Railway Systems

Railway system solutions

PALFINGER has designed railway solutions for 45 years, always pursuing an uncompromising approach to system design. Close collaboration with rail vehicle manufacturers enables us to develop perfectly attuned lifting equipment – ensuring optimized maintenance vehicles with unparalleled features and functionality. PALFINGER railway systems deliver maximum efficiency when used in combination.

Integrated solutions for peak efficiency

PALFINGER railway units deliver peak performance when operating together. Their advanced control systems communicate across connected PALFINGER equipment, dynamically balancing and sharing the available restoring moment. This intelligent interaction ensures optimal stability and unlocks the maximum possible lifting capacity and reach — for safe, reliable, and efficient operation under all conditions.

Continuous lifting capacity optimization on inclines

The strengths of PALFINGER railway systems come to the fore when operating on sections of track with significant cant. State-of-the-art sensors integrate inclination data in stability calculations in real time. This allows the crane’s lifting capacity to be continuously controlled at inclinations from 0° to 15°, eliminating the need for general load reductions.

Refurbishments to extend service life

We perform complete overhauls on vehicles up to 40 years old, fitting them with state-of-the-art new or refurbished cranes and access platforms. This process gives vehicles a second life, enabling them to deliver reliable performance in construction and maintenance operations for years to come. What’s more, our global customer service network means specialist technicians are available when you need them, responding quickly to minimize downtime and maximize availability

Uncompromising Design For Railway Applications

Catenary systems

We engineer specialized railway equipment to deliver peak performance when dealing with dense tangles of overhead wires. When maintaining overhead line brackets, combining a positioner and crane with a workman basket or an access platform makes it possible to perform work easily and efficiently. Our PKR cranes excel where others fail, effortlessly handling mast erection tasks.

Permanent way

Our railway cranes deliver unbeatable performance when dealing with fixed infrastructure in tight spaces where conventional cranes cannot operate, such as track sections with lateral noise barriers and live overhead lines. They feature advanced kinematics that enable full-area loading and precise positioning.

Tunnels and subway systems

We offer specialized solutions engineered to construct and maintain tracks and overhead lines in tunnels, subway systems, and other space-restricted settings. Their compact, tunnel-optimized design enables efficient and reliable performance where operational uptime is essential.

Bridge inspection

Our under-bridge inspection units have been used successfully around the world for decades. We offer an array of railway equipment, from loader cranes to work platforms, to facilitate under-bridge inspections and above-bridge maintenance. These solutions can be mounted on both railway vehicles and standard trucks.

Engineering And Servicing Expertise Since 1980

PALFINGER’s Railway Systems division specializes in cranes, access platforms, and specialized railway equipment that deliver a lifetime of excellence.

Safety-driven design for high-performance operation

Control systems are PLd-compliant in accordance with EN 13849 and enable secure data transmission via the CANopen Safety protocol, while lateral and vertical movement limiters ensure safe operation. All cranes comply with EN 12999 – and with EN 280 if equipped with workman baskets.

Advanced kinematics

PALFINGER railway systems feature specifically developed kinematics for an extended range of motion. This includes tailored geometries for different solutions: for example, our PKR cranes feature upward-folding knuckle booms up to 80°, while our PR cranes are equipped with tiltable columns for near-field lifting. Our PA360 platform boasts two slewing drives, and the PA1002 features three baskets. What’s more, we offer freely moveable work platforms with a large basket, with slewing gears at the main column and basket – to name just a handful of our specialist solutions.

Stability control system

The intelligent stability system continuously calculates the crane’s maximum load capacity. It achieves this by monitoring the outrigger positions, slewing angle, vehicle frame deflection, and the machine’s overall geometry – that is, the current position of the arm system. It can also take account of up to two other PALFINGER units mounted on the same vehicle, as well as the current angle of inclination.

Radio remote control

Our railway systems’ radio remote controls ensure safe, ergonomic, and efficient operation, while enabling the operator to position themselves close to the load during handling and take up safe positions in restricted track areas. They also make it possible to operate railway vehicles in creep speed mode.

An Overview Of Our Railway Solutions

Cranes

Railway cranes provide the precision essential for railway construction and maintenance, enabling efficient work even within the shortest service windows. They offer versatile solutions for any application, from light, short-distance handling to heavy-duty, complex railway tasks.

Access platforms

Our access platforms for the railway sector ensure fast and safe access to catenary systems. Uniting smart engineering with proven reliability, they are essential for work on overhead contact systems worldwide.

Bridge inspection unit

This multi-functional 3-in-1 unit can be used for under-bridge inspections, loader-crane operations, and tasks that call for a work platform. It also features a removable third boom for maximum versatility.

Positioners

Our positioners deliver outstanding performance in catenary construction and maintenance. Two independently controlled arms position contact wires and carrying cables with millimeter precision.

Our extensive attachment portfolio transforms our cranes into multifunctional tools for even higher operational efficiency

Attachments For Enhanced Performance

Workman baskets

The PALFINGER workman basket has been specifically developed for use on railway cranes. Innovative technology transforms PALFINGER railway cranes into aerial work platforms, significantly expanding their scope of use. PALFINGER’s TÜV-tested system comprising a crane and workman basket complies with the EN280 standard, and offers a low dead weight for maximum outreach. In addition, the quick-change system ensures swift and ergonomic coupling.

Grabs

A classic crane accessory. Our tried-and-tested technology ensures a high degree of reliability and efficiency. And, with a range of options to choose from, you can optimize your grab to meet your day-to-day requirements.

