IRJ at Railway Interchange: Pintsch Tiefenbach, Germany, had a prototype SIL4 software-based axle counter on display in Minneapolis.

IRJ at Railway Interchange: Plasser American unveiled its new GRM2X self-propelled fully-automated tamping trailer at the outdoor exhibition area in Minneapolis.

IRJ at Railway Interchange: Frauscher is expanding its product range by offering a sensor with an open analogue interface alongside its wheel detection systems.

The introduction of super premium rail steels using hypereutectoid material concepts was a major step forward 15 years ago. Simone Prohaska, product management, and Albert Jörg, head of product management, with Voestalpine Schienen, explain how progress in production technology, metallurgical expertise and better understanding of rolling contact fatigue have contributed to the development of a new generation of super premium rail steels.

Florian Polterauer, business development manager, infrastructure projects with Plasser & Theurer, believes that infrastructure maintainers need to look at the whole life cost and overall benefits before deciding which tamping machines to purchase rather than simply comparing the purchase price, or risk making decisions they later regret.

Aarhus is currently developing Denmark's inaugural light rail project which is on course to open in 2017 to coincide with the city becoming the year's European Capital of Culture. Kevin Smith took a trip to eastern Jutland to see how the project is progressing.

IRJ at Railway Interchange: TM Track Machines (TMT) is showcasing its new TMT Roadmaster 1.0 at the outdoor exhibition area in Minneapolis.

IRJ at railway Interchange: Loram showed its new Shoulder Ballast Cleaner 2400 at the outdoor exhibition area at BNSF's Northtown yard in Minneapolis.
The new machine has enhanced automation and can operate at speeds up to 6.5km/h and in curves of up to 17o. The 15 high-capacity conveyors can process more than 2400m3/h.

Mr Dennis Mathison, Loram's chief engineer, says the objective is to double shoulder cleaning production to allow twice the amount of track to be serviced.

The machine's automation features include a sequential automatic start-up of its digging wheels, conveyors and work mechanisms; automatic digging depth and scarifier control; bulk sensing conveyor flow measurement; an obstacle detection and avoidance system; advanced crossing sequencing capability and an advanced ethernet camera system.

IRJ at Railway Interchange: Nordco had on display its new electric road-rail yard switching unit and its new RoadReady ballast regulator and tamping machine.

Current prospects for the global rail track system market are mixed according to the latest study by German consultancy SCI Verkehr. CEO Maria Leenen and senior consultant Karl Strang profile the results.