Switch stands and switch machines are an integral part of railroading. They continue to evolve to meet ever-changing needs in height, ergonomic design and appearance. Here is an update on what manufacturers of switch stands and machines are producing and what innovations are only months away.
ALSTOM
ALSTOM Signaling Inc. manufactures the TieMaster In-Tie Switch Machine (TM100) that can be installed within the space of a railroad tie. The machine is placed in the position of the first headblock tie of a switch point and bolted to the stock rails.
The TM100's design facilitates continuous ballast tamping through the switch point. According to the company, the rigid integration with the track structure and elimination of layouts and layout components (lock rod, throw rod, point-detector rods, lugs, gauge plate, trapezoidal headblock ties, rail reinforcing plates, rail clips, latch stands, etc.) significantly reduce cost, maintenance activities and space required in yards, tunnels and terminals.
"While the technology is still relatively new, the attention received from the industry is tremendous and demand for machines has increased dramatically. Initial machines have been installed over the past two years on several properties with extremely-positive feedback. Based on that input, the design has evolved and now is ready for deployment across all market segments," said James Balliet, vice president - products at ALSTOM There has been a wide-range of smaller orders for the TieMaster machine from all industry segments involving field trials and product qualification. ALSTOM anticipates several high-volume orders following the qualification cycle.
"The In-Tie concept, as realized in TieMaster, provides a more-compelling case for life-cycle value in reduced maintenance both from the signaling and track departments. Acquisition cost is still important, but overall cost-of-ownership savings to rail customers is estimated to be half that of traditional machines," said Balliet.
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DAMY[R]
DAMY[R] manufactures the semiautomatic 22-E low stand, 56-B high-column stand, 112-D rigid high-column stand and the 51-A rigid low-column stand used by Transportacion Ferroviaria Mexicana, Ferrocaril Mexicano and Ferrocarril del Sureste. In addition, the company manufactures two types of pavement stands, which are used by industrial customers in the U.S. and the maritime ports in Mexico and are manufactured with a reinforced cover that permits transit of vehicles over the switch stand. Another product in DAMY's line is the Star model, which is a high-column rigid stand with a yellow signal flag and is mostly applied on switch point derailers.
Over the past year, DAMY improved some mechanical features on the 22-E switch stand. For example, the company now attaches information regarding the proper engagement of the footlatch on the switch stand's handle. The company believes this information will help the switch stand operators be aware of the proper operation and recommended maintenance practices of the stand.
"In my opinion, the most-important improvement for the Mexican customers is the information that we are including on the cover and handle with a sticker that advises the time interval to grease the moving parts and the recommended type of grease to be used for best performance. We also include our contact information for parts and repairs," said Alex Damy, vice president sales and marketing.
Damy points out that problems experienced in the market stem from Mexican railroads hanging onto the former FNM, or government-owned, mentality.
"It has been very difficult to maintain contact and achieve any success with the decision-makers regarding new developments or product improvements, not only for switch stands, but also for the rest of the turnout and its components. There is no attitude or will for testing new product improvements. We have spent some resources in product testing over the past two years, but the railroads are so busy with their operations that they don't see the benefits of it," said Damy.
Despite a lack of appreciation for research and development, Damy believes his company's products to be top-quality in the Mexican market and notes that the company has seen the benefits of quality-control systems, especially customer feedback.
