The global track maintenance company Harsco, has won three international contracts worth a total of $85 million to supply and service track maintenance equipment to Italy, India and the UK.
Harsco Rail Grinder for Use on Milan Metro Line 5
Harsco’s first order sees the company’s first rail grinder sale to Italy, previously a competitor stronghold. The units are to be used on the new Line 5 of the Milan metro so the equipment has been specially designed and built to suit the needs and requirements of the smaller passageways and tighter clearances found in Europe. The units can also be operated in a modular configuration which gives the customer maximum flexibility and efficiency in its rail grinding operations, based on the number of grinding heads to be operated. The units will be built in Harsco Rail’s US production plants and are scheduled for delivery in 2014 and 2015.
Additional P-811 Track Renewal Trains for Indian Railways
The second of Harsco’s international contracts is to deliver additional P-811 Track Renewal Trains (TRTs) and a multi-functional track maintenance machine used to upgrade existing track with new rail and attachment fittings, to Indian Railways in early 2014. Indian Railways, who are the world’s fourth largest railway system, transporting more than 30 million passengers and three million tons of freight a day, already own and operate a fleet of seven TRTs that have helped the railroad improve its track relaying programs with enhanced quality, on time performance and safety.
Stoneblower Contract with Network Rail Extended
The final contract Harsco have secured is a multi-year extension and expansion of its ongoing contract services program with UK infrastructure manager Network Rail. Harsco currently operate and maintain a fleet of Harsco-built Stoneblowers on behalf of Network Rail and the latest order extends Harsco’s services until mid-2015 with an option for two additional years. Harsco Stoneblowers were developed as an alternative to traditional tamping methods for the restoration of track’s vertical and lateral alignment. It works by pneumatically injecting ballast under the tie to achieve track positioning to an accuracy of 1.0mm without disturbing the pre-existing compacted ballast.
Scott W. Jacoby, Harsco Rail President, said of the orders “These are all strategic wins, not only in terms of extending important long-term relationships within our existing customer base but also with the expansion of our global footprint.”
