McCulloch Rail opted for the Mercedes-Benz Unimog when it needed a new truck with a unique combination of attributes.

The Ayrshire-based railway maintenance contractor required a vehicle that could work with equal ease on-road, across rough unmade ground, or even on train lines – and nothing else offered the Unimog’s versatility.

McCulloch’s latest Unimog is a Euro VI U427 model, supplied by specialist Dealer South Cave Tractors, of Brough, East Yorkshire. Its 272PS six-cylinder engine drives through a fully synchronised manual transmission that has eight forward and eight reverse gears.

In addition to its road wheels, the 13-tonne gvw chassis is fitted with special rail wheels by German specialist Zagro. These can be lowered to enable the truck to drive along railway tracks, then raised again when not required.

A road-rail vehicle typically requires a level crossing or RRAP (Road Rail Access Point) to join the track but the Unimog’s unrivalled off-road capability means that if none is available nearby it can comfortably cross any ground necessary to get to work.

With its factory-fitted dropside body and ability to tow a large trailer the Unimog can transport a full complement of tools and machinery to the most remote rail locations.

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