Railways are an important and necessary transportation and logistics network that requires adhering to the highest operational and safety standards. That’s why it is essential that railway parts and components are manufactured with comprehensive quality assurance processes to ensure safety for their intended use.
In this article, we will explain why quality assurance is important for railway parts, and provide some guidance on how you can ensure the railway parts you are purchasing meet the quality and safety standards for your intended use.
Why quality assurance is important for railway parts
Properly manufactured railway parts are essential for safety. They ensure trains travel safely, help optimize railway operations, and may minimize maintenance or replacement needs for parts that experience extra, unnecessary wear and tear or that break completely.
When railway parts don’t undergo a detailed and comprehensive quality assurance process, railway operators risk installing uneven tracks or parts that don’t fit together precisely. This increases the risk of derailments, which can cause loss of life, injury to humans, damage to infrastructure, and other safety concerns.
It’s more cost-effective to use high-quality railway parts than the extra costs and inconvenience of repairing or replacing faulty parts on an active track.
Quality assurance criteria and considerations for rail parts
When purchasing new or relay rails and other track materials, ensure your manufacturer follows a strict quality assurance process. This will ensure the parts you buy are safe for your intended use.
Here are a few quality assurance criteria and considerations for purchasing rail parts and components for your project.
Do the parts support even rail and track alignment?
Precise alignment of your rail tracks and other railway components is critical to ensuring a smooth ride for trains and the track’s safety. Correct alignment can minimize wear and tear on your components, help you operate your line more efficiently, optimize energy consumption, and support increased line safety.
Before and after installing new parts, always check the track geometry and alignment to ensure a precise fit and installation. Advanced surveying technologies such as drones, LiDAR, and GPS measurements can help ensure optimal alignment.
Have I double-checked any custom measurements and specifications?
It is critically essential to ensure that any custom-made parts or components have precise measurements. A difference of a couple of millimetres could cause extra wear and tear on your parts or more serious derailments or injuries.
Before sending any custom measurements or specifications to your railway parts manufacturer, it’s imperative to double-check them. If you’re unsure about any measurements, don’t hesitate to seek assistance from your manufacturer’s representative.
Does the manufacturer adhere to industry codes and standards?
Ensure that your rail parts manufacturer is committed to adhering to Industry codes and standards for rail products. Ask them about the industry codes and standards they follow. It’s also crucial to verify their standing in industry associations, as this demonstrates their commitment to staying up to date on the latest industry standards.
Here are four common railway standards of note:
- European Standards (EN)
- Japanese Standards (JIS)
- Australian Standards (AREMA)
- American Standards (ASCE)
Am I buying the right product for its intended use?
If you accidentally buy a part intended for another use, it may not be compatible with how or where your rails are used. This risks damaging other components of your railway, increasing the chances of experiencing operational inefficiencies due to misalignment of parts and, in worst-case scenarios, train derailment or loss of life.
For example, some rails are specially manufactured for high-speed trains and others for light rail or slower trains. They may differ in materials, thicknesses, and other tolerances. If you are unsure if the product you are purchasing is approved and meets the standards for your specific use, ask your manufacturer for assistance.
Learn more about choosing suitable rail types for your train project.
Are parts being installed by qualified individuals?
In addition to having a quality assurance process for your railway parts, it is also essential that qualified professionals install them. Their installation process should also undergo quality assurance and testing before the rail line is operational.
The NARP quality assurance process
At NARP, we create value for our clients. This means we are dedicated to manufacturing safe rail products that you can rely on for your project. All parts manufactured in our facilities go through a rigorous and detailed quality assurance process to ensure that what you order is what you receive.
Our parts are manufactured according to industry standards and codes. When ordering custom parts, we will work with you to ensure that your measurements and specifications are accurate the first time to avoid costly mistakes in manufacturing.
We promise to deliver on our unwavering commitment to providing a seamless and dependable ordering process for all your rail components from the point of order to on-time delivery of reliable parts.
Let us be your go-to team for high-quality and reliable rail products. View our product catalogue online or contact us for more information about how we can make your rail project successful.
