabin offers enough space for the four additional staff. The main parts of the box body fabricated by GMEINDER LOKOMOTIVEN GmbH consist of fiberglass to profit from low weight and therefore high payload.
ZAGRO designed the rail guidance system as a turntable system for trouble-free driving on the narrow curve radius (approx. 17 meters) of the rail sections at MVB. Each rail axle is equipped with a camera and a separate lighting device for safe night operation. The Unimog can easily manage the existing gradient up to six percent.
On average, 70 trams run in 24 hours service on the 130 kilometres distance of the Magdeburg rail network. Sometimes MVB must solve an incident in a very short time. Shortly after its commissioning, the rescue train had to prove its efficiency in a derailment. Equipped with special tools and re-railing equipment, the compact rescue vehicle was able to re-rail the tram precisely and safely. In the rapid rescue operation, it towed the broken-down tram to the depot. Thus, the track was quickly accessible again and they resumed the normal traffic within one hour only.
The new aid impresses the MVB Fleet Manager. Thanks to the flexible road rail Unimog with its state-of-the-art equipment and technology, the operating times are shortened, while the working conditions for the drivers are improved.
See a new video at our YouTube channel.
