News

Anyone active in the Belgian rail infrastructure market knows that market knowledge and strong relationships are just as important as technical expertise. Fortunately, we can rely on Timo Ven: a native of Antwerp with Finnish roots, a lover of nature and culture, and a familiar face within voestalpine for more than twenty years. As Senior Customer Relationship Manager, Timo brings together Belgian customers, colleagues and specialists from various European voestalpine companies on a daily basis. We spoke with him about his international role, the differences between Belgium and the Netherlands, and what continues to fascinate him about the railway industry after all these years.

ProRail and voestalpine Track Solutions Netherlands have taken the initiative during InnoTrans, the international trade fair for transport and railway technology in Berlin, to jointly explore a more circular railway infrastructure supply chain. Both parties underline their ambition to keep materials from the existing railway infrastructure in the railway production chain for longer. This maximises the value of these materials while reducing the need for virgin raw materials.

Rails are not exposed to the same conditions everywhere. In tunnels, level crossings, station areas, ports and metro systems, moisture, salt, contamination and stray currents can significantly reduce their service life. As a specialist in corrosion protection, we see every day how great the impact of the railway environment can be on the service life of rails. Effective corrosion protection is therefore essential to prevent deterioration and safeguard the reliability of rail infrastructure.

Increasing rail capacity, higher infrastructure availability and a longer service life of rail infrastructure require smart innovations in both rail technology and logistics. At InnoTrans, we will present our new Robel for the transport, unloading and loading of long rails for the first time, demonstrating how these developments come together in future-oriented rail logistics.

Bridge Transitions and Expansion Joints on Railway Bridges: New Requirements Demand a Different Approach Many railway bridges in the Netherlands have been part of the rail infrastructure for decades. At the same time, track availability is becoming increasingly important, while maintenance and renewal projects must be completed within shorter possession periods. Meanwhile, new ProRail requirements mean that certain designs of expansion joints, bridge transitions and welded connections are being phased out, creating the need for alternative solutions. As a result, technical choices, component availability and project execution planning are becoming increasingly interconnected for contractors and infrastructure managers. Especially on railway bridges, thorough preparation is therefore more important than ever.

Veel spoorstaven in Nederland liggen al tientallen jaren in dienst. Hoewel deze spoorstaven nog goed functioneren, wijken ze door jarenlang gebruik af van hun oorspronkelijke profiel. Dat stelt andere eisen aan onderhoud en vervangingen. Want hoe zorg je voor een optimale aansluiting tussen nieuw en bestaand spoor wanneer het bestaande spoor zowel verticaal als zijdelings is ingesleten?

Replacing a turnout component starts with finding the correct part. In practice, this often takes more time than desired. Compatibility requirements, technical specifications, regulations and the wide variety of turnout systems can make it challenging to quickly identify the right components. With our new turnout component configurator, infrastructure managers and contractors can find the correct turnout components faster using up-to-date infrastructure data, saving valuable preparation time at a moment when maintenance and renewal projects are facing increasing time pressure and track possessions are becoming ever scarcer.

Within the rail infrastructure sector, the availability of critical components is essential. This is especially true for track transformers, which play a direct role in train protection systems and therefore contribute to safe and reliable train detection. To ensure this availability, we have worked closely with ETI Electrotechnische Industrie for many years.

In VBI’s new hollow-core slab production facility, it is not only concrete production that matters, but also a reliable and continuously operating railway system. We supported our long-standing supplier VBI, formerly known as Spanbeton, in expanding its production capacity with a tailored design and the delivery of an efficient railway system. For once, our supplier became our customer.

With the departure of CEO Chris van Dranen, voestalpine Track Solutions Netherlands is entering a new phase. Not a complete change of direction, but a logical continuation of a development that has been underway for some time. Chris is stepping down and retiring. On 1 June, Mark de Vries started as CEO alongside his existing roles within voestalpine Railway Systems. Earlier, on 1 April, Dominique Martens joined as Commercial Director. We spoke with them about their roles and how they, together with the team, will continue building on the company’s future.

The pressure on underground rail infrastructure is increasing. Rail networks are becoming more complex, the number of cable systems is growing, and requirements relating to safety, availability and sustainability are becoming increasingly stringent. At the same time, delivery capacity is under pressure. This calls for solutions that are faster, more manageable and more sustainable, including within underground rail infrastructure.

We are proud to have been recertified as both an ECM and a Railway Undertaking. This recertification enables us to continue organising the maintenance and operation of our wagon fleet independently for the next five years. The benefit for you as a customer? A high level of safety, operational reliability and reduced risks. In addition, rail transport availability is better controlled because maintenance, planning and operations are organised within a single organisation. This allows us to respond quickly and support rail projects with safe, reliable and predictable logistics services.

Intensive metro traffic, limited space and hardly any time for maintenance: at Amsterdam Zuid, all challenges of urban public transport come together. For GVB’s M3 and M4 metro lines, the crossing complex was designed and manufactured by our sister organisation voestalpine Turnout Technology Netherlands B.V., specifically with a view to long-term availability under these conditions.

