TRIALS with a rail milling train suggest that the technique may have an assured future. Operated by German maintenance contractor Schweerbau, the prototype train was developed by Austrian machine tool specialist Linsinger Maschinenbau which exhibited at the VDEI event for the first time this year.
According to Linsinger’s Prok Ing Walter Neubauer, the machine’s output was recently compared with that of a conventional grinding train, and the results were of similar quality.
The train began tests about two years ago, and further development has continued. Indications are that milling the rail surface is effective at reducing rail noise, to the point where German Railway considers, in Neubauer’s view, that use of the technique could even lead to the elimination of sound barriers.
The train has three groups of two rail treatment tools driven by variable speed motors. One group is a rough milling unit, the second is a smoothing unit and the third is a polisher. The three sets of tools can be programmed to make fine adjustments to the rail profile, which is calculated from a comparison between the desired profile and rail measurements taken ahead of the leading bogie. Cutting depths of 5mm and more are possible, allowing deep corrugations to be eliminated in a single pass.
Neubauer said that the milling unit does not generate sparks, and all swarf is collected immediately behind the tools for subsequent disposal.
Linsinger Maschinenbau, Austria
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