MPV
Thanks to NP for this information
Everything you ever wanted to know about Windhoff MPVs but were afraid to ask...
DR 98901-98932 and DR 98951-DR98982, Track Treatment MPVs built by Windhoff AG (as they were then).
98901/51 to 98925/75 were designated "tranche 1" and consist of powered master and unpowered slave. DR98901/51 and DR98902/52 were the "A" and "B" prototypes, there are subtle design differences between these machines and the others, thus MPV1, so far as Windhoff were concerned, was 98903/53.
98926/76 to 98932/82 were a later build designated "tranche 2", and consist of powered master and powered slave (that is, the slave end is fitted with engines but all the control functions still rest with the master, a slave cannot run on its own or coupled to another slave).
In the 4 years these units have been operating on tasks relating to their purpose, they have never been cross-matched. This would never have happened in BR days!
98904 & 98906 were paired together for Freight Multiple Unit trials during 2001; and 98921 & 98924 were paired together for master+master trials whilst "tranche 2" was in the concept stage.
Modules
The track treatment modules were built by Socofer, there are 64 sandite modules (number range 01xxx), 32 tank modules (05xxx), 32 water jetting modules (06xxx), 32 power modules (02xxx), 6 weedkilling modules (08xxx), 6 messing modules (03xxx) and 11 de-icing modules (04xxx). Later there have been 2 "Laser" modules built by LaserThor, these are carried on 2 dedicated MPVs, 98922/72 and 98923/73. Also NWR had 2 extra tanks built much later, these are identifiable by being clad in stainless material, whereas all the others are grey.
OLE MPVs
DR98001-98014, OLE MPVs, built by Windhoff AG. All of these machines are "master" vehicles, and are capable of running in multiple with each other.
98001 and 98002 carry HAP cranes with pile drivers, 98005, 98006, 98007 carry Palfinger cranes, 98003, 98004, 98009, 98011, 98012 and 98013 carry access platforms, 98010 and 98014 carry messing/measuring modules and 98008 is the double ended "civil" machine that carries a module associated with concrete works.
These MPVs work with associated engineers vehicles, the most interesting of which are WHD 97303 and WHD 97307 as they are fitted with a self contained rubber tyred drive system to allow them to work independent of the MPVs.
