Track construction

Railway track engineering and design
The two rails of a track cannot be laid directly on the ground and require certain key components to support the heavy loads of the trains that are moving at a speed. The two rails also need to be laid at a prescribed distance to enable the wheels of the train to move safely over them. The main components and design elements of a railway track include:

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  Steel rails that provide a surface for movement of the train
  
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  Railway sleepers that support the rails and absorb vibrations
  
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  Railway fish plates and fish bolts used to connect the ends of two steel rails
  
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  Rail fastening systems used to fasten the steel rails to the railway sleepers
  
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  Ballast (broken stone) packed below the sleepers
  
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  Subgrade and embankment are the formation below the ballast
  
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  Railway switch used for converting track
  

Railway tracks can also be ballast-less, known as slab track systems that offer more stability and enable faster construction. Slab track is mostly used for high-speed railway, heavy rail, and light rail systems.

Railway slab track construction, pros and cons
A slab track consists of precast reinforced concrete (RC) slab, which transfers the load to the subgrade. The steel rails are fastened to the concrete slab or to another slab system on the concrete slab. Slab track systems require less maintenance, offer high performance and durability, reduce noise and vibration and provide increased comfort for passengers.
Slab tracks, however, have a few disadvantages in terms of the high initial investment costs. The track also lacks the possibility for improvement and cannot be laid in areas that are prone to earthquakes or have soft dirt roads.

For the tracks of today; for the Strong Rail of tomorrow.

With their many years of experience and extensive qualifications, our teams make the tracks of tomorrow. Successful construction work and satisfied customers are at the heart of our actions. ​
How are our robust and reliable tracks made? In all situations, our experienced teams use their specialist knowledge and commitment to deliver their best when it comes to trackwork and the permanent way. To ensure the Strong Rail is a success. ​
In the Track Service Unit, our reliable, expert and successful teams are synonymous with the strength and power of DB Bahnbau Gruppe GmbH. We provide services of the utmost quality. From production to maintenance, right up to the refurbishment of railroad installations, we offer the following services:​

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  New construction, renewal, and maintenance of tracks and switches ​
  
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  Rail replacement​
  
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  Expansion joints​
  
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  Bridge ties
  
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  Concrete slab track
  

We also offer construction services in trackside civil and underground engineering projects. For example, the production or refurbishment of: ​

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  Railroad crossings ​
  
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  Platform facilities ​
  
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  Drainage systems ​
  
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  Paving
  
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  Subgrade improvements
  

Our tracks are crafted by professionals – something we are very proud of. ​We use some of the most state-of-the-art machine technology in Europe to tackle our tasks.