RHEDA System
The country's first ballastless track system
RHEDA 2000 – was introduced by the Patil Group. Developed
and manufactured in collaboration with RailOne AG, Germany
– the company which has specially designed RHEDA 2000
sleepers for high speed rail tracks. Whether for tram systems,
underground railways or surface commuter train lines,
ballastless track systems can be integrated optimally into traffic
flow and the urban landscape.
Patil Group of Industries has introduced a complete Ballastless track solution for urban metro rail on viaducts and underground tunnels. RHEDA MRT Solutions are being used in many places worldwide and guaranteed under single point responsibility wherein the complete track, fastening and turnouts are integrated and delivered on a single source making it cost competitive and hassle free for customers and clients.
The advantages of using RHEDA Ballastless track
systems include long life cycles, high speeds ride comfort
and great load-carrying capability. Practically maintenance
free, ballastless track systems ensure 100% availability
over many years. In many cases, a maintenance-free track
system is indeed the more cost-effective solution over the
long run.
One of the most important implementations of RHEDA 2000 has been between Frankfurt and Cologne in Germany with trains achieving speeds up to 300 kmph. The development of special turnout sleepers for the RHEDA 2000® system means that track and turnout are totally compatible: the uniform structural height and the reduced weight enable significant time and cost benefits in project engineering and installation.
With Indian Railways still undertaking trial runs with these sleepers, implementation of RHEDA sleepers has not been widespread. The advantage of these sleepers is its use where ballast cannot be used and especially in tunnels, elevated tracks and station aprons.
The use of RHEDA sleepers is ideal for laying washable aprons at railway stations thereby improving the cleanliness of the station yards. The station aprons where the RHEDA sleepers have been implemented include Bhubaneshwar and Kacheguda.
However, as the requirements of these sleepers is not in
very high quantities, bulk production is not very
economical or a viable option. Sensing a potential in small
quantity manufacturing, Patil Group and RailOne, AG
worked together to set up mini mobile production plants -
these can reach the station where the apron is required.
Once there, the required design can be programmed,
manufactured and once the same is laid out, the
production van can move to the next location eliminating
the need for setting up bulk manufacturing plants and
transportation of these sleepers to their destination.
Patil RailOne RHEDA Ballastless track was selected for the Jammu-Kashmir railway line. The company has also introduced complete ballastless track solutions for urban metro rail on viaducts, underground tunnels as well.