Urban & TransitNorwayDelivering Smoother, Quieter Light Rail Through Advanced Rail Welding
Number of weld kits
0.
Customer challenge
Bergen Light Rail in Norway is a 21km light rail system with 27 stations. It began operation in 2010 and carries up to 60,000 passengers each day. The system is standard gauge, with platforms built to accommodate 44-meter long trams.
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway and the light rail system has become an increasingly important means of travel for the growing population, offering a reliable, quick and environmentally-friendly alternative to cars and buses.
Keen to make its light rail the transport system of choice for the people of the city, Bergen Municipality was looking for an aluminothermic welding solution for the rail joints that would ensure maximum comfort and minimum noise.
Pandrol Solution
01
Pandrol won the contract to supply 3,000 aluminothermic welding kits with related tools and small track machines to create continuous welds for the Bergen light rail system.
Aluminothermic welding involves casting molten steel (produced through the reaction of iron oxide and aluminum) at a temperature exceeding 3,500°F into refractory molds designed to the rail specification. Pandrol’s aluminothermic welding kits include portions, molds and crucibles.
02
Working closely with contractor Steconfer, we provided full, end-to-end technical support for the welding project. Our Engineers worked together with Steconfer experienced welders on site, before moving to virtual brush up training.
The Pandrol team shared its on track know-how with local weld controllers, non-destructive test controllers and administration.
The results
The project is due to be completed in 2022. The Pandrol welds installed so far are providing a more comfortable, quieter ride for passengers and Bergen Municipality is delighted with the product’s quality.
Despite having to move online, the training proved extremely successful. As well as learning specific techniques needed when using the Pandrol welding kits, the local welders improved their general skills and gained certification at the end of the training.
Overall, this project is a fantastic example of the benefits to be gained from drawing on the full range of Pandrol expertise – from product through to technical support and training – to secure successful delivery and high-quality outcomes.
Aluminothermic welding
Pandrol's aluminothermic welding products provide everything needed to join and repair rail safely, from various welding processes to manual and semi-automatic welding related equipment and digital tools such as i+connect. Our aluminothermic welding products and solutions are built on decades of welding expertise trusted by rail networks worldwide.
Ultrasonic rail testing
Ultrasonic testing equipment uses high-pitched waves to scan rail and welds for internal flaws, testing the head, web and foot for a complete picture of condition. We offer two walk-behind manual versions, one walking stick for verification on one rail at a time, and a trolley that will span over the rails of the track. Both come with an easy-to-use software for analysing any defects efficiently.
Aluminothermic welding
Pandrol's aluminothermic welding products provide everything needed to join and repair rail safely, from various welding processes to manual and semi-automatic welding related equipment and digital tools such as i+connect. Our aluminothermic welding products and solutions are built on decades of welding expertise trusted by rail networks worldwide.
Ultrasonic rail testing
Ultrasonic testing equipment uses high-pitched waves to scan rail and welds for internal flaws, testing the head, web and foot for a complete picture of condition. We offer two walk-behind manual versions, one walking stick for verification on one rail at a time, and a trolley that will span over the rails of the track. Both come with an easy-to-use software for analysing any defects efficiently.