During the last year and a half CVRD has been grappling with the problem of what material to use to replace its wood sleepers. Wood could not be used again due to CVRD's ISO 14000 status and requests by its key clients not to cut down trees for sleepers. Both concrete and steel were considered, having regard to the technical and economic merits of both products.

After deciding on steel, CVRD had to choose the fastening system. Based on its experience of it, and IAT's 29 years supply record to CVRD, the patented DE system from IAT was the preferred option. The technical and financial backing of the Pandrol-Delachaux Group was an additional factor.

The contract, over 24 months, is for a minimum of 830k steel sleeper sets and is the largest contract CVRD has awarded for fastening systems. CVRD plans to switch, as soon as the new DE-VS is approved on track, which is likely within 2006.