Year of Production: 1989
Avantgarde’s Retrofit: 2022

This project is one of the many successfully delivered by Avantgarde over the years. It stands out for the complexity of the tasks and the outstanding engineering and technological results achieved thanks to the expertise of our highly skilled technicians. All work was carried out in-house, across the various departments of Avantgarde’s railway workshop in Modugno (BA), Puglia – Italy.

Avantgarde successfully completed the full retrofit of a 1989 Plasser SSP 203 ballast regulator, renewing it to optimal working condition and upgrading it to 2022 standards — bringing over 33 years of service back to life.

The project involved a complete overhaul of the frame, mechanical parts, running gear, braking system, hydraulic and pneumatic plants and components, electrical and control systems. The machine was redesigned according to the client’s specifications and safety regulations.

The operator’s cabin was fully redesigned for improved ergonomics and comfort, featuring new seating, thermal and acoustic insulation, updated flooring, air conditioning, and a modern control dashboard for enhanced usability.

To improve efficiency and ensure the highest safety standards, the machine was equipped with Avantgarde’s proprietary innovations: the AVrecorDATA provides continuous diagnostics and event recording in line with EN 62625 and EN 14033/1-2.

All safety-critical systems were upgraded to ensure full compliance with national and international standards. Functional testing and a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) were performed internally in Avantgarde’s facility.

The project concluded with on-site commissioning, and operator training to ensure a safe and efficient field operation.

Thanks to Avantgarde’s intervention, the SSP 203 has been fully restored, compliant, and ready to work with maximum performance and reliability.