X2 Hi-Rail Systems on Cat and Deere Excavators: 2026 Deliveries

This summer, DymaxRail’s X2 hi-rail systems went to work on Cat and Deere excavators across the U.S. and Canada — on rental fleets, contractor machines, and a transit agency’s equipment. Here’s where they landed and what the crews are doing with them.

Cat 315 excavator with X2 hi-rail system and VortexMax brushcutter clearing brush on the Arizona & Eastern Railroad

A Cat 315 X2 runs a DymaxRail VortexMax brushcutter, clearing mesquite and bamboo along the Arizona & Eastern right-of-way.

Empire Cat Puts Rail-Ready Machines in Its Rental Fleet

Empire Cat recently added three X2 hi-rail systems to its rental fleet — two on Cat 315 excavators and one on a Cat 325.

Now contractors across California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and beyond can put the X2 to work on a real job before they commit to one of their own. DymaxRail attachments are also available — tamper, brushcutter, grapple, and more, plus heavier track and ballast tools for the 325.

We caught up with one of those rentals working the Arizona & Eastern Railroad, a Genesee & Wyoming line.

“Man, I wish we had bought this instead of renting it.” — Operator, Arizona & Eastern Railroad

John Deere 250P excavator with X2-25T hi-rail system and basket tine grapple delivered near Calgary

A Deere 250P on the Rails in Four Days near Calgary

Converting an excavator for rail work used to mean shipping it to the manufacturer and waiting as long as six months. Brandt Tractor installed this X2-25T in their own shop near Calgary and had the Deere 250P on the rails in four days!

It was outfitted with a full attachments package, including Rototilt coupler system, DymaxRail 15-foot Ballast Blaster, tamper, and specialized grapples, along with a tow cart.

The end customer also upgraded to insulated wheels and axles to avoid shunting at crossings.

Cat 308 excavator with X2-8T hi-rail system railed at a Metro-North Railroad yard in New York, beside a Metro-North service truck

A Compact X2 for Working in Tight Spaces at Metro-North Railroad

In New York City, we delivered an X2-8T system on a Cat 308 to Metro-North Railroad, alongside H.O. Penn Machinery.

The compact machine offers versatility for transit work — it fits the urban clearance envelopes a full-size excavator can’t. And because the X2 railgear detaches without machine modifications, the same 308 can be repurposed for off-track work.

After the install, a DymaxRail representative gave a brief orientation on how the system works. The operators liked the simplicity and how fast and easy it is to get on rail.

“It was so nice having someone on site who knows what they’re talking about,” said a manager at Metro-North.

READY TO PUT AN X2 ON YOUR MACHINE?

The X2 fits many brands — including a Komatsu PC-138 that is heading out the door this month. We’re also building X2 systems for Western States Cat and MacAllister Railroad Machinery for delivery in early 2027, with more lined up behind them.

See the X2 hi-rail system for track excavators, or contact our team for a quote.

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