FOR SUPERIOR PERFORMING TRACK, CONRAIL CHOOSES NARSTCO STEEL

“Conrail has been purchasing steel ties and turnouts from NARSTCO for the past 10 years, and we have been extremely pleased with the results,” says Conrail Assistant Vice President Engineering and Mechanical Eric Levin. “With proper surface maintenance, these steel ties can withstand the heaviest traffic areas. Conrail has had measurable success in every location NARSTCO steel ties have been installed.”



Historically, wood has been the rail industry’s go-to material for ties, for main line, yard and turnout (switch tie) applications. However, rising disposal costs and concerns about product durability and creosote’s environmental impact have led Conrail’s team to seek alternatives. The railroad is not alone, as more Class I’s, short lines, regionals and industrial rail yards are shifting their project specifications to NARSTCO steel ties and turnouts.



“We’re seeing a greater increase in the use of steel ties throughout the rail industry today,” says NARSTCO Senior Director of Sales and Marketing Matt Violin. “Steel is easier, faster and less expensive to install and maintain, and lasts longer than other materials. These are key benefits for our customers that help improve operational efficiency.”

Steel ties are also recyclable and call for less ballast, up to 40% less compared to wood ties. And, steel ties can last longer, as evidenced by ties installed more than 50 years ago that are still in service.



For Conrail, the adoption of steel continues as existing wood ties and turnouts are removed. Conrail’s Stoney Creek Yard in Chester, Pa., required the replacement of custom aging wood turnouts to upgrade the track. Upon receipt of site surveys and field measurements, NARSTCO’s engineering team designed four custom steel turnout sets matching the existing infrastructure.

For Conrail’s Mound Road Yard in Detroit, a similar procedure was followed, where two custom turnouts provided a high-quality installation without the necessity of field modifications or additional installation time. Three steel turnouts will also be installed at Conrail’s Doremus Yard in the Philadelphia area.



NARSTCO is providing on-site support for crews constructing these materials at Norfolk Southern’s Roanoke Turnout Panel Facility.



With a return on investment that can exceed wood, concrete and composite, NARSTCO steel ties and turnout sets have been used in a variety of industries, from public transit to city ports to petrochemical sites to agricultural complexes and everywhere in between.

Steel delivers a wide range of benefits including:

• Simpler and quicker assembly and installation.
• Maintain track gauges and furnish ease of transposing throughout curves.
• Can be interspersed with wood ties to strengthen track structure.
• Design allows for ballast depth to achieve same load-bearing capabilities.
• Less expensive to transport and easier to handle.
• Minimal maintenance requirements.
• Extend the life of frogs, points and other track components.
• Fewer ties required for any length of track.
• Maximum strength, durability and support.
• Resistant to damage, corrosion and deterioration.

NARSTCO’s Midlothian and Cedar Hill, Tex., manufacturing facilities provide short lead times for ties and turnouts. This yields an added advantage for customers. “The team at NARSTCO is accurate and thorough with material orders and follow-up to make sure we are completely satisfied,” says Conrail’s Levin.

Since 1996, NARSTCO has stood apart as the name in steel railroad ties, distinguishing itself not just on the quality of its products but also on the caliber of its service. For more information about what NARSTCO can do for your rail operation, please visit www.NARSTCO.com.

The post FOR SUPERIOR PERFORMING TRACK, CONRAIL CHOOSES NARSTCO STEEL appeared first on Railway Age.

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