Next month will see the first installation of Infundo¨ resilient embedded track on a ferro-concrete bridge, over the River Ammer near Herrenberg in southern Germany. This summer will also see the system used on the first track laid for Britain’s newest tramway in Croydon. On München’s existing tram network, Line 27 will be relaid with 2 km of grass track and 800m of slab track, and Line 18 will receive 1·8 km of grass track.
Infundo¨ is a co-operative venture between Edilon BV and Strukton of the Netherlands and Leonhard Weiss of Germany. Dispensing with sleepers minimises excavation during construction and reduces the overall weight of the trackbed. Full-width concrete slabs or slabs covered with grass contain grooves which are laid with rail, then filled with Edilon’s Corkelast¨.
This is a pourable combination of special grade elastomers and natural cork which surrounds the rail to a level just below the head and then hardens. The compound has a number of benefits, including low maintenance costs and low noise and vibration. The material is also recyclable, and pollution of the sub-soil is minimised.
Reader Enquiry Numbers:
Edilon BV 134
Leonhard Weiss GmbH & Co 135
Strukton Spoorwegbouw BV 136
