Higher level NRG-joints on lower level rails - voestalpine Track Solutions Netherlands B.V.

25 November 2020 |

Installing fitting items in the existing railway tracks is quite a challenging task. This is because the existing rail is more worn-down and therefore lower in height than the new rail. It gets even more complicated when a brand new insulated rail joint needs to be placed in an existing rail. The difference in height is usually solved by heightening the ballast bed underneath the rails, which is a time-consuming job. Unfortunately, this is often not the best solution when it comes to maintaining the quality of the joint. The way the insulated rail joint is fitted in the rail is crucial for its quality and lifespan. Our answer to this challenge? A milled NRG-joint. Recently, the first milled NRG-joint left our Crailoo premises in Hilversum, the Netherlands.

Advantages of milling at a certain height

Because the deepness of wear and tear in rails fluctuates, we are able to deliver NRG-joints that are milled at several depths, varying from -2, -4, -6 and -8 mm. In our milling factory, the rails are carefully prepared at the required height. The advantage is that it is no longer necessary to heighten the rail. In addition, less grinding activities are needed on the rail, resulting in less input of heat. Moreover, transition joints are now a thing of the past. All in all, we expect to achieve considerable improvements when it comes to quality and time-saving, and thus substantially shorten the rail maintenance periods.

Less steel, longer lifespan?

After the milling procedure, the milled rail section is converted into the NRG-joint. The end post is then manually grinded up to the rail head. A piece of craftsmanship, based on a tailor-made approach that guarantees ultimate quality. The result? A unique client-oriented NRG-joint.

Are you interested in this new addition of our assortment? Do not hesitate to contact our product manager Sjors van de Vecht or our international sales department.