From May 20 to 22, 2025, the 29th International Exhibition of Track Technology (iaf) in Münster will once again unite key decision-makers from the rail industry, including railway operators, maintenance contractors, and infrastructure stakeholders. Under the motto “We believe in railways”, Plasser & Theurer will showcase its latest innovations, technologies, and services.
Ten new machines and vehicles for eight different countries represent a variety of requirements as well as exciting similarities. Adaptations to railway infrastructures require flexibility in terms of vehicle gauge lines, axle loads, track gauges, wheel profiles and region-specific requirements. These are all familiar factors that determine the daily work at Plasser & Theurer. In addition, there are general conditions that also affect the railway industry. These include, in particular, the unmet demand for sufficient skilled labour. Supporting assistance systems, bundling of measures and contributions to better working conditions with more safety and fewer people in the danger zone provide partial relief.
The company’s strong dedication to the railway system is evident in five key areas: innovation, sustainability, safety, reliability, and efficiency. Its solutions—including machines, drive technologies, and digital products and services—are designed to enhance and sustain the long- term economic efficiency of rail transport.
Innovation
Plasser & Theurer has set numerous technological standards with ongoing research and development. The increasing demands on the capacity of rail transport, combined with shorter track possessions and an increasing shortage of skilled labour, require innovative solutions for efficient maintenance. The company meets these challenges with a combination of automation, digitalization, and networked maintenance concepts and
The Plasser TampingAssistant, used in Japan, demonstrates a correlation of over 99% between the recommended actions of the assistance system and the working methods of experienced machine operators.
goes far beyond traditional machine solutions: intelligent systems, automated processes, and digital end-to-end solutions are making railway both more efficient and more sustainable.
The combination of decades of experience, high innovation standards, and a clear focus on digitalization forms the basis for developing the railway system further – with the aim of ensuring safe, efficient, and resource-saving infrastructure in the long term.
Sustainability
The transport sector accounts for roughly one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the urgent need for effective reduction strategies. Rail is already among the most sustainable forms of transport, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to other modes and playing a vital role in the global push toward a low- carbon future.
Fleet expansion in the UK: proven 4×4 flexibility for turnouts, now also with electric tamping unit.
Sustainable machines and systems that make the entire life cycle of railway tracks more efficient and lower in emissions are a key element of these endeavours. Plasser & Theurer has made an important contribution to this with its E³ concept, which allows environmentally friendly, high- performance machines to be created with new ergonomic and ecological standards. E³ products were originally based on hydraulic drives via the overhead contact line or a diesel engine. As the concept was developed further, all-electric and battery-powered options were added. They reduce emissions during operation even further and aid in the transition to carbon-reduced track maintenance.
Modern work cabins in track maintenance offer safety and ergonomics and get people out of the danger zone.
Greater use of digital and automated solutions in track maintenance not only improves its efficiency, but also significantly increases safety when operating track maintenance machines. Occupational safety increases when staff are not deployed directly to the danger zone. Modern sensor and camera systems enable precise infrastructure monitoring and inspection without the need for staff to be in the immediate vicinity. Sound insulation, ergonomic cabs, and dust reducing systems ensure greater safety and a more ergonomic working environment, further reducing the risk of accidents.
Reliability
To meet the growing demands of modern track maintenance, machine reliability, optimal performance, and sufficient capacity are crucial. Modern fleet management systems provide significant benefits by enabling continuous monitoring of all machine components and allowing operators to detect maintenance
A digitalized, highly automated tamping process reduces the workload on operating personnel and delivers consistent results.
demands strategic planning that integrates resource efficiency, optimized processes, and technological advancement. The goal is to maintain long-term infrastructure performance while minimizing the use of time, personnel, and materials.
A key approach is to enhance resource efficiency—for instance, by reclaiming ballast during the cleaning process. This reduces material costs and the demand for new resources, all while maintaining the track’s quality and stability. Another important strategy is to consolidate various work activities within a single track possession, which significantly boosts track capacity.
Thinking from end to end: Pre-measurement, work preparation, track maintenance and post-measurement – Plasser SmartTamping lays the foundation for tomorrow’s decisions today.
Effective planning and execution of construction activities are essential to securing long-term infrastructure stability. High-quality maintenance relies on comprehensive solutions that encompass every stage of the process— from initial condition assessment and detailed as-built data capture to pre-measurement, implementation, and final post-measurement with thorough documentation. Seamless integration of system interfaces is also crucial. Advanced machines can consolidate multiple work steps, executing them simultaneously with greater precision and consistent accuracy.
We believe in railways
By using modern track maintenance machines and digitally supported processes in a systematic way, resources can be utilized more efficiently, downtimes reduced, and maintenance intervals extended. The outcome is more economical, efficient, and sustainable railway lines.
Find out more at: https://www.plassertheurer.com/de/iaf2025/start
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