The first of VolkerRail's high performance universal continuous action Matisa B66UC (DR75503) tamping machines has arrived in the UK.

IT'S HERE! #VolkerRail's new tamper arrived in Scunthorpe last week #rail #matisa https://t.co/uSkjvkBpeJ pic.twitter.com/esUvius4MB

— VolkerWessels UK (@VolkerWesselsUK) May 17, 2019

The new tamper is the latest model from Matisa and provides a faster and more efficient tamping cycle, as well as being fully equipped with a Caterpillar C18 engine to reduce CO2 emissions and noise.

The team has spent the last 18 months working with Matisa to develop the tamper’s technical specifications, as well as spending time in Crissier, Switzerland, to undergo maintenance and operational controls training of this significantly technologically advanced machine.

Ken Robinson, specialist businesses director, VolkerRail, said: "The arrival of this tamper represents the first stage of a significant investment in the enhancement of our fleet, which will expand further in the summer of 2020 when our second tamper; currently under construction, is due to arrive.

Our latest tamper now takes us to ten contracted machines, which are a key component in ensuring the success of our client's programme of renewing and maintaining Britain's railways."

Now in the UK, the tamper will undergo further testing on the heritage railway in readiness for its first shift, as part of Network Rail’s National Tamping contract, in June.