Railway Track & Structures - June 2008 - (Page 52)

Fasteners “Vossloh hopes to capitalize on a strong, but relatively flat fastener market in 2008,” said John Stout, vice president of sales. “Vossloh will focus on the Class 1 and freight markets, where the high axle loads and traffic density have driven the need for fastening systems with improved performance and lower life-cycle costs.” According to Senior Vice President Sales Alan Briggs, the strong performance of Vossloh’s W14 HH System for concrete ties has driven interest from a number of railroads as shown by BNSF’s recent announcement that they are transitioning to Vossloh’s W14 HH System on new concrete ties. Briggs said, “Our system has seen more than 150 mgt in track with promising results in the reduction of gauge wear and rail seat abrasion. The W14 HH is unique in the market with the world’s only captive three-element clipping system, having two independent spring arms applying a consistent toe load to the rail base and an integrated antirollover device.” Briggs went on to say the design of the W14 HH System transfers the lateral loads from the rail through a guide plate and into the body of the concrete tie, avoiding shear load on the lag screw. “The modular design of the W14 HH System allows for easy in-track component replacement after a derailment without the need to core drill or remove the ties from track,” Briggs noted. “This modular design also allows for gauge adjustment to accommodate rail wear and the ability to change from six-inch to 5.5-inch base rail on the same tie with just an exchange of the guide plates. The W14 HH is designed as a fully-insulated system and Vossloh has eliminated the need for an insulator between the rail clip and the rail base to reduce maintenance costs. Additionally, the W14 HH design eliminates the need for ductile iron cast in shoulders that can be subject to wear, which can lead to gauge widening.” Vossloh has also developed products for the wood-tie fastening market in North America with the BT14 System. Stout points out that the system uses standard AREMA tie plates coupled with their resilient Skl14 rail clip. “We listened to the problems the railroads face with some cast plates and rolled steel plates and most railroads agree that standard AREMA plates worked well for them, but the traditional cut spike fasteners on AREMA plates do not meet their performance requirements, especially in high-tonnage or curved track. In response, we developed a method to make our Skl14 clip captive to standard AREMA tie plates. The use of the Skl14 resilient clip applies a high toe load to the rail base and eliminates the need for rail anchors to prevent rail creep. In addition, the Skl14 clips’ integrated anti-rollover device prevents rail tilting that can occur with cut spikes and other fasteners that lead to gauge widening and tie degradation.” As Vossloh continues to expand its presence in North America, the company is working on a number of new product developments to increase product range, including a version of the BT14 System to accommodate 6.6-inch base rail and adapting fasteners for use with special trackwork. “In addition, Vossloh has committed to an extensive research and development program with in-house laboratory testing capabilities to drive continuous improvement of their Vossloh fasteners in service in Montana. with easy access for maintenance and adjustment.” Vossloh Vossloh Fastening Systems America Corporation is continuing to build on the momentum of the past two years since their reentry into the North American market and the opening of their office in Chicago. Vossloh brings more than 100 years of experience in the development and manufacturing of rail fastening system solutions with installations in more than 90 countries, serving heavy-haul, high-speed rail and mass transit customers with climates from the Artic Circle to desert sands. 52 Railway Track & Structures June 2008 www.rtands.com http://www.rtands.com

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Railway Track & Structures - June 2008 Contents On Track Industry Today Supplier News AREMA News NRC News TTCI R&D Grade Crossings Provide Interface Between Railroads, Public Grade-Crossing Equipment & Materials Guide Fastener Suppliers Getting a Grip Grinding Plays Part in Rail Maintenance Big Picture Products and Literature People Calendar Sales Representatives Website Directory Advertisers Index Professional Directory Classified Advertising Chicago Perspective

Railway Track & Structures - June 2008

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