STRAIL

STRAIL is the registered trademark of Gummiwerk KRAIBURG Elastik GmbH, 84529 Tittmoning, for level crossing systems.
The trademark is used for a system which consists of fully vulcanized rubber panels. Due to its modular design and a variety of products, it is possible to find the perfect solution for any level crossing. The STRAIL product range of level crossing panels includes an entire array of solutions for all types of level crossings.

All STRAIL® level crossing panels are manufactured using recycled rubber and virgin rubber.
A special feature is the fact that the entire panel is fully vulcanized using a patented production process. On the basis of this complex production process - and compared to other products - it is possible to achieve superior properties and a much longer service life.

Depending on road and rail load, as well as individual local conditions, a perfectly suited product can be certainly found within the STRAIL® portfolio. It is generally recommended to consult the responsible STRAIL employee, who will gladly assist you in finding the right product for your respective area of application.

Basically, all STRAIL products are suitable for all types of track superstructures. Since the rubber panels rest on the sleepers, they adapt to the geometry of the sleepers.  Thus, a dimensionally accurate solution exists for each rail/sleeper/fastening combination.

*also available for narrow and broad gauge, e.g. 1000 mm or 1524 mm
** Height dependent on rail type and fastening;

* Data for S54 rail, B70W concrete sleeper, 600 mm long panel

A range of options exists on how to connect to the road, depending on the respective load of the road. In addition to the simple option of surfacing with asphalt, a more permanent version using concrete curbstones is increasingly being used. In any case, the installation instructions must be strictly observed!

The skid resistance of the STRAIL® surface has been continuously improved over the last years. The patented corundum surface and the rhombus design with pyramid point guarantee highest possible skid resistance in all conditions.
Skid resistance is determined by the "SRT value". 55 SRT units; meet the approval requirements of the Eisenbahn-Bundesamt (EBA = Federal Railway Authority)

Our complex, full vulcanization of the panels results in a significantly higher durability of our panels, compared to other products using a polyurethane binder. Lifetimes between 10 and 15 years are the rule, depending on the traffic load of the level crossing. In the meantime, installation lifetimes of 25 years are no longer uncommon.

By design, the STRAIL® system requires no regular maintenance. When properly installed according to installation instructions, the system is virtually maintenance-free.

On principle, our STRAIL system is suitable for all crossing angles. In case of angles starting at 65° or 115° additional movement stoppers are installed, which prevent the panels from sliding and creating cracks.

Special panels, which are dimensionally accurate, are manufactured in coordination with our design department for the full-surface covering in the area of the center and end parts of switches.

Full-surface covering is not possible within the areas of the frog and the points. A special construction is necessary for rail distances below 400 mm; rail distances should not be less than 150 mm.

On principle, full-surface covering of radii is unproblematic.  Very tight radii are covered with a specific number of special radii panels.

The patented tie rod system has been in use since 1997. This system ensures that all panels are locked into a compact package, which greatly improves position stability. Using this system, cracks created by moving panels (especially in case of diagonal traffic) or shrinkage of the panels have become a thing of the past.

End brackets are positioned at each last panel and bolted to the sleeper. In the past, these additional movement stoppers were usually used in cases of very high traffic load in combination with a small crossing angle. Today, end restraints are generally used for such applications.

The end restraint is a safeguard for high-load crossings with diagonal traffic and has replaced the end brackets used previously.

Sleeper hooks are used in combination with end restraints (see above).
As an alternative to screwing the end bracket to the sleeper, the end bracket is fastened to the sleeper hook, which in turn rests against the (concrete) sleeper.

All products belonging to the STRAIL family have been approved and installed in nearly all major railroad countries.
We are happy to answer any specific questions you may have concerning this subject.

Gummiwerk KRAIBURG Elastik GmbH in D-84529 Tittmoning has been certified in accordance with DIN ISO 9001 since 1994.
In addition, audits as well as evaluations by suppliers are carried out on a regular basis at our company. For several years now STRAIL has been a proud Q1 supplier of the Deutsche Bahn AG, as well as an A1 supplier of the SNCF (French National Railway Company).

Ponti comes from Latin and means „bridge“. Since the aluminum bearers only rest on the rail base and the curbstone they thereby form a bridge over the ballast bed.

pontiSTRAIL is purely an outer panel system. Currently, inner panels are not in development. When looking for inner panels the right product is usually STRAIL (600 or 1200 version).

pontiSTRAIL is particularly suitable for level crossings with a high percentage of heavy vehicle traffic on the street. Likewise, pontiSTRAIL is advantageous for level crossings with cant, since the bearers do not rest on the sleeper.

