Fastener Secures Railway Crossing

Products from a UK engineering company have been successfully used in a new rail crossing designed for Network Rail. Alcoa Fastening Systems (AFS) supplied Nottingham-based Balfour Beatty Rail Track Systems with the Huck C50L Lockbolt for the inclined, part-welded rail crossing. Network Rail specificly requested Huck fasteners, which in turn were provided with support from Permalok Fastening Systems .

Brian Hayles, Special Trackwork Standards Engineer at Balfour Beatty Rail Track Systems said: 'Even though Huck is a recognised and well-established brand, the major advantage over using a nut and bolt system post installation is virtually zero maintenance'.'Although the inclined crossing solution provides a better profile for the train's wheels to roll on, every rail bearing position, depending on the location, could potentially require a different base plate'.

'However, due to its ease of installation and resulting joint strength the use of the C50L fastener offers the necessary flexibility to deal with that'.'In addition, the nut and bolt option requires auxiliary tapered washers to correct the inclined angle of the track, which may not only compromise the clamp force but is an extra cost'.

Doug Smith, Rail Account Manager at Permalok said: 'The C50L It is a heavy-duty, versatile, maintenance-free and high fatigue life fastener, that is totally resistant to vibratory loosening and thus ideally suited for this particular rail application'.'Its successful use on the new inclined crossings is a step towards developing a world class railway'.

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