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Trafikverket selects the latest generation Pandrol fastening system

Pandrol’s Fastclip FE fastening system has been chosen as the preferred fastening for Trafikverket’s 20-year framework agreement with Swedish producers of concrete sleepers.

The Fastclip FE fastening system was recently approved for Trafikverket’s 20-year framework agreement with Swedish producers of concrete sleepers Strangbetong Rail AB and Abetong AB. Trafikverket (TRV) carried out a national procurement exercise to source pre-assembled fastening systems and under sleeper pads for Sweden’s railways involving around 400,000 sleepers per year over the term of the contract.

The Fastclip FE System is the latest evolution of elastic rail fastening. The development of the FE system responds to commercial pressures to continually drive down costs within the railway industry and achieves significant overall cost savings for railway operators and infrastructure contractors, without any compromise to the performance of the assembly. The design reduces the working profile of the system whilst enhancing performance and functionality.

The Fastclip FE System is designed as a complete system in which all components are delivered to site pre-assembled on the concrete sleeper. Once the sleepers are laid and the rail installed, the clip is simply pushed onto the rail by means of a simple drive action. This switch-on switch- off capability encourages mechanisation of the installation and extraction processes for both renewals and maintenance. Pandrol’s Clip Driver machines, such as the Rosenqvist CD500 provide accelerated installation capability of up to 70 sleepers per minute.

Pandrol has also been successful in being selected as a supplier of under sleeper pads on this tender exercise for 35 tonne axle loads. The under sleeper pads are tailor-made resilient systems designed to reduce track maintenance, increase the quality of the track by fixing elastic elements to the bottom surface of the sleepers. These under sleeper pads are proven to reduce rail corrugation, and ballast degradation, especially in tight radius curves, extending the grinding interval by at least a factor of two.

Wayne Peacock, Managing Director in the EMEA region, said;

“We are delighted to have secured this contract. We have a long history of working with Trafikverket and the Pandrol team placed customer focus at the heart of its efforts, engaging positively with the sleeper makers to build alliances. Our bid was built on a recognition of TRV’s environmental goals and will deliver value for money, sustained product quality, and a high level of product support to demonstrate that Pandrol continues to be the best choice of fastening supplier.”

We have a 50 year history of working with Trafikverket and the Pandrol team placed customer focus at the heart of its efforts engaging positively with the sleeper makers to build alliances. Our bid was built on a recognition of TRV’s environmental goals and will deliver value for money, sustained product quality and a high level of product support to the customer. The FE System has undergone extensive testing in Pandrol’s laboratory in accordance with CEN standards. Safety is paramount in the design and manufacture of Pandrol products.

Many other countries across the world are also switching to Fastclip FE. London Underground adopted Fastclip FE and it has introduced major efficiencies, meaning the track can be installed much more quickly and cost effectively.