French construction company TSO has ordered two E³ series tamping machines from Austrian manufacturer Plasser & Theurer. The machines will be used to maintain the Paris metro network, which TSO will take over for RATP from 2026. The two MetroFlex E³ tamping machines have a special tamping concept that takes particular account of the metro's rubber wheel sections, as the traction rails on which the rubber wheels run can interfere with the tamping work. When the conductor rail is switched off during tamping work, a battery system takes over the vehicle's energy supply. The batteries are then charged either via the conductor rails or via a separate charging plug. The three partners have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as part of which they intend to evaluate how digital measurement technology can reduce costs, as well as time requirements, and increase quality in maintenance. In particular, this involves the fixed point measurement used by tamping machines, taking into account the track geometry, which enables precise knowledge of the tracks.
