Japanese Steelmaker Manufacturing 150-Meter Rails
The world's longest, these will reduce the number of welds and will reduce railroads' rail maintenance, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation announced.
Tokyo-based Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation announced that it has begun manufacturing rails that are 150 meters long, three times longer than any made before, at its Yawata Works, which has been manufacturing rails since 1901.
The company’s announcement said rail companies "need to improve their rails to accommodate economic growth and resource developments. Such as Inter-city passenger trains are increasing its speed and decreasing its weight, and freight trains are carrying heavier and longer consist. This means that rails are used in a harsher environment than in the past. NSSMC has been actively responding to this challenge by improving the quality of rail materials, and development and commercialization of more wear-resistant rails."
Rails for railways normally are cut in 25-meter or 50-meter standard lengths for shipment to users, who may then weld sections together to make continuous welded rails. The 150-meter rails will help to stabilize the rail track by reducing the number of welds and will reduce railroads' rail maintenance.