Our Projects

Some of Our Successfully Completed Projects:

RTS Rail Delivery and Recovery Set

The RTS set is a train used for delivering 110 m lengths of rail to re-railing and rail construction sites and for the recovery of part worn rail for re-use. The set was designed to eliminate the manual handling associated with traditional rail sets and to allow rail to be positioned precisely in the tight spaces found in modern urban rail networks without risk of damage to the rail and to trackside infrastructure. Lochiel took this project from untested prototype to safe and reliable revenue service. Our initial assessment and subsequent testing showed that numerous modifications had to be completed to get to this stage. Lochiel completed the design and certification of these modifications and executed the installation with the aid of railway staff and contractors. We also provided engineering supervision during testing, which, due to railway operational requirements, was mostly completed in at night in inner city suburban areas.

The rail manipulator guides the rail onto the wagon while the train moves back. Lochiel installed a more robust height limiting system to the chute arms to allow the system to operate under 25 000 V live overhead electrical equipment.

To unload the rail, the manipulator pushes the rail off the back of the train as the train moves forward. Lochiel designed new bridge rails to allow the manipulator to travel between wagons and a derailment protection system to mechanically retain the manipulator on the wagons if, for any reason, it derailed

RD Rail Delivery Set

The RD set is another, more basic rail set that combines the simplicity of a traditional rail set with the benefits of hydraulically operated clamps to retain the rail, and roller gates to support it during track travel and unloading. Again, this set was taken from untested prototype to revenue service, with numerous modifications completed along the way.

The RD set is unloaded by drawing the rails off the end using a wheeled rail handler and then moving the train forward. Lochiel identified the need to restrain the rails in a vertical position to prevent the tendency for the rail to bend about the least stiff axis and roll onto its side and causing damage to the rail and to the train. We also fitted the canopy to protect operators from electrical equipment while attaching the drag clamps, and many other modifications to ensure the ease of operation, reliability, and maintainability.

Resurfacing Machine Coupled Consists

Traditionally, resurfacing machines travelled to worksites in uncoupled consist, relying on operator vigilance to avoid collision between machines. This also carries the risk of collision at level crossings, where road users see the first machine cross and don’t notice the following machines. Some railways attached their machines together for track travel, but this still relies on constant operator communication to ensure brakes are applied in the consist in an emergency stop situation. Lochiel designed and installed a system where machines could be attached, and the lead operator has control of the service and emergency brakes in the consist. The system works with machines made by different manufacturers with differing brake systems. This has allowed railways to extend the safe service life of existing machines and to delay the purchase of new consists specially designed to be coupled.

A tamper and regulator travel to a worksite in coupled consist.

The system works with different manufacturer’s machines in the consist.