Rails

1 Scope

This specification applies to flat-bottom rails supplied to Bane NOR.

1.1 Profiles and rail grades

1.1.1 Profiles and rail grades on main line network

The following rails shall be delivered in respect of rail profile and rail grade in accordance with EN 13674-1:

• 49E1 R260Mn
• 54E3 R260Mn
• 54E3 R350HT
• 60E1 R260Mn
• 60E1 R350HT

1.1.2 Profiles and rail grades on heavy haul lines

The following rails shall be delivered in respect of rail profile and rail grade in accordance with EN 13674-1:

• 54E4 R400HT
• 60E2 R400HT ¹⁾

¹⁾ 60E2 rails with alternative hypereutectoid rail grade with higher performance can be delivered as long as it meets the following requirements:

• Tensile strength > 1340 MPa
• Carbon content (liquid) ≤ 1,10 %
• The rail shall be produced in accordance with EN 13674-1 and meet all qualification and acceptance criterias set out for R400HT rail grade.
  • Exception: Tensile strenght > 1340 MPa
  • Exception: Elongation ≥ 8 %
  • Exception: Hardness ≤ 490 HBW

1.2 Rail lengths

• Rails lengths of min. 100 meter shall be available from the supplying rolling mill for all rail profiles exept rail profile 49E1.
• For rail profile 49E1, shorter rail lengths may be delivered.
• Longer rails consisting of multiple rail lengths of minimum 100 meter each, may be delivered when the rails are joined by flash butt welding.
• Any flash butt welding shall be carried out in accordance with EN 14587-1.

1.3 Holes

The rails shall not be delivered with any holes, unless it is specific agreed upon.

1.4  Geometrical tolerances

1.4.1 Transverse profile tolerances

The rails shall be delivered in profile class X in accordance with EN 13674-1, unless another profile class is specific agreed upon.

1.4.2 Longitudinal tolerances

The rails shall be delivered in straightness class A in accordance with EN 13674-1, unless another profile class is specific agreed upon.

2 Qualification of rolling mill

The supplying rolling mill shall be qualified in accordance with EN 13674-1. The qualification is based on the following tests:

• Fracture toughness and fatigue crack growth rate
• Fatigue test
• Residual stress in rail foot
• Tensile strength and elongation
• Segregation
• Chemical composition
• Microstructure
• Decarburisation
• Oxide cleaness
• Hardness

Qualification criteria are given in EN 13674-1.

3 Manufacture

The rails shall be manufactured in accordance with EN 13674-1 regarding casting of blooms, rolling, straightening, branding, stamping, cutting and drilling of the rails.

3.1 Welding

Any flash butt welding shall be carried out in accordance with EN 14587-1 with following remarks:

4 Chemical analysis and mechanical properties

For all rail grades, the chemical composition and mechanical properties shall be in accordance with EN 13674-1.

5 Acceptance of rails

Acceptance criteria for rails to be delivered are given in EN 13674-1. Acceptance is based on the following tests:

• Chemical composition
• Oxygen level
• Microstructure
• Decarburisation
• Oxide cleanness
• Segregation
• Hardness
• Tensile strength and elongation
• Transverse and longitudinal rail profile check
• Ultrasonic testing
• Surface quality

Test methods and test frequencies are given in EN 13674-1.

Bane NOR shall have access to the production facilities during all steps of the manufacture and testing of rails.

6 Identification

• Relief brands shall be applied to the rails in accordance with EN 13674-1, chapter 7.4.1
• Hot stamps shall be applied to the rails in accordance with EN 13674-1, chapter 7.4.2
• The rails shal not be marked with any cold stamps.

7 Documentation

The supplier/rolling mill shall prove to Bane NOR that the rolling mill meets the qualification requirements given in EN 13674-1, and the welding plant meets the qualification given in EN 14587-1, prior to the first delivery of rails to Bane NOR.

Material certificates shall be handed over to Bane NOR for every delivery of rails. The material certificates shall contain the following information:

• Chemical composition
• Tensile strength or hardness
• Elongation
• Sulphur prints

Upon request, the supplier shall document that the rails meets all acceptance requirements given in EN 13674-1.

8 Transport and storage

• The rails must be transported on railway wagons specially adapted for transporting rails. The rails must be secured in such a way that permanent deformations and other damages cannot occur.
• The lifting equipment (rail clamps) used for lifting and handling the rails must not damage the surface of the rail.
• Arrangements and equipment for transporting and handling the rails must be approved by Bane NOR prior to delivery.
• Temporary storage of the rails in a corrosion-prone environment (e.g. near the sea) is not permitted.

9 Reference documents

• EN 13674-1: 2011 + A1 2017 – Railway applications – Track – Rails – Part 1: Vignole railway rails 46kg/m and above
• EN 14587-1: 2018 – Railway applications – Track – Flash butt welding of rails – Part 1: New R220, R260, R260Mn, R350HT, R350LHT, R370CrHT and R400HT grade rails in a fixed plant

10 Compliance list

Download compliance list for completion.

11 Change log

Endringslogg for Skinner