Pandrol is a world leader in rail infrastructure for metro applications. With Constellium Group, our combined expertise creates an exciting joint venture: ‘Railtech Alu-Singen (RAS)’. RAS technology sees the aluminium and stainless steel conductor rail made with coextrusion process, creating a long lasting and reliable material that’s a game-changer in the development and manufacture of complete composite conductor rail systems solutions.
This revolutionary method delivers the highest levels of reliability and safety on the market, with no delamination (separation of the combined metals) and – because it works down to 0 mm – no need to monitor the thickness of the stainless steel.
Pandrol’s third rail solutions are specifically designed with consideration of rolling stock, track works, power supply and civil works interfaces in mind, which means they can be adapted to work on all track types. The Pandrol team has extensive across-the-board experience and offers a comprehensive RAS support service, from product engineering and design, through to proof of concept testing, system design, installation supervision and bespoke training.
The current collector shoe touches the third rail system from underneath. The third rail system is fully covered by insulating material.
The current collector shoe touches the third rail system from the top. The third rail system is generally covered by insulating material, leaving an access for train's current collector shoes.
The current collector shoe touches the third rail system from the side.
Coextruded rail combining aluminium & stainless steel
A pair of aluminium extruded splices (plates) fixed to the web of the conductor rail using a bolting connection
Used to evenly engage and disengage the train current collector shoe during transitions
Manufactured in a glass reinforced polyester, designed to insulate the third rail system and withstand mechanical stresses
Designed to control the expansions and contractions of the third rail system, caused by temperature variation
Designed to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the third rail system, due to ambient temperature variation and heat rise
Fixed to the web of the conductor rail by means a bolting connection
Designed to split (insulate) two electrical sections of third rail system
Fastened to the conductor rail to minimise the risk of electrical shock due to accidental contact with the conductor rail and to provide protection against debris