Unipart is pleased to announce its rail handlers have received Network Rail product acceptance. This major milestone marks a significant step forward in its ambition to being the driving force behind efficient, resilient, and sustainable supply chains for global rail infrastructure.

Designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern track renewals and maintenance, Unipart’s rail handlers offer an alternative approach to rail moving and handling. By achieving product acceptance, the rail handler can now be deployed across Network Rail infrastructure, delivering significant productivity improvements for its users.

Engineered as a modern, compact, high-output solution, Unipart’s rail handlers deliver greater equipment utilisation and a superior return on investment. This is demonstrated by:

• Enhanced safety: Operated via remote control, significantly lowering the risk of onsite incidents by removing the need for manual handling and improving machine-controlled stability.
• Operational efficiency: Allowing for quicker, more seamless positioning of rail lengths, reducing track possession times, eliminating downtime, and lowering project costs.
• Precision engineering: Built to handle heavy rail infrastructure, this precision-engineered system accelerates high-frequency tasks while protecting surrounding components from unnecessary wear.
• Versatility: An adaptable asset for any site, the rail handler is fully compatible with standard collaborative plant machinery. It easily tows a convertible trailer that switches seamlessly applications, including a flatbed and a cable drum holder, delivering maximum operational value.

Justin Moss, Business Development Director – Rail & Public Transport at Unipart, commented: “Securing Network Rail product acceptance for our rail handlers is a huge milestone, not just for Unipart, but for the global rail industry. These machines represent a true step-change in track construction and maintenance, bringing unprecedented safety, speed, and precision to the network.

“I want to say a huge thank you to the entire Unipart team whose relentless hard work and ingenuity made this achievement possible. Their dedication is what drives our mission to transform rail infrastructure worldwide.”

The product acceptance of the rail handlers is just one piece of Unipart’s wider commitment to construction, maintenance, and renewal (CMR) innovation. It is pioneering a full suite of high-performance CMR machines designed to automate and optimise traditional track environment tasks.

To explore the full capabilities of our solutions, visit Unipart’s dedicated construction, maintenance, and renewal machines page.

For further insights into how automation and smart machinery are shaping the future of rail networks, read Unipart’s latest insight paper, Optimising global rail maintenance.