REHAU is building its reputation in the railway industry by successfully developing contemporary polymer based solutions to replace and improve existing products.
REHAU is building its reputation in the railway industry by successfully developing contemporary polymer based solutions to replace and improve existing products.
The company’s approach of reinterpreting the demands of the industry for the 21st century and applying advanced, innovative product development techniques is helping it to win significant new contracts.
A typical example is REHAU’s protective boarding produced at its own factory in North Wales from high visibility UV-stable PVC and offered as an improvement over the traditional wooden version.
REHAU’s protective boarding offers personal protection against coming into contact with the live conductor rail as well as providing a barrier against the use of a short circuit bar. It has full product acceptance for use at S&C locations and at sites where tamping or rail grinding is not undertaken such as in sidings, depots or stations. It can also be simply and safely installed on both 106lb/yd and 150lb/yd conductor rails.
REHAU protective boarding has already been used in the successful fit out of the high profile Ashford Rail Depot – its distinctive bright yellow finish is visible in many of the publicity shots taken of both the depot and the new bullet train; and more than 10,000m are currently being fitted for South Eastern trains by Gamble Rail at the Ramsgate Rail Depot in Kent.
REHAU’s protective boarding has significant advantages over the wooden alternative, largely as a result of the light weight and durability of the polymer used in its manufacture.
For example, as well as being high impact resistant, the PVC is also self extinguishing and is flexible enough to be installed on curved track where required. It can be positioned on quick, easy mounting clips developed by REHAU which halve the installation time compared with wooden rails and eliminate the need for power tools to be used.
A custom designed protective board removal/installation tool which has an insulated shaft and board adaptors has been developed to increase installation and removal efficiency.
REHAU emphasises that the new protective boarding is a practical, long life and low cost solution. As one of the world’s leading polymer producers, the company has developed the ideal polymer formulation for use at track side and can quote a life expectancy for the boarding in excess of 30 years.
This latest new product development from REHAU follows on from its successful reinvention and improvement of the live rail insulator and the replacement of porcelain originals with a new GRP version.
More than 250,000 REHAU insulators have now been installed throughout the live rail network as they have proved to be more cost effective, lighter and easier to handle and more impact resistant than the existing product.
REHAU welcomes enquiries from customers keen to develop new alternatives for other traditional products.
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