a yellow railway machine with maroon cabs sits in a siding

a yellow railway machine with maroon cabs sits in a siding

a yellow railway machine with maroon cabs sits in a siding surrounded by other yellow machines and a white road van

two maroon & yellow railway machines sit on some railway wagons in a grassy siding

GTRM - a joint venture of GEC Alsthom and Tarmac acquired the Central Infrastructure Maintenance Company in 1996. It purchased a few new machines, and in 2001 took over Centrac's fleet of old machines. Their livery was yellow with maroon cabs.
#tamperTuesday #ontrackplant #OTPliveries

an orange railway machine passes through a railway station surrounded by brick buildings and buddleia plants, under a hazy blue sky

an orange railway machine passes through a railway station surrounded by brick buildings

Colas Rail's Plasser & Theurer 08-4x4/4S-RT tamper DR73929 passes through Walsall whilst working from Nuneaton to the nearby sidings.
#tamperTuesday #ontrackplant

a yellow railway machine passes some grey wagons

a yellow railway machine sits in a siding. In the background are a variety of locomotives, buildings and wagons

three yellow railway machines are seen in some sidings

a long yellow railway machine with a cabin at either and a crane in the middle trundles through a railway station

In 1996 Tarmac acquired the Central Track Renewals Company as part of the privatisation process and started operating under the "Centrac" name. Their livery was a basic yellow with white roof.
#tamperTuesday #ontrackplant #OTPliveries

a large yellow railway machine consisting of five vehicles passes through a railway station in dismal grey weather

a railway vehicle painted yellow, white, red and black passes through a station

three large yellow railway machine vehicles pass through a railway station in dismal grey weather

a large yellow railway machine consisting of five vehicles passes through a railway station in dismal grey weather

This year lots of older machines are getting replaced by brand new machines as some companies modernise their fleets. One casualty will be Loram's C2101 Rail Grinder which arrived in 2002. Here is DR79231-79237 (exc. 79234&235) passing through a gloomy Cardiff Central.
#ontrackplant

a yellow railway machine sits in an overgrown siding

a yellow railway machine sits in an overgrown siding, surrounded by other railway machines, signs and lights

a rusty yellow railway machine sits in an overgrown siding

a yellow railway machine sits on a black wagon

Here's the first in an occasional series looking back at old on-track plant liveries, kicking off with the classic yellow with red BR double arrow logo and Civil Engineering Department signage. A couple of machines lingered about on the rail network until the mid-2000s!
#ontrackplant #OTPliveries

Network Rail Selling High Output Ballast Cleaning Train Network Rail have put one of their Ballast Cleaning Trains up for sale via their competitive tendering process. Closing dates for bids is 13 April 2026.

Network Rail have put one of their Ballast Cleaning Trains up for sale. Closing dates for bids is 13 April.

Most of the vehicles can be found at Fairwater Yard, with a few having recenlty moved to Tyne Yard.

www.ontrackplant.com/news/network...

#ontrackplant

a large blue & white railway machine sits in a siding, with some buddleia bushes surrounding it

Due for retirement this year, Balfour Beatty's Plasser & Theurer 08-4x4/4S-RT Switch & Crossing Tamper DR73917 sits in a siding at Sittingbourne, partially obstructed by bushes and stuff.
#ontrackplant #tamperTuesday

a yellow railway machine in a shed

a red & grey railway machine accompanied by a similar yellow machine

a pair of maroon-coloured railway cranes sit in a siding

a large red railway machine is seen sitting on a road-lorry

Fifteen years ago the final Fastline machines at Bristol Marsh Junction OTPD (part of the larger St Philips Marsh site) were being cleared out with several going for scrap, some abroad and one for preservation in Swindon. February 2011
#ontrackplant #tamperTuesday

A large yellow railway machine sits in a siding. It is partially obscured by a fence and reels of cable. The sky is nice and blue

A large yellow railway machine sits in a siding. It is partially obscured by a fence and reels of cable. The sky is cloudy and dull.

