For the first time in history, ProRail is using a huge machine from Austria to double the track between Heerlen and Landgraaf. The Rus 1000S will be active in South Limburg for the next two months.
The machine, also known as The Lady, is hundreds of meters long and can do many things at the same time, such as laying sleepers and installing new rails. In this way, a route of approximately 250 meters can be renewed per hour.
Europe
The machine has been used before elsewhere in Europe, but is being used for the first time in the Netherlands. This makes it possible to work faster and more effectively. “It is difficult to say how long it would take without this machine, but then all work has to be done separately. So that would take much longer,” says Joke van der Cruysen of ProRail about the time savings achieved by using the Russian 1000S .
Intercity
The work is necessary to double the track between Heerlen and Landgraaf. To do this, the current railway line will first be moved. And then one comes along. The work is necessary to enable an intercity connection between Heerlen and Aachen in the future.
The work should be completed by early May.
Also read: Months of work on rail between Heerlen and Landgraaf