Shijiazhuang to Taiyuan (S-T) PDL

Construction of the new Passenger Dedicated Link (PDL) from Shijiazhuang to Taiyuan began in 2005.  This PDL has been designed for an initial operating speed of 250km/h, which will be increased to 300km/hr after some years’ operation.  Unusually for a PDL, some freight traffic will also be allowed on the line, and it has a maximum allowable axle load of 25 tonnes.

The line has a total route length of 189.93km.  This is comprised of 76km of plain tracks, 39km of bridges, and 75km of tunnels.  The ballasted tracks are equipped throughout with PANDROL FASTCLIP rail fastenings.

The PANDROL Offset SFC (Single FASTCLIP) baseplate system is used throughout the tunnel sections.  These baseplates, incorporating the FASTCLIP fastening, feature lateral adjustment of up to ±12mm, and vertical adjustment of +30/-2mm, which makes it an ideal product for slab track where the speed and ease of installation and alignment, both in the initial construction and subsequent realignment, is critical.

Hefei to Wuhan (H-W PDL)

A further new PDL line, linking Hefei to Wuhan, has been constructed, with a total route length of 356km. 

There are four main tunnels in this PDL, Dabieshan Tunnel (13.256km); Jinzhai Tunnel (10.7km); Hongshiyan Tunnel (7.857km) and Hongshigen Tunnel (5.108km).  Pandrol In-line SFC fastenings were selected to be installed in the tunnels in this project, once again selected for the lateral (up to ±12mm) and vertical (+30/-0mm) adjustment the offered.

The difference between Pandrol Offset SFC and In-line SFC relates to the bolt positions - Offset SFC baseplates are designed for slab track applications where a lightweight baseplate is required.  In-Line SFC Baseplates are designed for use on Concrete sleepers embedded in slab track, such as the Rheda 2000 system, where anchor bolts must be ‘In Line’ to avoid the steel reinforcement. 

As with the S-T PDL, the initial line speed with be 250km/hr, increasing to 300km/hr, with a maximum axle load of 25 tonnes.