Pre-coated light rail reduces installation time for Nottingham Express Transit

Pre-coated light rail reduces installation time for Nottingham Express TransitKeywords:Coatings, Rail transport, United Kingdom

Installation of the ALH Rail Coatings Limited "Series-Six"encapsulated rail for the UK's Nottingham Express Transit light rail scheme has begun (see Plate 1). NET Line 1 is to have 4km of twin track, street running,encapsulated rail laid – this is following the success of "Series-Six"with Midland Metro and the Manchester Metro extension.

"Series-Six" pre-coated polyurethane encapsulated rail was reportedly selected because of its high electrical insulation, vibration resistance, noise reduction, anti-skid and anti-corrosion properties. Plus, it substantially reduces installation time, and civil engineering long-term risk.

 Plate 1The first ALH Rail Coatings Limited "Series-Six" pre-coated polyurethane encapsulated rails being laid in Noel Street for the Nottingham Express Transit light rail scheme

Rail installation is said to be straightforward with the "Series-Six"pre-coated rail system. A concrete base slab is laid, to which rails are fixed by adjustable plates. Rail-to-rail bonding wires and the weld infill coating is then completed. Line, level, height and gauge adjustments are checked, concrete poured around the pre-coated rail, the road constructed up to the rails, and the road level finished to the rail height. Finally, the final road surface is applied – a "head-down construction".

Granite chippings or other anti-slip materials can be included in the top exposed area of the polyurethane. When the road surface is applied to the road adjacent to the rail, the anti-slip material can be matched up to the polymer,ensuring overall road-to-rail surface skid-resistance, and cosmetic appeal!

ALH Rail Coatings Limited is jointly owned by GrantRail Limited and Hyperlast Limited.

Details available from: Hyperlast Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)1663 746518; Fax: +44(0)1663 746605.