Rock Tunnelling Locomotives
Rock tunnelling locomotives are a type of railway vehicle used to power track carrying rolling stock in the construction of underground railway systems. They are primarily used in the construction of tunnels, including the retrieval of waste spoils, while simultaneously hauling the excavation train along the trajectory of the tunnel. The units drive the development of tunnels that are used for transportation, power generation, or the storage of hydrocarbons such as natural gas and crude oil. Tunnelling locomotives range in size from small single-unit locomotives to massive multi-unit trains that can be used in application-specific configurations.
The Rock tunnelling locomotive is typically used in combination with either muck cars or mobile hoes for digging and cutting, depending on the specific application. The muck cars are used for the excavation and digging of tunnels, while the mobile hoes, or bulldozers, are used for the removal of the muck from the tunnel. In addition, rock bolters and mucking machines may be used in combination with the locomotives and muck cars, depending on the application.
One of the key advantages of the Rock Tunnelling Locomotive is its high maneuverability. It is designed to move in tight curves and short radius turns to access locations that are difficult to access with other transportation systems. Furthermore, the Rock Tunnelling Locomotive is designed to traverse uneven and rough terrain, and to climb and descend steep gradient slopes of up to five percent.
The Rock Tunnelling Locomotive is an environmentally friendly form of transportation. It produces no emissions, and presents minimal environmental impact. Furthermore, it is relatively silent and does not create vibration or noise disturbance. This makes it an ideal solution for tunnel construction, which requires access to narrow passages or confined spaces in a safe and secure manner.
The Rock Tunnelling Locomotive is driven by a series of electrically-driven motors, which receive power from an on-board generator or an external power source. The locomotives are designed to run on a range of track profiles, including standard profile, high-strength railroad profiles and even dedicated rock tunnelling profiles. Furthermore, the locomotives can also be outfitted with a range of accessories, such as roof erection systems, rock bolting systems and additional mucking equipment.
The Rock Tunnelling Locomotives are designed for extreme rugged and hazardous conditions. This makes them suitable for applications such as the construction of long tunnels in difficult terrain, where access to the tunnel must be tightly controlled and the excavation process must be done in a safe, secure and efficient manner. In addition, Rock Tunnelling Locomotives are increasingly being used in the construction of underground hydroelectric power plants, as a source of reliable and safe transportation for personnel and supplies, and in the mining and transportation of oil, gas and other resources.
