TALLERES ALEGRÍA S.A. TRACK CAR WITH TOWER FOR ...

Ferrovías Astur (Talleres Alegría S.A.) 

Polígono industrial Silvota, parcela 104, 33192 Llanera, Spain 

Phone +34-985-269-288, fax +34-985-980-059, 

ferrovias@talegria.com 

TALLERES ALEGRÍA S.A. 

TRACK CAR WITH TOWER FOR 

OVERHEAD CONTACT LINE 

MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION 

-VEL400- 

DESCRIPTION 

EDITION 2 

VEL400 description leaflet Page 1 / 16

CONTENTS 



Phone +34-985-269-288, fax +34-985-980-059, 


0 VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS ...................................................................................... 3 

0.1 TECHNICAL DATA............................................................................................................... 4 

1 CABIN...................................................................................................................................... 5 

1.1 CONTROL DESK ................................................................................................................. 5 

1.2 SIDE VIEW OF THE CONTROL DESK ................................................................................. 6 

1.3 CABIN VIEW ....................................................................................................................... 7 

1.4 REMOTE CONTROL ............................................................................................................ 7 

2 PERFORMANCE.................................................................................................................. 8 

3 WHEELSET AND SUSPENSION................................................................................... 10 

4 LIGHTING ............................................................................................................................ 11 

5 THE CRANE ........................................................................................................................ 12 

6 THE TOWER ....................................................................................................................... 13 

6.1 TOWER CONTROLS .......................................................................................................... 13 

7 OPTIONS .............................................................................................................................. 14 

7.1 CATENARY HEIGHT MEASUREMENT AND VIEWING MONITOR. ..................................... 14 

7.2 WORK CAGE..................................................................................................................... 15 

7.3 DIESEL ENGINE CATALYST.............................................................................................. 15 

7.4 REMOTE CONTROL .......................................................................................................... 15 

7.5 AIR CONDITIONING DEVICE ............................................................................................ 16 


0 Vehicle characteristics 



Phone +34-985-269-288, fax +34-985-980-059, 


The VEL400 track car is a two-axled vehicle designed for the servicing and 

maintenance of the overhead contact line (also known as catenary). It is fitted with a work 

platform (currently tower), a crane for lifting loads, a platform for carrying various items and 

tools, and a soundproofed cabin able of carrying a team of six people. As options, it can 

carry a pantograph and other equipment to measure catenary parameters and a cage for 

two operators (attachable to the crane). 

It is driven by a 6-cylinder diesel engine and has a maximum horsepower of 450 C.V. 

This power is transmitted to the axles by means of an electronically controlled hydrostatic 

transmission. The vehicle is fitted with all of the equipment required to circulate on 

railtrack, such as “dead man’s handle” equipment (security device), and UIC-approved 

traction and buffer gear elements. Moreover, it is fitted with an electro-pneumatic brake 

system with compact brake blocks and shoes in accordance with UIC standards. 

The VEL400 has two speed ranges: 0-100 Km/h and 0-5 Km/h. There is a control at 

the tower that allows circulation at 5 Km/h, as well as the proper movements of the 

platform. Besides, the crane has a remote control for itself. In case of an emergency, both 

crane and tower movements can be done with a manual hydraulic pump. All vehicle 

operations are controlled by means of a PLC, and a touch screen displays all the information 

concerning the track car. The VEL400 has power and pneumatic plugs to connect tools 

during work. 


