Sector

GRP grating and handrailing for rail and light rail

Short possessions, high safety requirements and electrified track place particular demands on materials. Byggkomposit supplies GRP products for safe, electrically non-conductive structures in trackside environments.

Rail and light-rail infrastructure is a demanding environment to build in. Works often have to be carried out during short overnight possessions, next to live overhead lines and to high safety standards for passengers and trackside crews. GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) is used today in trackside structures, as the material can meet several of these requirements at once.

Byggkomposit supplies GRP structures to Swedish and Nordic rail projects — from station platforms and platform extensions to cable ladders, trackside walkways and handrailing around bridges and tunnel portals. The material has a low self-weight, does not conduct electricity and can normally be installed without welding. That can mean a track contractor is able to install or replace sections during a single overnight possession, but this should always be assessed against the specific project's conditions.

Image collage

Reference images

GRP handrails along service platforms beside railway tracks in a maintenance depot — GRP handrails separate service platforms from the track area in a railway maintenance depot.

Train platform with GRP panels, tactile strip and handrails beside railway tracks — Train platform with GRP panels, tactile strip and handrails along the railway tracks.

Service platforms with GRP panels between railway tracks in a train maintenance depot — GRP panels form long service platforms between the tracks in a railway maintenance depot.

Illuminated walkway with GRP grating and GRP handrail in a trackside railway environment at a station. — GRP grating and handrail form an illuminated walkway for safe passage in a trackside environment.

GRP platform with grating treads and handrails next to a train in a railway facility. — GRP platform with steps and handrails provides safe access to the train.

GRP grating forms service platforms alongside tracks and trains in a railway maintenance facility — Service platforms made from GRP grating provide access to trains and tracks in a maintenance facility.

GRP platforms with steps and handrails between the tracks in a train maintenance facility. — GRP platforms with stairs and handrails provide access to trains in a trackside maintenance environment.

GRP grating forms service platforms and walkways between the tracks alongside trains in a railway depot. — GRP grating provides service platforms and walkways for access to trains and tracks in a maintenance facility.

Properties relevant to rail infrastructure

Six properties of fibreglass composite that are often specified in rail projects.

Electrically non-conductive

GRP does not conduct electricity, which is relevant when working close to overhead lines and conductor rails. Electrical safety should always be verified against the project's requirements.

Fast installation in possessions

Pre-assembled sections can be installed during short overnight possessions, without welding or hot works.

Gritted anti-slip surface

An anti-slip surface in rain, snow and slush, relevant on busy station platforms and crossings.

Low self-weight

A section weighs little enough to often be handled manually by two technicians without a crane in trackside work.

Fire-rated grades available

GRP panels are available in fire-rated grades relevant for rolling stock and station environments. The applicable rating should be verified against the project's requirements.

Withstands vibration

The material handles the cyclic vibration associated with train traffic, which is relevant for fatigue in trackside structures.

GRP applications in rail and metro

Station platforms

GRP station platform panels form a modular system that can simplify the construction and extension of platforms. Sections can be supplied pre-fabricated with cable routes, tactile paving and safety markings. The gritted anti-slip surface is intended to meet accessibility standards, which should be verified against the current project.

Handrailing along track, bridges and tunnels

GRP handrailing can be used as fall protection along track, rail bridges and at tunnel portals. Because the material does not conduct electricity, handrailing can be positioned close to overhead lines, but a risk assessment should always be made for the specific project. Low self-weight can ease installation without a crane between tracks.

Cable ladders and trackside walkways

GRP profiles and composite cable ladders are used across the rail network for signalling and power cables. The material is electrically neutral, does not corrode outdoors and is designed to withstand the mechanical vibration generated by train passages in the formation.

Metro and tramway

In metro and tramway environments, GRP can be used for trackside walkways, depot platforms and tunnel inspection routes. Fire-rated grades are available for underground rail traffic, and the applicable rating should be verified against the project's requirements.

Less disruption with the right material choice

For infrastructure owners, regional rail contractors and metro operators, the possession window is often a limiting resource in a project. GRP productscan help reduce the number of nights spent on track closures through manual installation without hot works. We are happy to discuss the right fire rating, dimensioning and documentation for your rail project — the final specification is always determined against the project's technical basis.

View our GRP products More sectors

Want to explore Dura Composites' global reference projects in rail? Read more about GRP in rail at Dura Composites (opens in a new tab).

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