Portec Rail - Rail/Wheel Asset Life-Enhancement, Operation, Efficiency and Safety Equipment

The Portec Rail Group develops, manufactures and applies the latest technology to increase rail assets' life, operating performance, efficiency and safety. The group includes Kelsan Technologies, Salient Systems, Portec Rail Group - Sheffield and Portec Rail Products, and is a global provider of advanced solutions to rail freight and rail passenger operators.

Its product and service offering includes wheel/rail friction management equipment, fault detection and health monitoring systems, track infrastructure components, rolling stock components, mechanical repair systems and load securement systems.

Wheel/rail friction management systems

Portec Rail and Kelsan Technologies' friction management products and services offering have evolved into a Total Friction Management™ (TFM™) program that delivers measurable results. TFM is the systematic implementation of friction control, combined with the technology required to monitor and effectively manage friction to minimize costs and maximize benefit.

Portec Rail Group has the knowledge, expertise, equipment and resources to provide enhanced fuel savings, longer rail/wheel life, track structure integrity, noise abatement and minimized derailment. Achieving these factors helps deliver tangible financial results.

Customized friction management consulting and field services

The TFM™ program provides our friction management consulting and field services with the flexibility required to meet the needs and practical constraints of each individual customer, to obtain the economic benefits associated with this program

Wheel/rail interface friction-control systems

Kelsan Technologies is the developer of ThinFilm™ friction-control solutions. These solutions are a major component of TFM, controlling friction at the wheel/rail interface, reducing costs and improving performance.

Kelsan's patented friction-control solutions extend rail and wheel life, improve fuel efficiency, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, and also reduce noise, lateral forces, and short pitch corrugations. Kelsan offers its environmentally friendly technology to customers in both liquid (KELTRACK®) and on-board solid sticks (HPF™ and LCF™) through a variety of delivery systems.

Portec Rail is the leader in mobile and trackside friction-management application systems. Application systems are also an important component of TFM and our solutions are available in a number of delivery systems through our Hi-rail, On-board, Wayside (HOW™) approach.

Trackside friction-management system

The advanced PROTECTOR® trackside friction-management system is the most prevalent system of its type worldwide. Precise application of gauge-face lubrication and Kelsan's KELTRACK top-of-rail (TOR) friction modifier is accomplished in the most demanding environments. It features a digital control system with optional Remote Performance Monitoring™ for tracking key system functions, aiding the system in providing the desired results.

Hi-rail friction management systems and train-based TOR systems

Mobile gauge face and TOR application is also available via the ROAD-RUNNER™ hi-rail system and the GPS-controlled AutoPilot™ train-based TOR system.

Analysis of wheel/rail interface challenges

The Portec Rail Group has the expertise to solve a variety of wheel/rail interface issues utilizing analysis techniques. This provides sophisticated and detailed monitoring of friction control performance, measurement and tracking of lateral/vertical forces, friction levels, rail wear, fuel consumption, rolling contact fatigue development and other criteria.

Rail fault detection and health monitoring systems

Salient Systems is the industry benchmark for rail fault detection and health monitoring systems. We are the leader in designing, building and installing fault detection equipment to monitor train dynamics as well as the health of rolling stock and rail through a variety of wayside and rail-mounted systems. Integrating these systems with our intelliTrack® software solutions improves track and equipment reliability, safety and operational efficiency.

These systems include rail stress monitors for managing thermal rail forces, wheel impact load detectors (WILD), hunting truck detectors, truck performance detection systems, weigh-in-motion systems and low-hose detectors.

Rail track infrastructure components

Portec Rail's long-lasting, engineered products for track structure include standard joints (fishplates) and both glued and dry insulated rail joints. Dry joint types include ComPly™ epoxy fiberglass, the nylon-encapsulated Coronet™ joint and the polyurethane-encapsulated Poly-Insulated® joint.

Other track components are FAIR® and Exi™ rail anchors, spikes, fasteners, Poly-Insulated gauge plate and switch rod insulators, MACK® switchpoint protectors, Curv-Bloc® rail rollover-protection devices and rail-separation temporary repair.

Load securement and vehicle repair systems

Portec Rail's shipping system division specializes in systems to keep loads - including lumber, cars, trucks, farm equipment and intermodal containers - secure to their destination. Our products in this sector include vehicle wheel securement systems, bridge plates and accessories, chain tie-downs, web and cable products, lading banding securements, intermodal container locks and pedestals, and brake chains. Complete shop-based systems are available for rail vehicle and locomotive maintenance/repair.