Switcher will transport the “prestressed” double slip turnout
The Rkpd 60E1-190-1:9 double slip turnout on prestressed concrete turnout sleeper, manufactured by KZN “Bieżanów”, was accepted by PKP PLK. The innovative device is now ready for transport in blocks with the use of the Switcher system, to the Świdnik testing grounds.
On 13 October, the representatives of the railway management authority, together with the quality control officers from KZN “Bieżanów”, completed the acceptance of the double slip turnout on prestressed sleepers. The new device is the result of PKP PLK’s effort to increase the travel speed on slip turnouts (120 km/h), and markedly improve the operation and maintenance parameters. Therefore, PLK invited the turnout manufacturers to create a testing ground in Świdnik. The invitation was accepted by all manufacturers who have their plants in Poland. “Our turnout underwent acceptance as the last one, but this was due only to the schedule of the contractor’s works on Świdnik station. Unlike our competitors, we applied insert-type single slip turnouts and double slip turnouts from bainitic cast steel, made using our proprietary technology. We were the only ones to equip our turnout with facing point locks integrated with our proprietary steel turnout sleeper,” emphasises Jacek Paś, Board Member and Technology & Development Director at KZN “Bieżanów”. “Obviously, in terms of the steel part of the turnout surface, we are the only manufacturer to supply a completely remodelled and comprehensive product,” points out Mr. Paś.
But the best part is that KZN “Bieżanów” is able to deliver the turnout in blocks, using the Switcher system. Two blocks of single crossing plates will be delivered to Świdnik on a specialised platform train car equipped with cranes (Switcher+) to load and unload the device, and the middle section was delivered on the train car with extended platforms (Switcher). Currently, standard block transport of such large and heavy turnout in Poland and in Europe is only possible with KZN’s proprietary technology. The transport and unloading on the incorporation site (Świdnik railway station) was planned for the beginning of November. “This is an optimal solution both for the railway management authority and for the contractor. The former will receive the highest initial quality, identical to that shown during factory acceptances. The latter, on the other hand, will receive a complete, ready-to-install turnout, which will reduce time and eliminate any potential errors and inaccuracies during incorporation,” says Magdalena Kamińska, Head of the Research & Development Office at KZN “Bieżanów”. “After the official presentation of the system at the September TRAKO fair, we waited with the actual track debut of the system for such a spectacular turnout structure, which will show the true potential of our system. Let me just remind you the parameters of the middle section of the structure – 31.5 tons of weight, 20.1 metres length and 3.7 metres of maximum width.”
The turnouts provided by other manufacturers to the Świdnik testing grounds were delivered in parts, disassembled immediately after the factory acceptance. The reassembly of the elements on the storage yard will take several dozen hours, i.e. around one working week. Then, the complete turnouts will be transported to the incorporation site with a special crane. By using the Switcher train cars, KZN should be able to reduce the incorporation time at least fourt times, while the initial quality will be decidedly higher, which should be clearly visible during the controlled operation on the testing grounds. “One of our principles is to inform the market of our achievements, showing solid, verifiable factors that confirm our advantage. The Rkpd 60E1-190-1:9 ssb-S project conforms to that principle perfectly,” says Ryszard Leszczyński, Chairman of the Board of KZN “Bieżanów”. “We are offering an advanced turnout structure with innovative elements – proprietary facing point locks and bainitic crossing plates, which, combined with the innovative logistics and incorporation technology based on the Switcher train cars, will enable a quality leap for the methodology of turnout incorporation on Polish railways,” adds the Chairman of the company and KZN Bieżanów group.
