Explore Plant and Transport expand rail sector solutions

Explore Plant and Transport Solutions is on track with new rail equipment and technology investment.

Peter Haddock caught up with Warren Wilkinson from Explore at Rail Live to find out more. 

Warren: “Having invested heavily in the latest equipment for the civils sector, which includes technologies like Leica Geosystems part of Hexagon 3D machine control and Xwatch Safety Solutions part of Hexagon's 3D collision avoidance safety solution, we wanted to take the same approach for the rail sector. 

“We now have a ‘one stop shop’ solution which includes the latest road rail excavators, over 200 HGV’s of various configurations, right the way down to our range of sustainable, battery-powered small tools, electric machinery and surveying equipment. 

“We have already had a lot of success with 3D machine control, and with the Leica MC1 tablet in the cab now integrated with the Xwatch system, our operators just need one screen.

"This approach also means it’s a lot easier for our engineers, particularly for rail jobs, as the machine control model and the 3D collision avoidance model can be created and changed very quickly.” 

With the 3D model, the Xwatch system can be programmed to create a virtual barrier around the equipment, preventing it from moving beyond pre-set limits whilst also slowing boom movements to a controlled stop. 

Warren added: “This means the machine physically cannot move through this “invisible wall,” which helps operators concentrate on the job at hand. It’s a groundbreaking move for rail operations.”