Refer VCC 105 – Plasser & Theurer MTW 10


Specialized rail vehicle operated by Refer seen at Mangualde station, on the Beira Alta line, in June 2009. This specialized rail vehicle, specifically a catenary maintenance vehicle, with fleet number VCC 105 is built by Plasser & Theurer in 1998, designated as MTW 10 ¹. Overall length (buffers) is 37.2 ft. This vehicle uses a 178 kW (242 hp) diesel engine. It has two axles and gauge is 5 ft 5 21⁄32 in. Top speed is approximately 50 mph. This specialized rail vehicle is used for overhead line construction, maintenance, and inspection services. Designated by the manufacturer as the MTW 10 (from Motorturmwagen, which we can understand as a motorized or self-propelled tower vehicle; I don't know the meaning of the 10), it is modularly designed to meet the operator's needs—that's why we find MTW 10s that are different from each other. It has two driving stands, a lifting platform, a hydraulic crane, and can tow support equipment, such as the FWW 10.001 trailer.

Here, in June 2008, we found this VCC 105, accompanied by trailer R.046, resting on the siding at Mangualde station on the Beira Alta line. Sadly, its career would end twelve years later at Soure station on the Norte line, after a collision with Alfa Pendular 4005, while returning to Mangualde after overhaul at Entroncamento. Reflecting on that moment, I feel profound sadness—especially for the lives lost, may they rest in peace. Therefore, I prefer to remember the VCC 105 on this splendid summer day, with so many years of good service still ahead of it. ● 


Veículo ferroviário especializado operado pela Refer visto na estação de Mangualde, na linha da Beira Alta, em Junho de 2009. Este veículo ferroviário especializado, especificamente um veículo de conservação da catenária, com o número de frota VCC 105 é construído pela Plasser & Theurer em 1998, designado como MTW 10 ¹. O comprimento total (tampões) é de 11,340 m. Este veículo utiliza um motor diesel de 178 kW (242 hp). Possui dois eixos e a bitola é de 1668 mm. A velocidade máxima é de aproximadamente 80 km/h. Este veículo ferroviário especializado é utilizado em serviços de construção, conservação e inspecção de catenária. Designado pelo fabricante como MTW 10 (de Motorturmwagen, que podemos entender como veiculo torre motorizado ou automotor; desconheço o significado do 10), é concebido de forma modular para satisfazer as necessidades do operador—por isso encontramos MTW 10s distintos entre si. Possui dois postos de condução, plataforma elevatória, guindaste hidráulico e pode rebocar equipamento de apoio, como, por exemplo, o reboque FWW 10.001.

Aqui, em Junho de 2008, encontramos este VCC 105 acompanhado pelo reboque R.046, a descansar na via de resguardo da estação de Mangualde, na linha da Beira Alta. Infelizmente, terminaria a sua carreira doze anos mais tarde na estação de Soure, na Linha do Norte, após colisão com o Alfa Pendular 4005, ao regressar a Mangualde após revisão no Entroncamento. Ao pensar nesse momento sinto uma profunda tristeza—sobretudo pelas vidas perdidas, que descansem em paz. Prefiro, pois, recordar o VCC 105 neste esplêndido dia de Verão, ainda com tantos anos de bons serviços pela frente. ●


¹  MTW 10 or MTW-10, with or without a hyphen, both forms are used. ● MTW 10 ou MTW-10, com ou sem hífen, ambas as formas são utilizadas.


References

Wikipedia | "Comboios de Portugal"
Wikipedia | "Plasser & Theurer"
Plasser & Theurer | "Plasser & Theurer" equipment catalog
Wikipedia | "Maintenance of way"
Wikipedia | "Linha da Beira Alta"
Wikipedia | "Mangualde"
Wikipedia | "Kilogram-force"
Wikipedia | "Newton (unit)"
Wikipedia | "Track gauge"

1 mm → 0.039 inch 
1 g → 0.035 oz 
1 kg → 2.205 lb avdp 
1 t (metric) – 2204.623 pound (lb) (avdp) 
1 kW → 1,360 hp (metric/PS)
1 kW → 1,341 hp
1 hp (metric/PS) → 0,986 hp
1 km → 0,621 mile (international)
1 l → 0.264 US gallon 
1 m → 3.281 ft 
1 cm³ → 0.0610237 ci/cu in
1 kgf  → 0,00980665 kN


● Check it out here, how the closely related MTW 10.273 works, on this video retrieved from TrackMachines.





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