Turnouts remain one of the most failure‑prone components in the Dutch railway network. Today, they operate under particularly challenging conditions. More intensive use, higher axle loads and increased service life requirements leave ever less room for disruptions and maintenance. In this complex operating environment, the choice of the right crossing can make all the difference. After all, the crossing is one of the most critical components of a turnout and often decisive for the quality and availability of an entire turnout system.

In rail infrastructure, it is not only about technology, but above all about people. Wenda Lamme, Sales Engineer ETM, is hands-on and ensures that customers quickly receive the right electrotechnical materials for their rail projects.

What still functions without issue in the railway today can suddenly become scarce tomorrow. With the official opening of our new legacy hall, we anticipate this reality. The hall serves as a central point for managing railstock and legacy materials and increases both the certainty and speed with which critical railway components are available.

The construction and maintenance of railways in challenging environments requires innovative solutions that guarantee the lifespan and reliability of the track. In environments with high humidity, limited ventilation, and a salty atmosphere, rails tracks are quickly affected. It is precisely under these conditions that our rubber coating proves its strength. In 2022, together with our sister company voestalpine Rail Technology, we supplied rails to Linea Figueras Perpignan (LFP) for use in the Perthus Tunnel between France and Spain, running through the Pyrenees. Three years later, our inspection confirmed that the coated rails are meeting the expected performance.

The underground infrastructure within the rail sector is evolving alongside the growing demands on power supply and system control. ProRail expects a significant increase in capacity and functionality, which calls for smart cable systems: quick to install, technically robust and made from sustainable, circular materials. By joining forces with PION Cable Protection, we now offer a complete range of smart and sustainable cable protection solutions.

It is not uncommon for certain parts of the rail infrastructure to be built using special structural designs. Examples include movable bridges, tunnels, depots, and workshops. Because these locations deviate from the standard infrastructure layout, extending the power supply can be difficult. In practice, traditional overhead line systems often lack the required installation height. For these types of challenges—found in both light rail and mixed trafficrail—we now offer high quality conductor rail solutions. In collaboration with Vijselaar Industrial Systems & Components, we have joined forces to provide a robust offering.

A successful rail project starts with oversight, clear communication, and efficient planning. Railproject Online is the digital platform that makes this possible — specially developed for everyone involved in rail infrastructure projects: from work planners and purchasers to site managers and project leaders. Registration is simple: if you already have an account on railpro.online, you can start using it straight away.

Amsterdam is growing, and with it the pressure on urban infrastructure is increasing. The GVB metro network forms the backbone of inter-city transport. The network is heavily used, which makes maintenance and renewal inevitable from time to time. That is why a large-scale renewal of the Amsterdam metro tracks is currently taking place. For this project, we not only supplied the rail products but also supported our client, VolkerRail, with the most suitable logistics solution: carefully coordinated transports of rail materials, contributing to efficient execution within the complex urban environment of Amsterdam.

For four years in a row, we’ve shared our favourite railway journeys in our voestalpine Travel Tip! blog — from the most impressive and unique to the sunniest and most cinematic. This year, we’re highlighting five European gems. Train journeys are not only comfortable but an experience in themselves. Along the way, you’ll enjoy spectacular views — from mountains to coastlines — and discover places you would never easily reach by car. Which gem will become your future destination?

A reliable and sustainable railway starts with proper material protection. Coating plays a crucial role: it extends the lifespan of rails and contributes to safe and efficient rail infrastructure. Every day we work on that quality, particularly on our coating line. Our colleague Mike Sertons is the driving force behind it. With his eye for detail and drive to improve, he ensures our products meet the highest standards. We spoke with Mike about his journey from operator to coating expert, his international experience, and his vision on innovation in our field.

ProRail has introduced a new product specification for the assembly of on-site bonded insulated rail joints (hereafter IRJs) directly in the track. This change, documented in ProRail’s Directive SPC00342-2, provides clear regulations and quality assurance, especially in locations where prefab insulated rail joints are not feasible, such as within a double-slip switch or in tight curves. Our new 4-hole NRG joint offers the ideal solution for such situations.

A safe and properly functioning railway starts with smart details — such as secured rail cable fixation. Rail cables are vital for the availability of the railway network, yet vulnerable to wear, stress, and mostly theft. A safe and secured installation using the specially developed universal rail cable mounting bracket from the Dutch producer GMO Rail ensures signaling cables, robustly fixed to the sleepers and being well protected. Often invisible, this bracket with its long lifespan proves to be a reliable and sustainable solution every day. A small product with a big impact.

Following earlier successful implementations in the Utrecht Provincial Tram Company, we are now introducing the digital delivery of switches via the zentrak platform in the Netherlands. This marks a new phase in the digitalisation of railway infrastructure — one in which data is made reliable, structured, centralised, and digitally accessible right from the source.

