Boundless

In December 2022, Rhomberg Sersa Ireland was awarded the contract for the major overhaul of 5 on-track machines (OTMs) for Iarnród Éireann - Irish Rail (IÉ).

As part of the tendering process, the Irish collegues detailed how it would partner with their German colleagues to utilise their skills and expertise to carry out the overhauls in its workshop in Spremberg. On winning the contract, Rhomberg Sersa in Ireland and Germany worked closely together to plan the major works before liaising with the customer, Irish Rail. The first machine to be transported to Germany was a tamper, 08-16 4x4 No. 742. By the time the machine arrived at Spremberg’s workshop, project plans had been drawn up and processes created to ensure that Irish Rail could track the status of the project throughout the entire overhaul. 

Between August 2023 and March 2024, the tamper underwent a major overhaul which will prolong it’s working life. It was then shipped back to Ireland for its first working shift at the start of April. As with all projects, there were some stumbling blocks during the process. However, whether they were technical problems or delays in spare parts, these hiccups were overcome working closely together. Working collaboratively at all times, cultural differences or language difficulties which can sometimes delay a project, were easily overcome. The second tamper to be overhauled left Ireland in April, with other machines due for an overhaul in both 2025 and 2026. The fifth machine that is part of the contract is being overhauled in Ireland.