GRP – The Future of Rail Infrastructure

GRP is fast becoming the go-to option for rail companies across the UK and for many good reasons. Chester-based company, Engineered Composites explains why

Firstly, we should explain what GRP is – GRP stands for glass reinforced plastic – a unique blend of recycled plastic and glass combined with a complex resin that’s built to last.

Due to GRP’s weather and corrosive resistant make up, GRP is lighter and a more maneuverable product when compared to steel and aluminum. GRP has been welcomed in the Rail sector and is helping the industry become a safer place for both staff and commuters alike.

GRP products are ideal for a number of uses including railway platform surfaces, pedestrian bridges, railway ramps, and gated access steps. More of which later. But just how does GRP stack up against the more traditional steel we see across rail platforms…see for yourself overfleaf.

The rail industry is taking steps to modernise and GRP is playing a huge part in that renovation and rebuild of the UK’s railways. If you’re a planner or buyer in Rail, these are the products that are being installed up and down the country right now that are helping make huge cost savings and providing unsurpassed structural longevity.

Handrails are an essential part of railway infrastructure for the safety and protection of passengers. The ergonomic design of both GRP Modular and GRP Standard Handrails makes them a particular choice compared to traditional materials. GRP Handrails are commonly installed and used for rail walkways, platform handrails, and stairways. GRP Handrails offer a multitude of benefits and provide unrivaled sturdiness and robustness with little maintenance required. All Handrails supplied to meet the requirements of BS4592:0 2006+A1 2012 and can be specifically built to meet rail organisations bespoke requirements.

Another high-quality product that supplies and delivers for rail infrastructure is GRP Fencing. Predominantly, fencing for rail infrastructure is used for platform gates, railway fences, and also to protect dangerous areas. Our high-quality GRP fencing solutions meet all security requirements and can be manufactured to any size of panel required for an extremely flexible solution. All fencing is independently tested & comply with the requirements for BS 1722-12:2016.

Gavin Williams, Managing Director, Engineered Composites Ltd says: ‘Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP), otherwise known as Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP), offers rail infrastructure many advantages over metallic alternatives, especially when compared with steel equivalents. Benefits, such as high tensile strength, low weight (approximately 1/4 of the weight of steel), corrosion resistant, nonconductive properties, radar transparent and electromagnetically neutral, combine to deliver a highly cost effective, durable and sustainable product that we’re delighted to supply to rail companies across the United Kingdom.’

GRP Pultruded Profiles have been carefully designed and specifically manufactured to be suitable for all rail industrial and commercial environments. Typical installation scenarios for railways include access platform walkways, pedestrian bridges, steps, and walkways.

For rail infrastructure, GRP anti-slip products are essential for the safety and protection of passengers when waiting for their train to arrive at the platform. GRP anti-slip products are generally installed close to the platform to prevent slipping and falling when passengers are making their way onto the train. All anti-slip products supplied and delivered by Engineered Composites are rigorously tested and meet all relevant health and safety standards. Our anti-slip products include Stair Tread Covers, Decking Strips, Gritted Sheets, and more.

Moulded gratings are used in cohesion with a lot of anti-slip products for the protection of passengers. There are many uses that moulded gratings can be used for in rail, including structural components, flooring applications, walkways, industrial areas, and more.

In summary the rail industry faces many challenges – though there is a strong opinion that the solution to many of Rail’s inevitable infrastructure changes – is GRP.

If you would like to speak with a member of our team, the UK’s leading stockist of GRP products, to see how GRP can benefit your next project, please feel free to get in touch with our rail specialist team.

Tel: +44 (0)1244 676 000

Email: info@engineered-composites.co.uk

Visit: engineered-composites.co.uk/rail-grp-products/

Address: Engineered Composites Ltd Unit B4, Borders 2 Industrial Park River Lane, Saltney, Chester Cheshire CH4 8RJ