'railway pick-up truck'

[RailAdept]

I’m looking for an English equivalent of a Polish special-purpose rail vehicle but so far have been unable to find any (the English terms I’ve found don’t seem to ring a bell when double-checked on English websites). Generally, the vehicle is used for transporting workers, tools and equipment to do various type of works (e.g. track maintenance). To me the vehicle looks like a railway kind of pick-up truck (hence the title of this thread). These vehicles cannot be coupled to a train set; they can be flat bedded and/or equipped with various functionalities (e.g. a crane).

A literal English translation of the original name: motor trolley. Is there anything similar used by railwaymen in the UK? If not, what would you call it?



Input appreciated.

Samples:

Please see Google images for more picutres.

 

[TheEdge]

Those sort of things normally just go by the generic title of On Track Machines. Sometimes Unimog is used universally as well, referring to anything rather than specifically the Mercedes truck.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

In olden days, we used petrol-powered Wickham trolley's for transporting permanent way, gang and inspection staff, tools etc. I'm at work and thus can't post a picture but there are plenty on the internet

The link posted below may help with more modern types

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/runni...r-the-railway/our-fleet-machines-and-vehicles

 

[DarloRich]

Those sort of things normally just go by the generic title of On Track Machines. Sometimes Unimog is used universally as well, referring to anything rather than specifically the Mercedes truck.

adopts Dull Nigel voice: technically on track plant. An on track machine is a tamper or similar. No, I will get my own coat.......................

Edit. Adopts double dull Nigel voice: Actually it could also be an RRV ( Road Rail Vehicle) like the Mitshubishi Canter conversions I have seen: https://www.aquariusrail.com/products/rail-canter/

 

[TheEdge]

technically on track plant. An on track machine is a tamper or similar. No, I will get my own coat.......................

Edit. Adopts double dull Nigel voice: Actually it could also be an RRV ( Road Rail Vehicle) like the Mitshubishi Canter conversions I have seen: https://www.aquariusrail.com/products/rail-canter/

Theres a few sat around Norwich at the moment that look like someone got bored and glued lots of different bits to a lorry and called it a day. 7.5t Iveco flatbed, cherry picker, support legs, road wheels, rail wheels, a pantograph, other bits and bobs.

 

[DarloRich]

Theres a few sat around Norwich at the moment that look like someone got bored and glued lots of different bits to a lorry and called it a day. 7.5t Iveco flatbed, cherry picker, support legs, road wheels, rail wheels, a pantograph, other bits and bobs.

sounds like a useful bit of kit

 

[fgwrich]

Probably the nearest thing to what you've described was that of the one off Geismar TRAM unit. Now scrapped though despite several attempts to sell it onwards.

http://www.carlswatson.com/Trains/G...anddr98305eastleighworks8thfebruary20182.html

 

[83A]

I have seen various LandRovers/Ford Ranger/Transits/Japanese 4x4s/Iveco’s that have a pony truck with flanged wheel attached front and rear to make them rail mounted.

I assume the phumatic tyres are height adjusted to be in contact with the rail for traction.

Like this -> https://www.aquariusrail.com/rail-ranger-delivered-to-helmsdale-scotland/

 

[TheEdge]

My personal favourite has to be the Sand Rover that runs between Marks Tey and Sudbury where real sandite trains can't go during leaf fall.

https://www.suffolkfreepress.co.uk/...-sudbury-branch-s-rail-reliability-1-7813103/

 

[edwin_m]

I have seen various LandRovers/Ford Ranger/Transits/Japanese 4x4s/Iveco’s that have a pony truck with flanged wheel attached front and rear to make them rail mounted.

I assume the phumatic tyres are height adjusted to be in contact with the rail for traction.

Like this -> https://www.aquariusrail.com/rail-ranger-delivered-to-helmsdale-scotland/

I think the pneumatic tyres stay as they are and the rail wheels are lowered down onto the rails. It looks like the road wheels have been lowered but I think that's because the vehicle has risen up on its springs as the rail wheels take some of the weight.

This type of actual road-rail pickup truck has been used for many years in the States for getting people and tools to the sites of minor repairs.

 

[83A]

I think the pneumatic tyres stay as they are and the rail wheels are lowered down onto the rails.

That's actually what I was saying (not very clearly apparently ) The pony trucks are adjusted until the tyres are in contact with the rail, enough for traction.

 

[DarloRich]

My personal favourite has to be the Sand Rover that runs between Marks Tey and Sudbury where real sandite trains can't go during leaf fall.

Why cant the RHTT go down there?

 

[DelW]

This type of actual road-rail pickup truck has been used for many years in the States for getting people and tools to the sites of minor repairs.

The US ones are called hi-rail trucks over there and are widely used, but they're smaller than those in the OP's photos (being based on standard road-going pickups).

Network Rail's nearest equivalents to the OP's examples are probably MPVs (multi purpose vehicle, rail only) and Unimogs or Canters (mentioned above, road or rail use). But there doesn't seem to be a generic name for them.

 

[Dunfanaghy Rd]

There used to be the GP-TRAMMs, built by Plasser. (Any of them still about?) Another term, used on the continent, is 'draisine'. Sounds French, but I have heard it in Slovenia so it may be universal.
Pat

 

[Ploughman]

A TASC unit is the nearest vehicle to the original question.
They used to be used for delivering spare parts and oils to the remote Tamper stabling sidings around the various regions.
Also used for Route learning by Tamper operators.
All withdrawn and at least 1 survives on the Nene Valley.

 

[Ploughman]

There used to be the GP-TRAMMs, built by Plasser. (Any of them still about?) Another term, used on the continent, is 'draisine'. Sounds French, but I have heard it in Slovenia so it may be universal.
Pat

Some TRAMMS still exist but used for OHLE Schemes rather than their original PW purpose of PW Maintenance and delivery of track materials.

Most have been scrapped or sold.
At least 1 is in preservation at Ribble Steam Railway at Preston.