The RailVac RA7 is exactly what is sounds like, a large vacuum cleaner on rails! Officially known as a Ballast Vacuum Extraction System (BVES), powerful suction removes material from between the rails and sleepers without the need to remove them and minimising risk to other infrastructure such as cables and pipes [1].
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| A RailVac being hauled through Derby |
| Information |
| Number built: |
4 |
| Built: |
2014 |
| Builder: |
Railcare AB |
| Motor: |
2 Caterpillar C9 diesels |
| Power: |
670 hp (500 kW) |
The RA7 is self-propelled whilst in operation during engineering possession though is locomotive hauled during main line transit (it can only travel at up to twenty km/h under it's own power). The RA7 was built, and is operated by, Railcare AB who operate similar machines in Sweden.
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| Another view of a RailVac at Derby |
[1] Royston Morris, Railway Maintenance Vehicles & Equipment (Amberley Publishing, 2017) p. 46
