Track Developing maintena


Voestalpine is testing what it claims is the world’s first maintenance-free rail. Kevin Smith spoke with Norbert Frank, the company’s head of technology, about how Dobain differs from existing rails already available and how it might alter the track maintenance landscape.


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R


AILWAY infrastructure managers invest millions every year in grinding and milling rails to avoid the potential problems that can emerge as a result of rolling contact fatigue (RCF). An increasingly common phenomenon due to greater traffic levels, RCF is the result of over- stressing of the rail caused by thousands of wheel-rail interface interactions, and was cited as the cause of Britain’s devastating Hatfield derailment in 2000. Dipl-Ing Dr Norbert Frank,


Voestalpine’s head of technology, says the company recognised an opportunity


in the market during the mid-2000s to develop a new steel grade for rails that could eliminate this problem altogether and reduce maintenance costs significantly. The result is Dobain, which is described by Voestalpine as the world’s first maintenance-free rail with respect to RCF management, and is currently around half way through extensive track testing in Germany and Austria with a view towards certification for use in these two countries. Discussions are also progressing with other leading European infrastructure managers


IRJ December 2012


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