the best payloads. It has the best range for its weight. REX: It achieves that while being battery powered? AM: It does. All of our other products traditionally have been designed around small industrial engines and hydraulics. But the power to weight ratio of Lithium battery technology has changed our thinking and I am amazed at the opportunities we are now presented and the new designs we are creating. The travel range at 10km/ hr is 100km. REX: The efficiency is also helped by the fact the machine is very lightweight, correct? AM: Of course, and that aspect of the design makes it very fast to assemble and dismantle, too. Only one part of the trolley is heavier than 20-kilograms, and at just 45 kilograms that part is still suitable for a twoperson lift. The whole machine can be assembled or dismantled in three minutes by two people, or just two minutes by four people without tools. In an emergency, four people can remove the trolley from the track in under 90 seconds.
REX: What are some other innovations? AM: It has frustrated rail crews for years that the Pandrol E and PR clips become rusted into the housing and impossible to remove. Our unique, patented design hammers and vibrates the clips from the sleeper while supporting the shoulder and arresting the clip once it is ejected. Even if the clip is broken, our “down the EYE” version can be used to drive out the remaining pin. This pin is generally left because clips have been hit by hammers to try to remove or have been badly corroded. The machine is provided in our Track Pack system and can be easily paired with our other work heads to insert new clips if required.
it a green option. The chassis is flexible and easily adapted to any gauge configuration in the world, and the deck comes currently in two configurations: Inspection and Emergency Response. There are no chains to drive wheels and the vehicle can be transported in a utility or station wagon. But most importantly, the trolley is the lightest in the market place with one of
REX: Apart from the speed of assembly/disassembly, what are the other safety features? AM: A patented deck locking system is interlocked with all other removable parts preventing the trolley from moving while an interlock is ‘unlatched’. It features traction control, failsafe braking, Deadman foot control with throttle control, interlocked gates and deck, and a wireless horn. If you have any questions of your own for Andrew, contact: andrew@ melvelle.com.au
REX: The Light Weight Rapid Deployment Rail Trolley was actually designed by Melvelle Equipment in Australia and is already in use on a number of operations. What has made it successful so far? AM: It is all electric and suitable for solar charging and regenerative braking, making
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RAIL EXPRESS | ISSUE 3 2019
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