JD Rail Solutions Pty Ltd, a manufacturer of unique rail solutions, are pleased to announce the introduction of their newly patented product SmartTrack® which removes the need for troublesome ballast on railway lines. This product will prevent the formation of mud holes which lead to track failure, helping to improve track safety and reduce maintenance costs.
SmartTrack is a support block for sleepers. The sleepers sit inside the blocks which are then anchored to the ground with lock down pins, preventing the system from moving under severe weather, including flash floods. The support blocks control the flow of rain and floodwater by allowing water to pass through them, current ballasted tracks only allow 12% of water through when laid, which decreases over time.
SmartTrack is also designed for bridges, reducing bridge weight by 30-50% by removing the need for ballast and also offering vibration and shock reduction. It can also be used as a more cost effective alternative to regular ballasted tracks on all railway lines across the country.
The product is fully insulated and can be installed quicker than conventional ballasted railway lines. In addition, this design offers up to 20 years of significantly reduced maintenance costs compared to regular ballasted tracks and vastly improved rail support, stopping sleepers twisting and reducing rail fatigue and cracking. Jim Hughes, Managing Director of JD Rail Solutions and creator of this unique product said: “We believe this Australian designed and manufactured support blocks will give a complete solution to the floodplain problem.”
The product is expected to be tested over the next few weeks by The University of Wollongong, who have done similar tests on the life expectancy of rail sleepers. Mr Hughes added: “We are delighted that the universities are taking our floodplain concept seriously.”
This product will mean that speed restrictions in poor drainage or floodplain areas will be a thing of the past. It will allow mining companies and passenger trains to maintain efficiency on their railway line at all times, improving productivity of the mine and improving service to passengers. This means more trains can operate on lines where SmartTrack has been fitted, which will significantly improve profits. Combine this with the $200,000 of maintenance costs you save for every kilometre of ballast replaced and this proves to be a very cost effective alternative.
JD Rail Solutions are currently welcoming interest from companies with a need for SmartTrack. An open day will be held in the next few weeks at JD Rail’s place of business, which demonstrates a working model of the product and offers interested parties the opportunity to ask technical questions. To register your interest in attending the open day, or to request more information about SmartTrack please email info@jdrail.com.au.
JD Rail Solutions are a small family run business committed to providing innovative, safe and reliable rail solutions for the global railway sector. In addition to SmartTrack they also manufacture and sell their AdvanBridge® Level Crossings, suitable for all types of traffic from pedestrian to 500 tonne mining purposes.
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