New locomotive for the popular Soller train

SOLLER has a new locomotive capable of using both road and railway.
It was acquired by the Tren de Soller railway company (the popular Soller train which runs from Palma's Plaza España) as part of investments linked with the extension of the concession of the service. The locomotive has the ability to travel via both road and rail due to the incorporation of tyres on its wheels. It is the first locomotive of this type to arrive on the island. According to company sources the locomotive cost around 450'000 euros and was made specially for the width of the Soller train's rails, as well as for the characteristics of its layout. The machine arrived on a lorry which unloaded it next to the Son Hugo swimming pool complex.
Once it was on the rails it went to Son Sardina where technicians from the manufacturing company Unilock spent a few hours adapting it.
This Irish company has manufactured 380 units for railway companies throughout Europe.
The machine weighs 16.5 tonnes and is equipped with double traction via hydraulic diesel motors.
Its haulage capacity is 1'200 tonnes on straight stretches and 400 tonnes on slopes.
The recently acquired machine will be used for the renovation of the tracks of the rail network.
The Soller railway is still one of the most popular excursions on the island, despite the construction of the road tunnel, which effectively cuts the time needed to travel between the Palma and Soller. It passes through some of the most beautiful scenery on the island, and there is a special “tourist train” which makes a special stop at a viewpoint high in the mountains, so that visitors can take snapshots.