Harsco Rail, Harsco Corporation’s railway track maintenance division, received a new order for seven Stoneblower track geometry machines from Network Rail. The order calls for deliveries over two years starting in late 2019. The new track geometry machines will succeed a fleet of retiring Stoneblower units that have logged more than two decades of service for Network Rail.
The Stoneblower automates the traditional process for restoring track geometry by using pneumatic stone insertion below the sleepers. The latest generation units are equipped with a computerized measurement and design system and automatic stone metering system. The resulting track maintains the highest level of ballast compaction, ensures full line speed hand-back, and maintains track geometry up to three times longer than equivalent tamping methods, thereby reducing track maintenance cycles and preserving the condition of the ballast and cross ties.
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