Rail Surfacing

Friction between the running surface and wheel is the main cause of rail wear and predominates at narrow curves, gradients, and rapid change of speed. Rail wear like surface corrugations and deformation (batter) accelerates rail damage, reduces passenger comfort, increases vibration and noise, and has safety implications. With embedded rails wear of the guard or check rail also changes the wheel rail contact area with resulting deterioration in track quality.

The Goldschmidt-Thermit-Group has a range of materials and procedures to build up the rail head by welding to reduce headwear or repair surface damage. Both the running surface and the gauge corner can be welded, and the process is applied either to new rail in our workshop or to rails already installed in track. For tight curves, new rail may be pre-bent to design radius in our workshop as part of the surfacing process and shipped to site ready for installation.

Once installed, treated rails may be resurfaced using the same process to extend their service life. Expensive renewal work is thus avoided. The surfacing process uses submerged arc welding technology. Different consumables are provided for running surface (corrugation) and gauge corner (wear) to produce maximum benefits. The welding operation is followed by precision grinding to restore the rail profile.