Geofabrics
Performance You Can Trust, Reinforcement Where It’s Needed
This article first appeared in the Railway-News magazine, Issue 3 2022.
TrackTex – The Anti-Pumping Geocomposite
Amongst the headaches faced by rail operators and contractors are issues caused by problem areas of ballast contamination in trackbeds. One solution is re-ballasting – however this is only successful for a limited period and the problem will resurface. The cost implication of regular, ongoing maintenance
is significant but can be avoided with a specialist solution to mud pumping in place. And this is where TrackTex comes in.
TrackTex is a patented, anti-pumping geocomposite. The result of more than a decade of research by trackbed engineers, its unique filter system improves trackbed quality over time. It’s been proven to significantly increase maintenance intervals – by more than 25 times.
A Solution with a Worldwide Track Record
Globally, the rail industry has been actively using TrackTex since 2010 – and enjoying the significant cost savings that come with it. Some of the world’s leading operators have already installed TrackTex as a spot treatment. These include Network Rail (UK), ProRail (Netherlands), Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, Canadian National, Canadian Pacific (USA/Canada), amongst others.
There’s now more than 8 million square feet of TrackTex installed within Europe, Australia and the United States to date – a statistic which speaks volumes about its efficacy. Site monitoring across a number of key sites has also resulted in clear evidence of TrackTex success. It’s now accepted as the most cost-effective way of preventing and correcting mud pumping failure by many rail operators.
TrackTex + Geogrid: Additional Reinforcement, Long-Term Reassurance
Not all ballast contamination is equal – and some trackbeds face more serious issues, calling for additional reinforcement. With this problem in mind, a version of TrackTex has been developed that incorporates a geogrid on top – TrackTex G. This is a specialist solution for areas of track with a low bearing capacity.
