veloSTRAIL was specifically designed to facilitate convenient passage for the physically disabled and cyclists.

A rubber component wearing part, which eliminates the flange groove, is easily replaceable without removing
the inner panel.
Special issue
Report on veloSTRAIL
Author > Dipl.-Ing. Wolfgang Seehafer
Internationale Fachzeitschrift
fr Schienenverkehr & Technik
Juni 2007 6
VERBAND DEUTSCHER EISENBAHN-INGENIEURE E.V.
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STRAIL ist eine Marke der Gruppe KRAIBURG K
June 2007
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LEVEL CROSSI NG
50 EI Eisenbahningenieur (58) 6/2007
Wolfgang Seehafer
Level crossing without flange groove
An innovative product for reducing the risk of accidents
At the International Exhibition of Rail-
track Technology (iaf), held in Mnster/
Westphalia in 2006, and at the InnoTrans
railway technology trade fair in Berlin the
same year, the Kraiburg Group presen-
ted a new level crossing decking from the
STRAIL product family called veloSTRAIL.
This innovative level crossing system fea-
tures an elastic rubber lip which closes the
flange groove, making it particularly sui-
table for level crossings along footpaths
and cycle paths and where road and rail-
way lines cross at skewed angles.
Author
Dipl.-Ing. Wolfgang Seehafer, Consultant
Engineer, Langen
In accordance with the decree governing
railway operation (EBO), a flange groove
with a minimum width of 45 mm must be
retained for level crossings. This is to enable
railway vehicles to roll through the distance
between the inside wheel flanges (Fig. 1).
The flange groove should not however be
wider than 55 mm.
Particularly on skewed crossings, the open
flange groove represents an accident risk
for cyclists, wheelchair users and pedestri-
ans. (Fig. 2).
In the past, there have been numerous at-
tempts at solutions to eliminate this risk
but they were unsuitable for use in regular
operation under consideration of the gui-
delines outlined in the EBO. Exceptions, as
regards limiting the minimum dimension
or elastic lining of the flange grooves, are
only authorised for inferior tracks on which
shunting speeds are driven.
Solution
Gummiwerk Kraiburg has meanwhile ex-
tended its STRAIL level crossing system to
include the veloSTRAIL variant. A rubber
lip lies in the flange groove with the result
that the gap between the rail profile and
level crossing surface is filled, resulting in
an even surface for pedestrians and cyclists
(Fig. 3). Even the lightest railway vehicle
wheel flanges can easily press this rubber
lip down when passing the railway cros-
sing (Fig. 4).
Nor is operational safety impaired by
the formation of ice in the flange groo-
ve, which means the railway operator no
longer needs to keep the flange groove
free.
Level crossing system without
flange groove
The veloSTRAIL system comprises a 60-cm
inner panel with an innovative connection
between the panel and the interchangeab-
le part (click system without gluing) which
is attached to a package without any gaps
via a patented lock tight system (Fig. 5).
The system is available for standard su-
perstructures. A smooth product transition
without any edges, as well as an additional
rail head lock, ensures excellent properties
when subjected to snow ploughs.
In winter, the flange groove does not need
to be kept free of snow or ice. The innova-
tive system is resistant to all standard envi-
ronmental influences. Its short-term tem-
perature resistance is more than 120 C
and has also been tested at minus tempe-
ratures to -20 C.
The veloSTRAIL system has already been
tested for a long period at a level cros-
sing operated by a local railway operator
in Salzburg, where it excellently withstood
the load requirements on rails and roads.
EBA approval
The approval process for veloSTRAIL for
level crossing applications with Deutsche
Bahn AG, with permissible route speeds of
up to 80 km/h has already been introdu-
ced. Approval, for operational testing, was
granted by the German Railway Office for
installation of this system at a level cros-
sing operated by SOB (SdostBayernBahn)
at km 75.386 of the Passau-Neumarkt St.
Veit (5832) link. Installation was comple-
ted at the end of March 2007. Testing is li-
mited to 31.03.2008.
Fig. 2: Oblique road and rail junction with
an open flange groove, level crossing
system Lindau
Stop block
ejector area
Fig. 1: EBO sketch, Enclosure 1, section C,
Enclosure 1 (Fig. 2: lower section of
boundary line)
Fig. 3: veloSTRAIL system with inner panel, filler block and interchangeable part
STRAIL inner panel, 600 mm for gauge width of 1,435 mm (also available for other gauge widths)
Special ller block
STRAIL interchangeable part
Dovetailed connection to the inner panel
Seehafer_en.indd 50 18.07.2007 11:51:27 Uhr
51 EI Eisenbahningenieur (58) 6/2007
Summary / Rsum
Bahnbergang mit
geschlossener Spurrille
Auf der internationalen Ausstellung Fahrweg-
technik iaf des Verbandes Deutscher Eisenbahn-
Ingenieure e.V. (VDEI) in Mnster/Westfalen,
sowie auf der InnoTrans in Berlin, beide im Jahr
2006, zeigte die Unternehmensgruppe Krai-
burg einen neuen Bahnbergangsbelag aus der
Produktfamilie STRAIL mit der Bezeichnung
veloSTRAIL. Dieser innovative Bahnbergangs-
belag hat eine mit einer elastischen Gummilippe
geschlossene Spurrille und ist deshalb besonders
geeignet fr Bahnbergnge im Zuge von Fu-
und Radwegen und bei schiefwinkligen Kreu-
zungen von Schiene und Strae.
