BUILDING A BETTER WORLD

Rail operations often need a compact and controlled way to reposition maintenance equipment without dedicating a larger locomotive or prime mover to the task. A Class 1 railroad required a purpose-built rail equipment mover that could support its operating environment and equipment-handling needs. The customer needed a machine designed specifically for moving rail equipment, with the required traction, control, visibility, and coupling interfaces integrated into a practical package.

A US Railroad had an innovative idea to replace expensive purpose-built equipment for clearing snow. Rather than millions of dollars spent on a seasonal blower-only machine, a request was made to convert a Vancer CHX35 into a heavy-duty snow-remover in the winter, and a capable hi-rail excavator in milder months.

Our customer needed a Hi-Rail excavator that had increased ground clearance, could operate high powered attachments, and was able to transport heavy rail car loads. The Ceres team of engineers rose to the challenge and designed and built a product based upon the Caterpillar 541 Feller Buncher.