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SZU AG Expands Maintenance Capability with Plasser MultiCrafter 12.5 E³
Sihltal Zürich Uetliberg Bahn invests in a versatile, hybrid multi-purpose vehicle to enhance infrastructure maintenance on its high-gradient network.
www.plassertheurer.com
Sihltal Zürich Uetliberg Bahn (SZU AG), a partner of the Zurich Transport Network, is procuring a Plasser MultiCrafter 12.5 E³ C/I to improve infrastructure maintenance efficiency. Serving over 14 million annual passengers on a 27-kilometer network, SZU requires advanced equipment to maintain long-term capacity on heavily utilized lines, including the S4 and S10.
Versatile Operational Capabilities
The MultiCrafter serves as a multi-purpose platform capable of transporting personnel, building materials, and machinery directly to worksites. It features a loading platform for containers and a versatile crane designed for lifting and installation tasks on tracks and contact lines. The machine's application range is further extended through various attachments, including:
- Grapples and cable winches for general track work.
- Snow removal equipment for seasonal maintenance.
Performance on High-Gradient Topography
The SZU network includes the Uetliberg line, one of Europe's steepest adhesion railways with gradients reaching 79 per mille. The MultiCrafter utilizes an all-wheel-drive system to manage these steep inclines while transporting heavy loads. With a transfer-travel speed of up to 80 km/h, the vehicle can be rapidly deployed during short track possession windows to perform multiple maintenance tasks in a single session.
Hybrid E³ Drive Technology
The vehicle utilizes Plasser & Theurer’s E³ technology, a hybrid drive system that allows operation via electricity from overhead contact lines or a diesel-electric powerpack. This "Economic – Ecologic – Ergonomic" approach enables low-emission, quiet operation in urban environments.
Integrated Safety Systems
To ensure operational safety in demanding conditions, the onboard crane is equipped with several limiting functions:
- Safe load and height limitation to prevent structural or overhead interference.
- Adjacent track limitation to protect traffic on neighboring lines.
- End-to-end accessibility allows personnel to reach all working areas without entering track-level danger zones.
Edited with AI assistance.
www.plassertheurer.com