Another Stoneblower off the list, although not entirely happy with the obstruction. Here are two shots of DR80216 taken a few minutes apart in very changable weather!
#stoneblower #ontrackplant

an orange, black & yellow railway machine sits in a siding

an orange, black & yellow railway machine sits in a siding. Next to it is a yellow machine.

a close up shot of a name plaque "Jupiter" and another label stating "This machine is powered by HVO fuel"

"COLAS RAIL" and "DR73910" decals on an orange railway machine's cab

Colas Rail's Plasser & Theurer 08-4x4/4S-RT Switch & Crossing Tamper DR73910 "Jupiter" sits in a gloomy siding.
#tamperTuesday #ontrackplant

Tamper and Road-Railer Roundup - January 2026 Here is a short round-up of tamper and road-railer news during January 2026.

Here is a short round-up of tamper and road-railer news during January 2026.
#ontrackplant

www.ontrackplant.com/news/tamper-...

DR73908 might be making its last move to Rugby OTPD today before being retired/replaced by DR73954 in the Anglia region. (Usual cancellation / rescheduling disclaimers apply! )
Here's a photo of it when it was new. How time flies!
#ontrackplant
www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-n...

Taunton Fairwater Clearout - On-Track Machines - Forum Of interest whilst I was observing all the wagons in Fairwater Yard today, was that 69006 arrived li...

Taunton Fairwater Clearout - new forum topic by Roger Harris.
#ontrackplant

www.ontrackplant.com/forum/on-tra...

a large yellow & blue railway machine sits in a siding

a large yellow & blue railway machine sits in a siding

a large yellow & blue railway machine sits in a siding

a close up detail of some numbering information on a yellow railway machine

A pair of SBRail's Plasser & Theurer Unimat 09-4x4/4S Dynamic Tampers sit in the siding at Hemel Hempstead ready for work over the Christmas period on the WCML, 24 December 2025.
ontrackplant.com #ontrackplant #tamperTuesday

Realtime Trains | 6J13 1020 Broxbourne Down Tamper Sdg to Rugby Depot Access Line | 17/01/2026 Real-time train running information for 6J13 1020 departure from Broxbourne Down Tamper Sdg to Rugby Depot Access Line on 17/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info…

On Saturday 17th DR73906 should be making its last move to Rugby OTPD before being retired/replaced by DR73953 in the Anglia region. Usual cancellation / rescheduling disclaimers apply!
If you see it then please upload a photo!
#ontrackplant

www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-n...

Realtime Trains | 6Q05 1009 West Ealing Plasser Sdgs to Swanage | 15/01/2026 Real-time train running information for 6Q05 1009 departure from West Ealing Plasser Sdgs to Swanage on 15/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

On Thusrday 15th January a new Balfour Beatty tamper (DR73955?) should be moving from West Ealing to Swanage Railway for testing. Usual cancellation / rescheduling disclaimers apply!
If you see it then please upload a photo!
#ontrackplant

www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-n...

a small orange & yellow railway machine sits in a siding. It is next to a box and a lot of brown trackwork & vegetation

a small orange & yellow railway machine sits in a siding. It is accompanied by a yellow wagon

Two of Colas Rail's small Plasser & Theurer tampers (DR73922 and DR73913) are seen in various sidings, 19 December 2025.
#tamperTuesday #ontrackplant

a moody dark scene featuring lots of railway tracks, some metalic structures, and a railway machine pluming out some exhaust fumes.

a large yellow railway machine trundles through some pointwork. It is under some overhead wires.

