Four Unimog U 423 road-rail vehicles in service with the Karlsruhe Transport Authority.

Perfectly tailored for both city and rail.

Together with Albtal-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft (AVG, transport operator) and Karlsruher Verkehrsverband (KVV, transport operator), around 70 million passengers annually use VBK services – on a rail network that includes tight curves and narrow stops. The orange Unimog quartet masters this challenge with ease. Thanks to the special ZAGRO road-rail technology, the vehicles switch from road to rail in just a few minutes. The turntable rail guidance system for standard gauge (1435 mm) enables precise operation, even on tight curves with a radius of up to 17 m.

The compact Unimog excels in narrow streets and stop areas thanks to its agility. With the EasyDrive hydrostatic drive, drivers can continuously adjust the speed to match the specific task.

Multi-track cleaning.

Two of Karlsruhe's Unimogs are specially equipped for cleaning – both on and alongside the tracks. The vehicles are equipped with an Autech grinding and care module, a Trilety mounted sweeper, and a suction transfer blower from HEN AG. The grinding and care module reliably removes dirt and deposits from rail heads – tar and rubber residue stand little chance here.

The Trilety sweeper keeps rails and depot surfaces clean. Leaves and debris are effectively collected using the suction transfer blower. A special cleaning trailer handles track systems in hard-to-reach areas, such as switches and crossings. Stubborn dirt is removed by the high-pressure water system with up to 400 bar of pressure.

All-rounders for every season.

The other two Unimog U 423 vehicles are likewise multifunctionally equipped and handle tasks ranging from vegetation control to de-icing. Their equipment enables operation in all weather conditions: a Dammann track sprayer, a KUPRO de-icing system, a Hubmeister elevating work platform, and a Palfinger loading crane. In winter, a Bucher snow plough clears snow away quickly and efficiently. In warmer seasons, the Mulag front boom with mowing head or brush cutter is used to cut back vegetation along the tracks.

Off-road capability and safety.

And in between? With its all-wheel drive, the Unimog quickly reaches any deployment site – even when the tracks are surrounded by difficult terrain. A safety control system additionally ensures reliable operation, even when working under overhead lines.

The Unimog U 423 stands out with its versatile capabilities in road-rail service. With its quick changeover between road and rail, compact design, and powerful all-wheel drive, it has become indispensable for municipal services and transport operators – the transport operators of the city with a footprint like a fan are convinced by these powerful all-rounders for heavy-duty cleanup operations.