Track/Infrastructure: efficiency all the way

French infra companies are not only track-component manufacturers, but also infrastructure builders and tracklayers. In particular, they have also acquired a well-earned reputation as designers of systems tailored to the needs of high-speed trains, and as such they provide an ideal shop-window for French railway technological excellence worldwide.

Track/Infrastructure: the demand for speed

Whether in terms of research, tracklaying, design or manufacture, the efforts of track industries are constantly directed at improving the performance of railway track, bearing in mind that quality is of the essence if only because the track itself necessarily deteriorates due to constant pounding by passing trains and to heavy axle-loads (mainly freight trains). Track technologies are complex as each component has its own specific characteristics, in addition to requiring cutting-edge technical know-how made all the more necessary when dealing with high speeds. Systems tailored to high speed trains (see page dedicated to rolling stock and integrators) impose technical characteristics that are more constraining in terms of safety, reliability and wear-and-tear management. Track industries are major exporters by virtue of their expertise in the high-speed field. In this regard nothing better illustrates the French success story than the new world rail speed record of 574.8 km/h posted by TGV trainset V150 on 3 April 2007, made possible to no small degree by the quality of the track specially-prepared for the purpose.

Track/Infrastructure: innovations ahead of their time

Innovation is the key to faster progress, hence the constant efforts deployed to improve track components and track-laying techniques.
As track resistance increases, likewise train speeds can be raised in all safety. To this end, French companies have successfully devised innovative solutions including MHH-grade steels highly resistant to very heavy traffic loads, or switch diamonds for trains worked at 300 km/h.

Rapid track installation translates into major time gains and cost savings. Grouping members, whether involved in track-laying or track-renovation activities, are accustomed to working to tight schedules through deployment of high-performance innovative solutions. These particularly include slab track and Fastclip resilient fasteners, but also direct in-track electric welding that guarantees speed of action, reliability and robustness. Last but not least, longer-length rails have been developed (in excess of 100 meters) to provide for faster and therefore more cost-effective, rail-laying. Track monitoring ensures safety and quality of deployment, which explains why trackworking equipment is just as vital. Hence the policy of systematic modernization of the fleet of tamping, leveling, ballast-ploughing and other machines on a regular basis. The technologies involved have played no little part in the world rail speed record set on the Eastern HSL on 3 April 2007.
Infrastructure industries, through their close involvement in the renaissance of tramways in France, have also contributed to solving urban congestion problems for over two decades. Specifically-developed state-of-the-art components and procedures are designed to ensure optimum integration into the urban environment and compatibility with the conventional rail network (tram-trains) across national borders.

Lastly the infrastructure grouping is very much involved in designing freight-dedicated track for 25 to 35t axle-loads and capable of handling 10 to 20 000 t unit-trains. This type of high-performance track is found in North America as well as on ore and coal lines operated in South Africa, Australia, Brazil or Mauretania.