A hybrid 'green' rail elevator

For some time, a new type of hybrid aerial work platform for railroads has been on the market, the EcoRailer. It operates 100% electrically, but can also be used in combination with the internal combustion engine. Railcare in Noordwijkerhout developed the machine. The company has been working for more than 12 years in the rental and development of rail-related machines such as aerial work platforms, cranes, rotary telescopic handlers and now the EcoRailer hybrid aerial work platform.

"We are a service provider available 24/7," says Wibo van der Laaken, director-owner of Railcare BV. "This is necessary because we facilitate rail-related work. Our machines transport the people performing this work from high to low and from A to B. The machines are also used to transport goods and perform work such as de-rusting the track with the RailHog, for example. We work for rail contractors approved by ProRail, among others. The equipment is rented out unmanned, but also manned."

The Railhog's uses include de-rusting the track.

Perform work at height quickly and easily

The "green" EcoRailer is an aerial platform for performing work at height quickly and easily. It is a machine that can be used anywhere on the track and functions excellently in tunnels, among other places. This is thanks to the fact that the EcoRailer 100% can operate electrically and thus produces no exhaust fumes. "It is an environmentally friendly and noiseless machine. In tenders, this can be an additional plus for awarding a contract. The boom lift is inexpensive and easy to operate. The person who operates it does need a machine tool operator certificate. If a company does not have anyone available to do this, we will provide the operator ourselves," says Van der Laaken. The EcoRailer is suitable for regular ProRail track, as well as local streetcar track and has, among other things, permission for Infrabel track (Belgium).

Deployment on various major projects

The new EcoRailer is a nice addition to Railcare's rental fleet that has already been deployed on many rail-related projects such as the Betuweroute, the HSL line and the Noord/Zuidlijn. But also with the new construction of stations in Utrecht and Rotterdam, and recently also with project ZuidAsdok. A comprehensive plan to improve the accessibility of Amsterdam's Zuidas and the northern Randstad, including a complete renovation of Amsterdam-Zuid station. Van der Laaken: "The construction consortium has already started the first infrastructure works. We are supplying various machines to this, including the rotary telescopic handler and, of course, soon the EcoRailer!"