0.1 Technical data 



Phone +34-985-269-288, fax +34-985-980-059, 


DIMENSIONS 

Track gauge (as needed) 1435 mm 

Total length between buffers 12000 mm 

Wheel base 6000 mm 

Surface height from the car body to the rail 1300 mm 

Platform width 2600 mm 

Height of the coupling hook to the rail 1060 mm 

Height from the rail to the floor of the collapsed tower 3500 mm 

Height from the rail to the floor of the completely extended 

5500 mm 

tower 

Tower floor space 7 m² 

Loading platform floor space 9.5 m² 

BASICS 

Gross weight 31 t 

Tare weight 28 t 

Horsepower 336 kW (457 HP) 

Maximum speed in both directions 100 km/h (90 recommended) 

Working speed (control at tower) 5 km/h 

Wheel diameter 760 mm 

Brake Electro-pneumatic (UIC) 

Primary suspension Springs with oil dampers 

Secondary suspension (cabin) Rubber shock absorbers 

LOADING CRANE 

Standard hydraulic outreach 

12.8 m (horizontal), 15.6 m 

(vertical) 

Standard outreach / lifting capacity 2.6 m: 4400 Kg 

12.7 m: 780 Kg 

Slewing angle 410º 

Height in folded position (from the loading platform) 2.27 m 

Weight (with 3.6 m jacks) 

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT 

2045 Kg. 

Batteries 2x12 V (190 A*h each) 

Generating set 15 KVA 

Alternating current 

CABIN CONDITIONING 

230 V 

Heating capacity 

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION 

5600 W 

Engine Diesel 6 cylinder 

Maximum output 336 kW (457 HP) 

Fuel tank capacity About 1000 l 

Transmission 

Electronic hydrostatic on both 

axles 

Reduction gearbox Straight gearing on each axle 


1 Cabin 



Phone +34-985-269-288, fax +34-985-980-059, 


In this section, some photographs and drawings of each one of the track car’s cabin 

components are shown: 

1.1 Control desk 

It includes all the engine, brake, lighting and auxiliary controls, as well as the engine 

and vehicle information touch screen. A general view of the control desk can be seen on this 

page. 




Phone +34-985-269-288, fax +34-985-980-059, 


1.2 Side view of the control desk 

“DEAD MAN’S HANDLE” 

JUNCTION BOX 

REMOTE CONTROL 

BATTERY CHARGER 


1.3 Cabin view 



Phone +34-985-269-288, fax +34-985-980-059, 


The cabin is able to carry up to 7 people, including the driver. The seats and cabin 

layout should be decided upon customer’s likes. 

Inside, you can find also the auxiliary equipment, such as the heating devices, the 

cabinets and the fire extinguishers. 

1.4 Remote control 

Located at the tower, the vehicle has a control that governs the tower hydraulic 

movements, the vehicle movement to a maximum speed of 5 km/h (accelerator and brake), 

and the horn. 

Besides, the crane has also a remote control, please see picture below: 


2 Performance. 



Phone +34-985-269-288, fax +34-985-980-059, 


The 336 kW (457 HP) diesel engine provides enough power to the hydraulic 

transmission to accomplish the daily tasks. The engine has a displacement of 11.1 litres 

and a maximum torque of 2080 N*m. 

As it was said, the VEL400 track car has two speed ranges, 0-100 Km/h and 5 

Km/h. The following are the average performances: top speed on a level track with no loads: 

100 Km/h, on a 2% sloped track with no loads: 80 Km/h, on a 1.25% sloped track with no 

loads: 90 Km/h, on a level track and towing 150 T: 70 Km/h. Please see next chart, where 

high resistance forces and low friction coefficient have been considered, in order to get 

realistic results: 

Maximum adherence 1.25% gradient resistance (no towing) 

70000 

60000 

50000 

40000 

30000 

Force (N) 2% gradient resistance (no towing) Tractive effortLevel track resistance (towing 150 T) 

20000 

10000 

0 

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 

The diesel engine comes with silencer (catalytic filter as an option), so working on 

difficult places like tunnels can be achieved. 

The hydraulic transmission allows an easy driving, because all acceleration 

manoeuvres can be done with one lever on the control desk. 

It can pull another vehicle or can be towed, we can see its UIC equipment for those 

purposes on the next shot: 

Speed (Km/h) 




Phone +34-985-269-288, fax +34-985-980-059, 


The brake system is also UIC standard, and its manufacturer is a reputed UIC- 

approved maker. The system includes service, direct, parking and emergency braking, and 

then the sanding and horn devices. The driver can control all features from the desk. 

