Liebherr has been developing railroad excavators since 1967 and, as an OEM manufacturer, is the world market leader in this field. Liebherr offers its customers an optimal complete package: the base machine, rail guide system, quick coupling system, attachments, and all safety systems are developed in-house by Liebherr and optimally tailored to the machine. Liebherr will be showcasing its three powerful railroad excavators at the 29th International Exhibition for Track Technology (IAF) 2025. These include the RE 25 M, which was unveiled at Bauma. Liebherr will also be presenting a wide range of attachments at its booth, some of which have been specially designed for railroad excavators.
Setting the course for the future: the new Liebherr railroad excavator RE 25 M
At IAF 2025, Liebherr is presenting the new RE 25 M Litronic railroad excavator, the first model in the 24.4 to 25.7 tonne operating mass range. The powerful machine is equipped with the proven engine of the A 922 Rail railroad excavator and impresses with an engine power of 120 kW. The high-quality and unique hydraulic system has also been adopted. In addition to the proven components, the new RE 25 M Litronic has a number of innovations that make the machine the best solution in its weight class. The small tail swing radius of 1.57 metres stands out, ensuring that the rear of the machine always remains within the clearance profile when swinging. This increases safety and also enables Liebherr to open up new markets with this requirement, such as France. The machine is equipped with a completely new, comfortable double cab, including the intuitive INTUSI operating concept. Furthermore, a number of new assistance systems are installed in the RE 25 M, such as the 2D machine control system integrated into INTUSI or the person detection system, which are available for the first time in the new railroad excavator.
Liebherr is presenting a new undercarriage in the RE 25 M, which will be standard in all future rail machines. In particular, the new rail guide system (patent pending) sets the course for the future: thanks to the hydrostatic rail wheel drive, the railroad excavator can travel in the excavated state (category 9A). On the other hand, the RE 25 M can lower itself onto the tracks with the road tyres and thus generate the necessary traction with the tyres on the rail (category 9C). This means that the RE 25 M can not only work and drive in one position, but also – where permitted – work in the lowered position and drive in the raised position, thus avoiding damage to the rail infrastructure. This is made possible by a completely redesigned storing and oscillating system for the rail guide system.
Flexible use on road and rail: the Liebherr A 922 Rail and A 924 Rail railroad excavators
Liebherr railroad excavators impress with their performance: With a 120 kW / 163 hp engine, the machines achieve high working speeds with the usual smooth working movements. The innovative hydraulics concept includes a Liebherr variable displacement double pump with independent regulating circuits. Powerful hydraulic attachments can thus be operated independently of the working and driving movements of the Liebherr rail-road excavator. For more performance, the flow rate of the proven Liebherr variable displacement double pump has been increased to 2x220 l/min. In addition, a heavier counterweight has been designed to achieve the best load lift values with improved weight distribution and a more compact tail swing radius of 2,000 mm. While the A 922 Rail has an operating mass of 20,400 to 23,400 kg, the A 924 Rail is in a higher tonnage class with an operating mass of 21,800 to 25,000 kg. On both machines, the rail guide system is mounted on both sides of the undercarriage: During changeover to rail, the rail guide system is lowered axle by axle until the inner wheels of the twin tires are in contact with the track wheel and ensure the friction connection of the travel drive.
Rail machine attachments and quick coupling systems
In order to meet the various construction site requirements efficiently and reliably, Liebherr offers a comprehensive portfolio of attachments to further enhance the versatility of its rail machines. With the fully hydraulic Liebherr quick coupling system Solidlink both mechanical and hydraulic tools can be changed quickly and safely from the operator's cab. The rail-road excavators presented at IAF are equipped with Solidlink. Liebherr will also be presenting a wide range of attachments at its booth, some of which have been specially designed for the railroad excavators.
These include the Liebherr GMZ 22 clamshell buckets, which are ideal for rail construction and can be individually configured to meet customer requirements. At the IAF, Liebherr will be showing the GMZ 22 track grab and GMZ 22 with combination buckets. In addition to a mast grab with a clamping range of 250–600 mm, the pallet fork PG SWA 33 FEM II and various buckets, such as the 2-in-1 bucket and the GRL 90 ditch-cleaning bucket, will also be on display.
