Turnouts play a crucial role in rail infrastructure and are conceived and produced according to the highest quality and safety standards. The requirements placed on our turnouts are very different - our solutions always are optimally tailored to customer specific needs. In our capacity as world market leader, we have a decade of experience as well as profound know-how in the design and construction of complete solutions in all models and for all track ranks. We profit from this knowledge which constantly guarantees our further development so that we will always be capable of presenting innovative solutions to our customers. A turnout system made by voestalpine combines the product with the service, and thus ensures value can sustainably be created for the customer. We stand for competence, modern technologies and progress, as well as the constant availability of our turnout systems. The initial servicing of turnouts has been developed to decisively increase the quality of our systems and thus also the availability as well as the life cycle of the facilities. These activities are made up of four service levels that are optimally aligned one to another and thus also help to reduce costs substantially. Most of our activities in the course of initial servicing of turnouts can be performed while the track remains in operation.
Visual Check
The initial service level in the course of first maintenance service of turnouts consists of a visual check of the position of the turnout. At this check, the following items that will be assessed: the correct switch attachment on the stock rail, the height and direction of the turnout, the position of the sleepers and anti creeper as well as possible damage. At this service level, changes in the position, as compared to the condition before commissioning, can be determined. Prolonging maintenance intervals If the correct position and perfect function of all components are ensured at the beginning of the product life cycle, this will demonstrably extend the maintenance intervals and the overall life cycle of the turnout. Major dynamic loads acting on the vehicle and turnout will be avoided while the life cycle will be increased and the life cycle costs (LCC) will be reduced substantially.
Processing/maintenance by way of grinding
First train passing will intensify work hardening, which will lead to metal flows in the area of the switch device and the crossing. These laps will occur on the stock rail and the crossing as well as in the area of the point of the switch. If they are not removed, this will, within an extremely short time, lead to break-outs or cracks on the components, which will make it necessary to replace components or conduct repair welding more quickly. In order to avoid such break-outs and the commensurate malfunctions, these laps will be de-burred on all the turnouts or components newly installed - especially all switch devices, stock rails and crossing areas - in the course of the second phase.
Adjustment of the track as well as of the setting, locking and end position detection systems
In the course of the third service level, the track as well as the setting, locking and end position detection systems will be checked and adjusted. As for the track, first maintenance service of turnouts mainly refers to roller systems, correction of the switch attachment, inspection and maintenance of the insulated joints as well as the correct position of the fastening material. The settings of the locking, setting and end position detection systems will be checked and precisely adjusted again. Additionally gauges and switch flangeway will be measured again and subjected to an inspection because shifts can be caused by installation - or the tamping process and the first passings of trains. Geometric inspections are mainly important after processing by way of grinding. If the measuring values show deviations or nonconformities during the third service level, these deviations or nonconformities will be corrected and regulated immediately.
Ensuring availability – Maximizing the life cycle
By ensuring the correct switch position and by optimal adjustment of the roller system the setting forces are reduced to a minimum. All the adjustment work will guarantee preservation of the correct wheel-rail contact as well as a higher initial quality of your turnout system, including all the advantage mentioned above, such as extension of the maintenance intervals, avoidance of malfunctions and increase of availability of the system