Bridge inspection delivery to Czech Railways

The Barin AB 12 Combi truck mount in operation in the Czech Republic. (Photo: Barin)

Czech Railways (České dráhy) has expanded its equipment fleet, adding an aerial platform for the inspection and maintenance of bridges. 

The national rail company recently took delivery of a AB 12 Combi truck mount from Italian manufacturer Barin, which produces platforms - often custom designed - for bridge and motorway and railway viaduct applications.

Mounted on a 4-axle Volvo truck chassis and fitted with a railroad system made by Czech Republic-based company SAZ, the AB 12 is hydraulically operated and features an electric control system, which allows operators to control the platform’s movements from the basket.

The AB 12 Combi is the largest of Barin’s Combi model aerial platforms. It has a road transport height of 3.6m and a railway transport height of 4m, with a top railway track speed of 40km an hour.

For railway applications, the AB 12 Combi offers a maximum horizontal outreach of 12.2m, an overhead reach of 16.5m and vertical underbridge reach of 17m. The platform can also navigate bridge barries measuring up to 4m in height.

Rail specialist SAZ, which manufactured the unit’s railroad system, has alreaady deployed the AB 12 Combi truck mount. (Photo: Barin)

The Barin AB 12 Combi is now being operated by SAZ - which provides track welding, overhead line equipment maintenance and renewals, railway track renovations and construction, track cleaning and vegetation control services - on behalf of Czech Railways.