Railway Track & Structures - February 2009 - (Page 27)

by Tom Judge, editor potential Wheel/rail lubrication has proven benefits, including extended rail life, better fuel economy and more efficient train handling, but it offers even more. Portec Rail Group TFM™ service specialist performs a field software upgrade to a PROTECTOR IV RPM™ monitoring system. Rail lubrication proving L ubrication suppliers are offering more high-tech solutions, including advanced friction modifiers. They are also making it easier for railroads to maintain the systems in the field. L.B. Foster According to Sid Shue, general manager, Rail Products Engineering, L.B. Foster Company, “We are continuing to successfully add new features to our existing line-up of wayside rail lubrication products.” Several years ago, working with the company’s track lubrication partner, QHi-Rail, located in the United Kingdom, Foster introduced to the North American rail markets the Electro 20 Electric Rail Lubricator. This device also came equipped with a sophisticated telemetry system. Over the past year, several product enhancements have been made to the Electro 20. The cabinet, with a 400pound reservoir capacity, was redesigned with a lower profile to provide ergonomic advantages when manual www.rtands.com grease filling is required. This lower profile also provides an advantage over other units in specific applications such as with various North American transit systems where height is an issue. The company has also introduced a second product enhancement called EASi-BLADE. This unique wiper blade design pivots off the railhead without having to be removed prior to rail grinding. It is essentially a completely new concept in wiper blade design. “During rail grinding operations, the ability to quickly move the blade out of and then back into position is critical. EASi-BLADE installs quickly, is very competitively priced and is a single point wiper blade attachment. The distinct advantages EASi-BLADE has over other blades are quick and easy maintenance and its suitability for all wayside track lubrication devices currently in use” said Shue. Another recent product introduction is a new blade design incorporating a trough to catch excess grease. This keeps the track cleaner and reduces maintenance costs. This new blade is available on the company’s new devices or it can be retrofitted to existing units. The company also introduced two new grease distribution blade options in 2008. The first is a longer 48-inch blade that increases grease coverage per wheel when compared to standard 18-inch blades. The second is a restraining or guard rail blade that is mounted to hardware for use on most types of guard rails, typically “T” rail or “U” sections. The complete line-up of various lubrication devices sold by L.B. Foster includes the Electro 20 Electric Rail Lubricator, offering it with and without telemetry, as well as with solar, wind or main line charging options, for heavy haul railroads. The company also provides the Lubricurve™ 50 Hydraulic Lubricator for use in heavy haul, shortline and industrial applications. In addition, for passenger and commuter rail lines, L.B. Foster sells the Memolub® Rail Lubrication System, a selfpowered, portable, track-mounted lubrication system. The company also provides a complete line of ancillary products for its various lubrication Railway Track & Structures February 2009 27 http://www.rtands.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Railway Track & Structures - February 2009

Railway Track and Structures - February 2009 Contents On Track Industry Today Supplier News AREMA News NRC News TTCI R&D Railroads Stepping Up Use of Technology to Locate Rail Flaws Rail Lubrication Realizing Great Potential M/W Challenges: Track Settlement at Bridge Approaches Supplier Profiles Products and Literature People Calendar Advertisers Index Sales Representatives Website Directory Professional Directory Classified Advertising Chicago Perspective

Railway Track & Structures - February 2009

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