AUSTRIAN infrastructure manager ÖBB Infrastructure has awarded Plasser & Theurer a contract to supply 56 emissions-free high-performance maintenance vehicles.

The order is for 21 MultiCrafter, 29 CatenaryCrafter and six TransportUnit vehicles and is worth almost €250m. A purchase option was also agreed for a further 46 vehicles.

The new vehicles feature Plasser & Theurer’s E³ environmentally-friendly electric hybrid drive. They are also compatible with ETCS.

Plasser & Theurer says this is the largest single order in the company’s history. Modular design enables a range of different machines to be supplied in less time and at a lower cost, and also reduces lifecycle costs as the vehicles are simpler to maintain and overhaul.

“Orders like this prove that we not only promote economical track maintenance with our machines, but also support the sustainable achievement of the climate goals of the rail transport system with innovative, ecological drive and working technology,” says Plasser & Theurer CEO, Mr Johannes Max-Theurer.