The Keyway Concrete Tie, provided exclusively by voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak, is an innovative solution that addresses the need for reliable railroad infrastructure. Combining the durability and gauge strength of concrete ties with the flexibility and interchangeability of wood ties, the Keyway Tie offers a groundbreaking solution. Its ability to be interspersed with wood ties at strategic intervals using standard maintenance equipment allows for incremental and efficient conversion to a more durable infrastructure system. This groundbreaking approach ensures the track’s reliability, availability, maintainability, and safety, providing a significant advancement in track infrastructure evolution.
Concrete ties have proven their value to North American railroads. However, more than 90% of all tracks are still built with treated wood ties. Wood ties have historically been inexpensive, available and easily maintained, leading to widespread use. However, rising timber tie costs and decreased consistency have recently strained supply chains to meet demand. Additionally, a leading cause of main line derailments is failure to maintain gauge, which is attributed to timber tie decay.
Railroads are in search of alternatives that provide more reliable infrastructure. However, the wholesale conversion to concrete ties that is typically required can be costly and operationally disruptive. The Keyway Concrete Tie, exclusively available from voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak, is a groundbreaking and cost-effective solution. The Keyway Concrete Tie is engineered with a unique keyway design that allows for the installation of the tie with standard equipment and minimal disruption to the existing track. This innovative design streamlines the installation process and reduces the need for extensive track maintenance, resulting in cost savings for railroads.
The Keyway Concrete Tie’s stiffness matches timber ties using an advanced approach. By grouping resilient components with heavy-duty ductile tie plates and 10,000 psi concrete ties, the Keyway provides the durability and gauge holding strength of the concrete relations while matching the lower track stiffness and fastening system interchangeability of wood ties. Despite having the longevity of concrete, the Keyway is made with wood tie maintenance infrastructure in mind. It is a similar size to standard timber ties. It is designed to be interspersed with wood ties at strategic intervals using standard maintenance-of-way equipment. The Keyway fastening assembly incorporates gauge adjustability, allowing the tie to be placed in the existing track without gauge adjustment.
Interspersing concrete crossties on timber tracks has been a long-appreciated method for realizing numerous concrete crosstie advantages on timber tie tracks. Still, challenges regarding the cross-compatibility of track stiffnesses between timber and concrete ties have historically prevented this ideal solution. Current trials on portions of a Class I railroad compare the results of complete track replacement to concrete ties versus interspersed concrete crossties concerning performance and cost metrics. Preliminary results show that the interspersed concrete tie trial alternative maximizes the effect of capital track replacement expenditures while minimizing track disruption time and potential track defects.
Additionally, the Keyway Concrete Tie is designed to enhance the performance and longevity of existing railroad tracks. Its robust construction and pioneering fastening systems ensure that it can withstand the demands of heavy rail traffic while providing stability and load sharing to the adjacent ties. This translates to reduced maintenance requirements and prolonged service life for the existing railroad infrastructure. With its focus on providing a secure and stable track for operations, the Keyway Concrete Tie offers a practical alternative for railroads looking to upgrade their infrastructure without incurring the substantial capital costs and operational disruptions associated with wholesale conversion to traditional concrete ties. This solution promotes the future reliability and safety of the railroad infrastructure, providing a secure and stable track for operations.
The Keyway Concrete Tie has garnered favorable reviews from various railroad operators for its ease of installation and adaptable nature, which showcases its capability to meet the diverse needs of different types of tracks. Keyway Concrete Ties have been successfully installed in a variety of tracks, including high-tonnage heavy haul, commuter rail and light rail. These installations, which involved intermixing with existing wood ties and utilizing standard maintenance-of-way equipment, have all been successful, demonstrating the adaptability and reliability of the Keyway Concrete Tie. With its ability to seamlessly integrate with existing wood ties and utilize standard maintenance of way equipment, the Keyway Concrete Tie continues to demonstrate its potential in revolutionizing railroad infrastructure.
In conclusion, the Keyway Concrete Tie offered by voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak presents an innovative and practical solution for upgrading railroad infrastructure without the need for wholesale conversion to traditional concrete ties. Its unique design, ease of installation, ability to seamlessly integrate with existing wood tie track, and favorable reviews from various railroad operators demonstrate its potential to revolutionize railroad infrastructure. By providing a real-world alternative for railroads to enhance reliability and safety without incurring substantial capital costs and operational disruptions, the Keyway Concrete Tie showcases itself as a valuable advancement in the evolution of track infrastructure.
voestalpine Railway Systems Nortrak offers comprehensive, in-house design and manufacturing of 100% Buy America compliant railway system solutions. The product portfolio includes special trackwork, switch machines, monitoring systems, premium rail, concrete ties, direct fixation fasteners, resilient clips, pads, and insulators. The Keyway Concrete Tie exemplifies the commitment to providing innovative solutions that meet the highest standards of reliability and performance, supporting railroads across North America in achieving a more durable and efficient infrastructure.
We invite you to learn more about the Keyway Concrete Tie and its transformative impact on railroad infrastructure by visiting our booth, 1007, at the upcoming AREMA 2024 Conference & Expo. Our team will be on hand to discuss how this innovative solution can meet your specific needs. Additionally, don’t miss our Solution Center presentation, where we’ll delve deeper into the benefits and applications of the Keyway Concrete Tie. We look forward to seeing you there and exploring how we can help advance your railroad infrastructure projects.