No fewer than 55 flatbed trucks were needed. The track renewal project in Groningen began on May 10 with the removal of old track sections. But where removal often marks the end of the line for railway materials, this project gives them a second life. The 55 trucks headed to our reuse and recycling facility in Hilversum, where the track sections are dismantled and undergo a thorough quality inspection. After that, materials are sorted and made available for reuse in the railway sector or for other recycling purposes.

Our expansive site in Hilversum brings together technology, innovation, and the logistics that come with it. Every day, we welcome colleagues, customers, suppliers, and other visitors – and we do so with great pleasure. There’s a lot to see and experience at Crailoo. But we want everyone not only to arrive with a good feeling but also to return home safely. That’s why we’re constantly taking steps to improve safety on the site. One of the latest measures is the addition of yellow markings at our level crossings.

The Utrecht Provincial Tram Company aims to deliver the best possible performance as a tram operator. It pursues this goal by staying one step ahead—and that’s exactly where our ambitions align. One step ahead is part of our vision for a reason. Together with Tram Utrecht, we are taking the first steps toward a digital infrastructure through the implementation of Zentrak—the digital knowledge portal for railway asset management.

Technological innovations on and around the railway, such as the installation of signaling systems and communication networks, often require modifications to the existing cable network. Infrastructure redesigns also regularly bring new challenges: cables and conduits must be relocated to make room for expanding tracks, stations, and other facilities.

The number of train passengers in the Netherlands is steadily increasing, and ProRail expects a 45% rise by 2030 compared to 2018. This growth presents major challenges for the railway network in terms of capacity and infrastructure. One of the busiest hubs is The Hague Central. Together with construction company BAM Infra Nederland and voestalpine Turnout Technology Netherlands, we have taken the first step towards increasing capacity and reliability.

LED lamps have gained popularity in recent years. These lamps are now available for an increasing number of applications within railway infrastructure as well. Not surprising, as the LED lamp has a long lifespan, is sustainable and robust, and has a low failure rate. Check out our extensive range in the webshop and discover the benefits.

In the rail infrastructure sector, precision and logistics are essential components for success. And if there’s anyone who experiences that up close, it’s our Robel train foreman, Pjotr Frenkel. We spoke with Pjotr, who makes sure everything runs smoothly — quite literally.

Metro Hong Kong is facing a challenge because some of the tunnels in the metro network are located in a humid environment. As a result, the network manager has to deal with corrosion on the rails caused by stray currents and moisture. In its search for a solution to this problem, the company came across voestalpine Railway Systems.

As a railway operator, it is important that a project can be executed as efficiently as possible. To have all the right materials available at the right time and in the right place is vital for having a successful project. Together with our partners, we took a closer look at the supply chain of a light rail project in The Hague, the Netherlands.

Last year was dubbed as the “European year of railway”, with the aim to promote travelling by train as a safe and sustainable means of transportation. In addition to safety and sustainability, travelling by train has many more advantages. For example, you can simply relax and enjoy the view, there is plenty of room to stretch your legs every now and then, you can use the phone or go on the internet, and the seats are often a lot more comfortable than the seats on a plane. This time in voestalpine travel tip!, five sunny railway routes within Europe.

Time passes by almost as quickly as the Hyperloop POD races through the tubes. Which brings us to our announcement: We are extremely proud to announce that the European Hyperloop Week of 2022 will take place on our very own premises Crailoo in Hilversum, the Netherlands!

It is the Week of Circular Economy in the Netherlands. This entire week focuses on circular entrepreneurship. From idea to development, where good collaboration is a key factor. A lot of possibilities lie ahead, especially in the area of sustainable travel.

Not a lot of people prefer working in the dark. However, working in the dark in the rail infrastructure is more frequently than not the reality. We managed to expand our ever growing portfolio by adding the RailLight product.

The European Union has declared 2021 as the ‘European year of the railway’ in order to promote the train as both a save and sustainable transport. And we at voestalpine Track Solutions Netherlands fully agree. After all, travelling by train is the best way to discover the most beautiful locations that cannot be reached by car. Enjoy a bite to eat and a lovely drink while fully enjoying the view during your travels. Now that Summer has finally arrived, we like to share five impressive railway routes within Europe you don’t want to miss:

We all enjoyed a beautiful winter’s week. However, what becomes visible underneath the snow and ice when the thaw sets in? Mud and road salt residues. Not the best conditions for the railway infrastructure, particularly for level crossings. Road salt and moisture, in combination with stray currents, bite into the rail, causing the metal to corrode fiercely. This process severely undermines the rail’s quality and increases the risk of premature rail replacement. Apart from hindrance to the train traffic, it is a costly affair for the maintenance contractor.

Access to the proper stock material at strategic locations, evenly distributed throughout the Netherlands. Our colleague Robbert van der Schaaf explains that outsourcing the stock management activities for local warehouses storing essential railway materials has several advantages.