On that picture, we can see also the coupling hoses for the braking system. 


3 Wheelset and suspension. 



Phone +34-985-269-288, fax +34-985-980-059, 


There are two driving axles, powered by hydraulic motors of regarded maker. On this 

shot we can also see the suspension system: 


4 Lighting 



Phone +34-985-269-288, fax +34-985-980-059, 


While working by night, it is mandatory a good equipment to work efficiently. The 

VEL400 track car carries a complete range of 24 v and 220 v lights to do the task. Besides, 

with the help of a 15 KVA generating set, tools can be plugged for working. 

If preferred, work lamps can be installed instead of fluorescent ones, so lighting will 

be decided upon customer’s likes. 


5 The crane 



Phone +34-985-269-288, fax +34-985-980-059, 


The crane plays an essential role on the VEL400 track car. It is located at the rear 

bottom of the vehicle, and it is folded in a way that provides good visibility to the driver. The 

crane can be manipulated by remote control or by levers. This is a picture of the crane and 

its jacks: 

The crane is incorporated with OLP system for overloading protection and stability 

assurance during turning. 


6 The tower 



Phone +34-985-269-288, fax +34-985-980-059, 


It allows to work at the catenary area. The tower has two movements: vertical and 

horizontal. It has folding handrails, 230 V electrical and pneumatic plugs for tools. There 

are also two steel rollers to allow the contact line a better positioning. Here we can see the 

tower from above: 

The floor dimensions are 2.4*2.9 m. The tower height from its floor to the rail is 3.5 

m (folded) and 5.5 m (completely unfolded). The maximum lateral reach from the track 

center line is ± 2.9 m (horizontal movement). 

6.1 Tower controls 

The work tower can be handled either from the local control or from the crane’s 

hydraulic distributor. Please, keep in mind that the local control located on the tower should 

always be used, therefore the levers on the crane distributor are for emergency purposes 

only. 

The cylinders that move up/down the platform have security valves to prevent an 

unwanted comedown. Besides, the hydraulic motor that allows the horizontal movement has 

a negative brake, as a blocking device. 

In case of a general failure of the hydraulic system, there is a manual pump for 

keeping both the crane and the tower to their folded position. 


7 Options 



Phone +34-985-269-288, fax +34-985-980-059, 


7.1 Catenary height measurement and viewing monitor. 

The catenary measurement consists of a 

pantograph, a device for knowing the height of the contact 

line, a display to show it, and a CCTV camera to see the 

horizontal alignement. 

There is a monitor inside the cabin (facing the 

driver) that enables both the catenary distribution and the 

two front-ends to be viewed. The latter is used to watch 

areas near the buffers, to enhance security during work. 

Moreover, the pantograph controls are to be found 

under the monitor, as well as its height record. 

And here we can see the cabin roof, where the measuring pantograph and other 

auxiliary devices are located: 


7.2 Work cage 



Phone +34-985-269-288, fax +34-985-980-059, 


Instead of the cargo hook a work cage can be coupled to the crane. It is made in 

polyester and it can carry two people and a tool box (maximum 220 Kg). 

7.3 Diesel engine catalyst 

The diesel engine can include a catalytic filter to reduce emissions and therefore, 

protect environment and workers during tasks at tunnels, for example. 

7.4 Remote control 

A remote control can be included with the vehicle. The operator would be able to 

control both the crane and the tower with only one device. 


7.5 Air conditioning device 



Phone +34-985-269-288, fax +34-985-980-059, 


The air conditioning device allows cool temperature in the cabin during hot days, 

therefore bringing some comfort during transport. 

It is located on the cabin roof, and controls are accessible from inside. The device can 

handle 3.5 KW of cooling power.

TALLERES ALEGRÍA S.A. TRACK CAR WITH TOWER FOR ...

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