the rail engineer • November 2013
53
In addition, the groove could be widened towards the midpoint of the sleeper to accommodate fixings with impedance bonds. It was considered that, in order to meet the performance requirements, only a pre-stressed concrete mono-bloc sleeper with a central cable groove would be acceptable. The method of design and manufacture matched that of existing sleeper and bearer designs. Also, the requirement for an inclined and vertical rail seat version was identified to match the soffit depth of adjacent sleepers (EG47) or bearers (001E). The fastening method would also match the adjacent sleeper or bearers, using either Fastclips or traditional Pandrol e-clips. Consideration was also given to accommodating the new Pandrol Fastclip FE.
Product Approval In conjunction with the design development and testing, the new products were put through product approval within Network Rail. As part of this process, the prototype product was dynamically tested under the full axle load with 2 million cycles to check durability. As with other new products, there was also a requirement to provide risk assessments, operation and maintenance manuals and prove compliance with standards and the original performance specification written for the cable management sleeper. Once all this was finished, the Thameslink programme could start installing the new cable management sleepers, and making that handy £2.4 million saving. Matt Draper is senior project engineer - track, London Bridge Area Partnership, Network Rail.
PRE-STRESSED CONCRETE MONOBLOCK SLEEPER WITH GROOVE FOR SIGNALLING / POWER CABLES Network Rail Approved: • The EG53 can accommodate a cable of diameter up to 60mm.
For use with: • BS113A or CEN60E1 rail. • Pandrol “FASTCLIP” fastening.
Manufactured in accordance with: • Network Rail specification NR/SP/TRK/030. • CEMEX Quality Control System to ISO 9001:2008.
Nominal Maximum Weight:* • 330kg + 6kg for loose fastening components.
Cemex Rail Solutions produce a full range of concrete sleepers and crossing bearers and our new product catalogue is now available.
For more information please call the Rail Products Team on 0121 327 0844 or email andrew.carey@cemex.com
www.cemex.com