Railway Track & Structures - November 2007 - (Page 27)

They are manual, remote-controlled, in-tie and meeting railroads’ needs with new features and new designs. by Mischa Wanek-Libman, assistant editor Time for a switch erty. ALSTOM has recently looked into solar and remote capabilities for the Model 6 Yard Machine.” According to ALSTOM, the TM100, which features in-tie technology, is a costeffective solution, is ideal for new construction projects. The company also notes that it lowers life-cycle costs by eliminating the need for layout-rods, which translates to an average saving of more than 20 percent, and allows for machine tamping, providing greater track stability and resulting in fewer maintenance calls, long term. “ALSTOM has designed and engineered our switch machines with the future of this industry in mind. We’re changing the way the industry sees switch machines and the information they provide,” said Palozzi. RailComm remote-controlled, solarpowered switch machine in service at Ineos Phenol plant in Mobile, Ala. S witch stands and switch machines continue to evolve to meet railroading needs in design and safety and they are now tackling the challenges of dark territory. Here is an update on what manufacturers of switch stands and machines are producing and what they think of the current market. ALSTOM ALSTOM offers a line of switch machines that includes wayside, in-tie and yard machines. The company also has a line of training tools accessible via its Website and a mobile training center available to demonstrate machines anywhere across the country. “It is evident in the rail signaling industry that providing timely, useful and vital information is paramount. The future of our comprehensive line of switch machines lies in the ability to do so. ALSTOM switch machines are not just moving rail; they’re providing information,” said Michelle Blondin, product marketing manager at ALSTOM. “The GM4000A Wayside Machine and TM100 In-Tie Machine are both robust, modular machines that have become industry benchmarks. ALSTOM’s Model 6 Trailable, Yard Switch Machine has more than 80 years of proven performance and is known as the industry’s standard yard machine,” said Alberino Palozzi, product line manager, switch machines at ALSTOM. Palozzi continued, “The Model 6 Yard Machine has a reputation in the industry for longevity, evident by the large installed base in North America. ALSTOM has secured recent business with a Class 1 railroad and a major transit authority for renovating their yard propwww.rtands.com be a balance of cost, reliability and employee safety. “In Mexico, the switch stand/machine market is very conservative, volumes are very low compared to North America so all new trends are defined by North American railroads and imported to Mexico when the cost benefits are justified,” said Damy. GE Transportation GE Transportation Global Signaling offers a line of switch machines for main line and yard applications. According to the company, the CTS-2 In-Tie Switch Machine integrates all the traditional switch machine components into a single tie unit and eliminates the need for head block timbers, gauge plate and external rods. A recent development is the company’s next generation point detection, the PDS-2, which is a mechanical point detection device that delivers higher reliability and life expectancy over the prior generation PDS. GE continues to work with customers on development of new features and enhancements to existing features. “Customers are supporting in-tie machine technology. They want the added benefits of reduced maintenance and ease of installation of in-tie machines. However, this is still relatively new technology and customers are in the pilot phase. Part of getting through that phase is to continue to develop the features that are critical to the customer,” said James Guthrey, product manager at GE. GE’s Hydra-Switch 3000LP is hydraulically operated, automatic, can be November 2007 27 DAMY® DAMY® manufactures two types of switch stands for the Mexican market, a high- and low-column stand in rigid and semiautomatic modes. DAMY’s secondary product line covers the rigid 51-A low stand for FERROSUR (Ferrocarril del Sureste). In addition, DAMY manufactures two types of pavement stands, which are used by industrial customers in the U.S. and maritime ports in Mexico API (Administracion Portuaria Integral). These stands are manufactured with a reinforced cover that permits transit of vehicles over the stand. DAMY also manufactures the Star model, which is a high-column rigid stand with a yellow signal flag and is mostly applied on switch point derailers. Alex Damy, commercial director at DAMY, notes that railroads are asking for better prices on switch stands, but when it comes time to purchase, it should Railway Track & Structures http://www.rtands.com

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Railway Track & Structures - November 2007 Contents On Track Industry Today Supplier News AREMA News NRC News TTCI R&D Seattle Retrofits Downtown Transit Tunnel Switch Stand, Switch Machines Planning M/W with Modern, High-Tech Tools Products & Literature People Calendar Advertisers Index Sales Representatives Website Directory Professional Directory Classified Advertising Chicago Perspective

Railway Track & Structures - November 2007

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