Whether it’s for digging, laying tracks, or bulk material handling, from versatile clamshell buckets to precise orange peel grabs, we have the right grab for every assignment.

Cable winches

Our cable winches support vertical lifts, such as when installing masts below existing catenary systems.

Manipulators

We offer a portfolio of manipulators that keep tracks clear of vegetation and remove hazards from walkways and platforms. Their robust, functional design targets swift and efficient working, with maximized uptime to take full advantage of short time windows. Whether you need mulchers to clear track-side vegetation, branch saws to cut through woodier vegetation, or snow blowers to clear surfaces and paths, these reliable tools are the perfect choice.

Augers

Our auger attachments permit swift progress – without the need for an excavator. Whether it’s soil, gravel, or slightly rocky terrain, the right drilling teeth transform your auger into a true all-rounder. Drill holes of the correct diameter with ease, and without the material-intensive slope angle that arises in classical excavation work.

Pile drivers

We offer a range of pile drivers, including both impact and vibration drivers, which can be equipped on compatible crane models to ram mast foundations into position.

Service Is Our Top Priority

A partnership that lasts a product’s lifetime

PALFINGER puts customer service first. Our global network ensures rapid, professional support – wherever you are, and wherever your work takes you. Our highly skilled team delivers customer-focused solutions, from commissioning and training to servicing, repairs, and upgrades. Designed for long life cycles and high cost efficiency, our reliable and adaptable products deliver world-class performance throughout their service lives.

Refurbishment

We offer overhauls for vehicles up to 40 years old. This gives them a second life, allowing them to provide efficient service in railway construction and maintenance for years to come. This approach has numerous benefits: besides retaining the vehicle’s registration, it also avoids the need to retrain operators.

In addition to doubling a vehicle’s service life, PALFINGER’s modernization service offers a host of other benefits. Replacing faulty and obsolete parts with updated components reduces downtime and improves availability, while technical enhancements open the door to improved vehicle performance. More generally, overhauls provide an opportunity to tailor vehicles to specific customer requirements and refresh their visual appearance. More extensive projects are a chance to replace all wearing parts to ensure maximum reliability.

Spare parts

The only way to guarantee safe, long-term operation is to rely exclusively on original spare parts. Technicians from PALFINGER customer service team, along with certified service partners, have access to PALFINGER’s extensive spare parts depot.

PALFINGER’s railway solutions have a very long service life, often around 20 years or more. We have a specialist team that manages supplies of spare parts for all our equipment – including for up to 10 years after models are discontinued. We engage with our customers and with vehicle manufacturers directly to ensure that requests for spare parts are handled swiftly, without undue administrative procedures.

Repairs

If your product is damaged, you can rely on PALFINGER’s extensive service network! Our employees will provide you with fast, specialist support.

Our team benefits from extensive training, has access to all data, and relies on original spare parts – all of which guarantee skilled repairs. They incorporate design improvements into original documentation, such as the electronics and hydraulics plans, with corresponding amendments to the spare parts catalogue where necessary. Fundamentally, the manufacturer’s technicians are best placed to perform professional repairs.

Commissioning

Our service specialists run through an entire checklist during commissioning to ensure that PALFINGER railway solutions deliver optimal performance. This includes checking signal transmission between carrier vehicles and installed equipment, adjusting safety-related systems such as height limiters, and securing TÜV approvals. And, upon handover to the customer, they also provide training to ensure that operators can extract maximum performance from their new equipment – while complying with all safety regulations.

The commissioning phase also includes tailoring solutions to customers’ specific requirements, taking account of parameters such as the slewing angle, track cant, the position of support legs, and whether further PALFINGER units are installed on the same vehicle – to name but a few.

Specialist training for peak performance, uptime, and safety

In a competitive global environment, specialist expertise is a decisive success factor. PALFINGER’s Railway Training Team ensures your operators and service team don’t just know our equipment – they understand and master it. Our Operator Training supports safe and compliant use of our products, while our Service Training is designed to give engineers a deeper understanding of PALFINGER technologies. The result? Operators and engineers capable of handling, using, and maintaining PALFINGER equipment as effectively as possible – ensuring maximum uptime, stringent safety, and long-term reliability.

Servicing and maintenance

PALFINGER’s Railway Systems division supports servicing and maintenance work – whether performed by PALFINGER’s Customer Service or carried out by its customers’ in-house technicians. We emphasize the value of a forward-looking approach, because planned maintenance is always preferable to unplanned breakdowns.

Modifications

Whether your project requirements have changed, you need adjustments to local circumstances in a new region, or you’re simply looking to improve efficiency, the specialists at PALFINGER Railway Systems are always happy to perform modifications. The demands on maintenance vehicles and repair equipment often change over time. Installing new attachments, adapting to application in new fields, and implementing increased specialization can all improve overall efficiency. Our specialist staff have access to a complete product database, ensuring safe and precise modifications to customers’ device. And the possibilities are endless: we can customize maintenance equipment to suit virtually any customer requirements – targeting improved versatility, enhanced safety, and maximum efficiency.

Get In Touch With Our Railway Experts

Railway Systems – Sales

Christian Prantl

PALFINGER EUROPE GmbH

Moosmühlstr. 1 | 5203 Köstendorf | Austria

EMAIL: c.prantl@palfinger.com

TEL: +43 6216 7660 85403

Contact our sales department

Railway Systems – Service

Patrick Knotz