Track specialists meet at IAF in Münster

The event is organised by German railway engineering association VDEI, and more than 15 000 trade visitors and 150 exhibitors are expected to attend from all over the world. ‘Preparations are in full swing to make IAF 2025 another highlight for the industry’, explains Prof Birgit Milius, President of VDEI. ‘With our motto ‘Track to the Future’, we are focusing on the connection between machine technology and digital solutions in order to further increase efficiency and sustainability in track construction.’ 

The trade fair offers a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in track technology, with 15 000 m² of hall space, 6 000 m² of outdoor space and more than 3 000 m of track. Visitors can look forward to a presentation of large-scale machines for track and superstructure, innovative software products and a varied programme of lectures.  

 ‘Spot on’ technology from Plasser & Theurer 

Track machine and digital services specialist Plasser & Theurer hopes that the technology it is showcasing at IAF will help to make the railway ‘even safer, more sustainable and more economical’. Its exhibits this year are focusing on five thematic areas: innovation, sustainability, safety, reliability, and efficiency. 

Under the banner of ‘spot-on solutions’, the company will have several of its latest tamping machines on display, highlighting what it sees as pioneering innovations. One will be the 09-16/CST Dynamic, used by a Japanese railway. This machine demonstrates how the issues of shorter track possessions and increasing staff shortages can be overcome in a sustainable manner. The 09-16/CST Dynamic can tamp, sweep and stabilise in one pass, thus making optimum use of shorter windows for engineering works.  

The RM 80-750 ballast cleaning machine will be used to highlight the importance of removing maintenance personnel from dangerous work on the track itself. The machine features a hydraulic chain locking mechanism for the excavation chain and a transport and fitting aid for the excavating links; together, these help to reduce the number of staff working in the danger zone.  

Accurate measuring technologies, continuous monitoring, and predictive maintenance strategies are another core focus. The Plasser InfraSpector Truck is a road-rail vehicle designed for flexible measurement and inspection of urban and suburban rail networks. Combining the latest measuring systems with the flexibility of a road-rail vehicle allows for precise condition recording in just one pass, the company says.  

Refurbishment and retrofitting of older machines will also be high on the agenda at IAF. Plasser & Theurer will be offering a case study using Unimat 08-275 operated by Estonian contractor Go Track. The tamper was built in 1985 and has now undergone a major refurbishment by Plasser & Theurer that has seen it fitted with a raft of modern components and functions. The ‘new old machine’ will be handed over at a ceremony in Münster.   

Welding innovation in the spotlight 

Pandrol will be showcasing its i+weld and i+align products at IAF. 

The company will be carrying out practical demonstrations of the i+weld advanced welding method, first launched at last year’s InnoTrans trade fair. The approach helps railway welders to complete more welds in less time with semi-automated processes that reduce the physical strain on staff and streamline training. 

Visitors will also be treated to a demonstration of i+align, which Pandrol says is an innovative lightweight alignment system for aluminothermic welding. The i+align system can be handled by one person, who chooses alignment parameters and then presses start on a tablet PC. The rail is then automatically aligned within a couple of minutes, providing accuracy for the welder and offering complete work traceability, Pandrol says. 

‘We have had a fantastic response to i+weld since its launch’, says Nicolas Demond, Head of Engineering for aluminothermic welding at Pandrol. ‘We are looking forward to demonstrating both i+weld and i+align at the IAF exhibition.  These two solutions work perfectly in combination to provide confident track alignment, leading to greater accuracy, increased safety and greater productivity from welds.’ 

Sustainability and demographic challenges tackled 

Celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, small plant supplier Robel will be exhibiting its range of handheld, rail-mounted and robot-assisted track maintenance machines and measuring systems in the outdoor area. 

With new grinding and drilling machines, rail jacks, and track trolleys, Robel Machinery & Tools will demonstrate innovations in alternative drive technologies and ergonomics. Newly fitted 800 Wh batteries enable a data readout via Bluetooth or wi-fi for the first time. 

Plasser Robel Services will be showing off a redesigned SSP 110 SW ballast leveller, which has been refurbished according to the latest environmental standards.  

Robel is tackling the demographic crisis by investing in automation. An example being launched at the show is the automated Rowrench-8 spindle wrenching machine. 

Robel Rail Automation will present its approach to the fully automated welding of manganese crossings using its Robot Container, while showcasing a project on certification of rail welds in the Netherlands to the IAF audience. 

Robel’s measuring equipment arm Vogel & Plötscher will be presenting its MessReg IMU and MessReg CTS II tools for digital track geometry measurement, supported by software from fellow Plasser & Theurer subsidiary TMC. 

Also on show will be the 002 Series Rospect modular inspection platform. This can record track geometry automatically and is equipped with a 3D environmental scanner and ground-penetrating radar antenna.