Network Rail Harsco Stoneblower DR80215 makes a spirited departure from Crewe. This machine is returning to Scotland (via a stop at Preston) after its yearly service at Harsco's works in Derby. 19 December 2025.
#stoneblower #ontrackplant

Made a good effort with last year's Stoneblower photo goal - filled in five out of eight gaps - including the Scottish one which I didn't think I'd get.
Will aim to get at least two more this year (not sure I'll manage the Worksop example ☹️)
#ontrackplant #stoneblowers ontrackplant.com

a large white & blue railway machine passes through a railway station. It is slightly obscured & surrounded by shadows.

a large white & blue railway machine passes through a railway station under a bridge

DR77002 - one of SBRail's Plasser AFM2000RT ballast finishing machines - trundles through Crewe working from Stafford to Preston. 19 December 2025.
#ontrackplant

Taunton, Somerset. DR 77910 (99 70 9125 008-1). Plasser & Theurer USP5000 Ballast Regulator works no. 7324, 2022. Photo: 06.07.2024. #Taunton #TrackMachine #OnTrackPlant #PlasserTheurer @ontrackplant.com

Taunton, Somerset. DR 75016 (99 70 9123 018-2). Plasser & Theurer Unimat 09-4x4/4S Dynamic Tamper works no. 7566, 2024. Photo: 06.07.2024. #Taunton #TrackMachine #OnTrackPlant #PlasserTheurer @ontrackplant.com

A small yellow, black and green railway trolley sits in a siding and is surrounded by snow. "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" text is overlaid on the picture.

I'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thanks for all of your contributions of sightings and photos over the last year!

#ontrackplant ontrackplant.com

a large blue and white railway machine sits in a siding. in the background is the front of a green train.

a large blue and white railway machine sits in a siding.

Balfour Beatty's Matisa B66UC tamper DR75501 sits in the siding at Chichester, 23 September 2025.
ontrackplant.com #ontrackplant #tamperTuesday

a large yellow railway machine stands in a platform under a glorious blue sky

a large yellow railway machine moves through some complicated trackwork

a close up detail view of the tamping tools & equipment on a railway tamping machine

a close up detail of some numbering information on a yellow railway machine

Swietelsky's Plasser & Theurer 08-4x4/4S-RT Tamper DR73940 arrives at Guide Bridge after working in from Blackburn sidings.
ontrackplant.com #ontrackplant #tamperTuesday

a large yellow railway machine stands in a platform under a glorious blue sky

a large yellow railway machine moves through some complicated trackwork

a close up detail of some numbering information on a yellow railway machine

SBRail / Swietelsky's Plasser & Theurer Unimat 09-4x4/4S Dynamic Tamper DR74002 arrives at Guide Bridge after working in from York Skelton OTM Sidings, 27 October 2025.
ontrackplant.com #ontrackplant #tamperTuesday #universalstopfmaschine

A large orange & black railway tamping machine stabled in some sidings. It is illuminated by a low orange autumn sun and is surrounded by brown trees and bushes.

A view of the tamping machine's complicated tools and machinery

a close up detail of some numbering information on an orange railway machine

A large orange & black railway tamping machine stabled in some sidings. To the right is a road and a sun.

Colas Rail's Plasser & Theurer Unimat 09-4x4/4S Dynamic Tamper DR75016 sits in the sun at Westerleigh, November 2025.
ontrackplant.com #ontrackplant #tamperTuesday #universalstopfmaschine

Kirow crane support wagon - On-Track Machines - Forum Noted on Doncaster Wood Yard today was SB Kirow crane 81624 with support wagon KFA 93461. This wagon...

There are currently a number of queries regarding support wagons for the various Kirow cranes. If you have seen any recently then please get in touch!
www.ontrackplant.com/forum/on-tra...
#ontrackplant

two large yellow railway machines

a large yellow railway machine passes by a road under a lovely blue sky

Two of Network Rail's Harsco Stoneblowers - DR80301 + DR80303 - make their way through the sidings at Westerleigh on a working to Hallen Moor Junction, August 2025.
ontrackplant.com #ontrackplant

a large yellow railway machine trundles along a railway line, which is slightly overgrown with weeds

a large yellow railway machine trundles along a railway line, which is slightly overgrown with weeds

A Network Rail Harsco Stoneblower - DR80209 - approaches Derby station whilst working from Derby RTC to Sleaford, 1 August 2025.
ontrackplant.com #ontrackplant