The use of veloSTRAIL at level crossings
operated by the Austrian Railways (BB)
and frequented by trains travelling at more
than 80 km/h is also currently being tested.
Outlook
The innovative veloSTRAIL level crossing
decking is an ideal supplement to the
STRAIL system product range, particularly
in critical cases where roads and rails meet
at skewed angles. Apart from eliminating
the risk of accident for cyclists, wheelchair
users and pedestrians, the closed flange
groove also reduces noise levels in road
traffic. The flange groove no longer needs
to be kept free of snow and ice in winter
and the level crossing can be easily passed
by snow ploughs and road-cleaning ser-
vices.
Literature
[1] Decree governing railway construction and opera-
tion (EBO)
[2] Group guideline 815 DB AG: Planning and main-
taining level crossings
[3] Approval for operational testing by the German
Federal Railway Office for the installation of the
veloSTRAIL system on the level crossing in Eggen-
felden
Fig. 4: Spring-deflected flange groove Fig. 5: Installation of a veloSTRAIL
interchangeable part using the click
system
Fig. 6: Level crossing with veloSTRAIL,
testing by the Salzburg local railway
authorities
Passage niveau ornire
ferme
A lexposition internationale des techniques de
la voie (iaf), organise par la VDEI (Association
des ingnieurs ferroviaires allemands) Munster
(Westphalie), et lInnoTrans Berlin, qui ont
eu lieu en 2006, le groupe dentreprises Kraiburg
a montr un nouveau revtement pour passa-
ges niveau de la famille de produits STRAIL
et dnomm veloSTRAIL. Ce revtement inno-
vant possde une ornire ferme par une lvre
lastique en caoutchouc. Il est par consquent
particulirement adapt aux passages niveau
pour les pitons et les cyclistes ainsi quen cas de
croisement oblique du rail et de la route.
strae trifft schiene. Wenn es um Sicherheit geht, kennen wir keine
Kompromisse. Vom technisch einfachen und sicheren Einbau bis zur alltglichen Dauerbelastung ohne
Spaltenbildung. Wir stimmen unsere Produkte auf Ihre Aufgaben ab. Kein Standard fr alle, sondern
Sicherheit nach Ma. STRAIL. Sicherheit fr Ihre Bahnbergnge, Sicherheit fr Ihre Investitionen.
STRAIL Verkehrssysteme / D-84529 Tittmoning, Obb. / Gllstrae 8 / tel. +49| 8683| 701-0 / fax -126 / info@strail.de
www.strail.de
BAHNBERGANGSSYSTEME fr hchste Ansprche
STRAIL ist eine Marke der Gruppe
KRAIBURG K
einfach sicher.
einfach sicher.
Seehafer_en.indd 51 18.07.2007 11:51:33 Uhr
Installation.
veloSTRAIL THE INNER PANEL SYSTEM WITHOUT FLANGE GROOVE
Safe crossing assured especially for cyclists and physically disabled as well as baby buggies
Multiple integrated interlock of wearing part with the inner panel
Positional stability thanks to several integrated anti-shift elements in all directions
Excellent compression of flange groove even at very low temperatures with simultaneous high
bearing force in the direction of the road for safe crossing by individual users
Required pressure force from rail vehicle < 250 kg at 20C
Train speeds of up to 80 km/h, railway crossings with speeds of > 80 km/h are already undergoing
practical trials
Guaranteed product life of interchangeable parts: 1 million axle crossings* or 2 years
Compatible with all products from the STRAIL family
Available for the most common surface types (high K fastenings must be replaced, e.g. with SKL 18)
* The formation of a groove in the contact area with the wheel flange is normal and does not represent any reason for objection.
STRAIL systems for track surfaces / Gummiwerk KRAIBURG Elastik GmbH
D-84529 Tittmoning / Gllstrae 8 / phone. +49| 8683| 701-0 / fax -126 / info@strail.de / www.strail.de
Installation of veloSTRAIL does not require any great technical effort. Once the position of the level crossing has
been specified, the track bed cleaned and the exact sleeper spacing of 60 cm is ensured, the rail is put into the
right height and lateral position. K-fastenings must be replaced by SKL 18 Vossloh fastening. To facilitate
installation (start in the centre) and improved pressing of the panels after cleaning, coat the rail foot, filler blocks,
veloSTRAIL panels and interchangeable parts with lubricant.
The filler blocks and veloSTRAIL inner panels are then inserted and tensioned longitudinally using the patented
lock tight system. Insert the interchangeable parts at an angle in the inner panels.
Use a rubber hammer for targeted impact along the dovetailed zone (start at the side) to complete full connection
with the inner panel. Then knock the barb on the interchangeable part under the rail head in the zone near the
rails. Knock each of the interchangeable parts sideways against their neighbours to create a gap-free surface.
Install the deflection plate last.
Detailed assembly instructions are included within the scope of delivery or can be downloaded from www.strail.de.
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