They date back to the early 1820s but only arrived in Italy in the 1960s: we are talking about the first railway tracks that revolutionized the global production system. Over time, the construction of railway tracks and trains themselves has become an activity characterized by the need to meet high standards of efficiency and productivity.
For this reason, thanks to cutting-edge engineering studies and the use of suitable railway fasteners, railway infrastructures have become increasingly reliable and safe, as have the means of transport, which are more modern, fast, and light. Therefore, innovative developments and specific materials are the basis of a railway sector that must meet high standards of quality and safety.
But how are railway tracks built, and what are the most commonly used fastening and bolting elements? Let's find out together.
What are the main elements of a railway line?
The activities of the railway sector, which require the use of fasteners, are divided into two main areas:
Construction of the means of locomotion itself;
Construction of the infrastructure, i.e., the railway line.
Both activities are carried out following consolidated mechanisms and using suitable materials aimed at ensuring the safety and efficiency of the final results. Among the components most widely used in these works are high-strength products belonging to steel classes 8.8, 10.9, and 12.9.
Generally, the fastening items intended for the railway sector undergo treatments such as:
White zinc plating;
Hot-dip galvanizing;
Geomet coating.
Such treatments are not applied to all items since not all material classes support them. The processes are therefore evaluated and carried out considering all the variables related to the production of components for railway vehicles and the construction of railway tracks.
Each activity, therefore, is characterized by its specifics. For example, the main elements of a railway line, different from those of vehicles, are:
Railway sleeper
Train rails Tracks
Profiles Railway signaling
Electrical systems Sensors, etc.
In the case of the means of locomotion themselves, the use of suitable fasteners concerns every component:
Power unit
Body
Bogie
Interiors
In these latter uses, the fasteners must meet specific characteristics to ensure rapid accessibility and maintenance, high resistance to corrosion and vibrations, as well as significant resistance to extreme thermal excursions and daily stresses.
Construction of railway tracks and trains: which bolts
The products used for the construction of both railway lines and trains are many and varied, used in numerous different applications. Among these are, for example:
The various railway fastening items are therefore selected from time to time, based on the needs of the customer and/or those indicated by the construction management.
Characteristics and regulations of railway fasteners
Both infrastructural works and those related to means of locomotion must be carried out to ensure high-performance and safe results. In addition to choosing the correct railway fasteners, it is advisable to always turn to specialized suppliers capable of providing certified products.
Among the most requested certifications in this sector is, for example, certification 3.1, which regulates the various mandatory documentation for the manufacturer.
Companies carrying out the construction of the infrastructures can also request some guarantees from the supplying companies, such as the ISO 9001 certification, aimed at attesting to the conformity of the company's processes.
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