[Job Story] The collaboration between Robel and JR East continues with GMAC

Inauguration Ceremony in Fukushima Prefecture.East Japan Railway, commissioning Robel, track construction machine manufacturer, a tracked machine: GMAC will be used for maintenance and inspection work on the Joban line from the second half of this year.

Due to the delicate worldwide period caused by the CoVid-19 pandemic and the current restrictions, the traditional opening ceremony of the company’s first Robel Maintenance System was held at the Ueda depot in Fukushima Prefecture.
JR East’s decision to use these vehicles marks a change to the company’s previous path of maintenance activities that were intensive with regard to human resources and time. The company anticipates better safety for its staff and increased efficiency in track maintenance.

GMAC (ジーマック) – Next Generation Maintenance Machine – is the official name of the vehicle formation consisting of Mobile Maintenance Unit and Loading Unit from Robel and a Japanese traction vehicle. The 1 067 mm gauge uniT developed from Robel’s ROMIS range of mobile track maintenance equipment. It combines a storage vehicle and a working vehicle with direct track access. Personnel are able to perform maintenance and inspection activities within a protected space, with power, lighting and lifting equipment at hand.

The system will be deployed for maintenance and inspection activities on the Joban line from the second half of this year.

“Despite the intensive use and high volume of traffic, Japan’s railways are considered the most reliable in the world. We are honoured that the Japanese network operators are positioning themselves for the future in infrastructure maintenance using our products”,

says Michael Seeleithner, Robel’s Head of Sales for Systems & Vehicles

The cooperation between Robel and JR East

ROMIS is the second large-scale machine project that Robel has implemented in cooperation with East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and its sales partners Nippon Plasser Co.,  and Mitsui & Co. Plant System Co. .

Since 2017, the REX-S 1200 Rail Train has been used on the Shinkansen network in the East of Japan.
Robel will supply further machines for preventive maintenance to Japan from 2021.

About Robel

Since 1901 ROBEL has developed, manufactured and supplied track construction machines with a claim for safety and economic efficiency. This is the incentive for around 570 employees at the ROBEL premises in Freilassing, Germany, to create powerful machines and systems and deliver good service. For the construction and maintenance of railway infrastructure systems all over the world, the ROBEL product portfolio is distinguished by quality and innovation In 2018 ROBEL receives environment certification ISO 14001 and scores Silver Level in EcoVadis CSR Rating.

Source: Robel