• Long-lasting high SRT value
• Bearers and panels can be installed manually
• Due to the wide bearer at the rail base and curbstone the system doesn‘t „wobble“
• Aluminum is relatively flexible
• Rubber bearers with little deformation; in addition they are fixed to the aluminum bearer
• Horizontal track position changes, e.g. after track maintenance are tolerated due to the adjusting wedge (up to +/- 6 mm)

The system was subjected to various tests (e.g. 6-week-long salt spray test).
Aluminum is highly permanently resistant to normal weather conditions such as water, temperatures etc.

The Technische Universität München (Technical University Munich) has carried out many static and dynamic tests. The following results, which are based on the production version of the bearer, are available:

Target: 2 million load changes at a load of 35 kN

2 bearers were subjected to 2.16 million and 2.18 million load changes respectively, while a third bearer was to be stressed until it failed. The test was finally terminated at 6.34 million cycles, since no changes could be observed.

Afterwards, the three prestressed bearers, as well as a new bearer were subjected to a static test. The bearer, which was prestressed with 6.34 million cycles, broke at a static load of 197 kN. All other bearers exceeded the testing machine’s maximum power of 200 kN.

Compared to STRAIL, innoSTRAIL can be laid even faster and therefore more economically, due to its panel size of 90 cm and based on the fact that it does not use filler blocks.  Textile reinforcements in the area of the tongue and groove connection provide a very high degree of durability. 

innoSTRAIL is always a good choice when truck traffic is low and at moderate speeds. Typical applications are residential areas or secondary roads.

innoSTRAIL panels are 90 cm long and can, in principle, be laid regardless of the respective sleeper spacing.

Designed for level crossings of all types, veloSTRAIL has shown to be extremely handicapped accessible and cyclist-friendly, particularly in urban areas.

When correctly installed at least one million axle crossings or two years, depending on which event occurs first. The formation of a rail groove in the wear part is normal and does not affect functionality. Owing to the principles involved, the rail groove, however, cannot become larger than 20 x 20 mm. It therefore already complies with the planned EU Directive concerning “at-grade” level crossings.

The static force required to depress the veloSTRAIL wear part is well below 1 kN. Normal rolling stock exert a much higher force.

Besides using rubber materials especially developed for this purpose, a number of constructional measures have been taken.

• Precisely fitting dovetail joint connecting inner panel and wear part
• Safeguard to prevent longitudinal movement integrated in each panel and wear part
• Barbs grab under the rail head

It is only necessary to remove the wear parts which need to be exchanged (see assembly instructions) and replace them with new wear parts. The inner panels remain in the track. Removal and installation are quick and under certain circumstances can even be done in the period between trains.

"pede" is derived from the Latin word "pedes" (pedestrian) and thus gives an indication of the main field of application, namely primarily pedestrian crossings, but also crossings for cyclists.

As the name suggests (see above), the main applications are to be found in the area of crossings for pedestrians and cyclists. However, numerous possibilities also exist to use pedeSTRAIL at railroad stations, stops, depots or industrial plants.

pedeSTRAIL is the right product when looking for a solution for the full-surface covering of pedestrian and/or cyclist crossings. Recesses on the underside of the panels reduce their weight, making handling them so much easier.

In principle, pedeSTRAIL can be laid regardless of the respective sleeper spacing.

Generally, pedeSTRAIL is only suitable for low weights (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.) Emergency crossings (e.g. by rescue vehicles) are possible at low speed.

A continuous covering is very often wanted at level crossings, where crossings for pedestrians or cyclists run very closely along a street.

All products belonging to the STRAIL family have the same connection features (tongue and groove; connection tie rods) and are therefore fully compatible.

The STRAIL road marking-S spray can is currently available in pure white and rape yellow. The colour paste for the STRAIL road marking is available in pure white, yellow and red (additional colours are available on request).

Yes, we also have an applicator, road marking templates in various line widths, a hand roller and STRAIL chalk line.

Yes, colour fastness is not affected by the method of color application!

Yes, but only panels for pedestrians and cyclists (-> pedeSTRAIL system).

Yes, STRAIL road marking also adheres to surfaces like concrete and asphalt. However, do not use STRAIL primer on these surfaces! STRAIL assumes no warranty when using STRAIL color marking on concrete or asphalt!

One spray can is enough for approx. 4 m, based on a line width of approx. 10 cm. Generally, the following holds true:  1 liter per sqm.

Yes, the necessary resistance values can be achieved by sprinkling additives onto the freshly applied paint. Glass pearls or coloured quartz sand can be used depending on the area of application.

Surface skinning sets in after approx. 2 hours. Trafficability is achieved after approx. 6 hours.
The area is thoroughly dry after approx. 12 hours (depending on surface and ambient temperature).

By using an airless sprayer, a hand roller or the STRAIL road marking-S spray can.

An airless sprayer is recommended for bigger areas, whereas a hand roller or STRAIL road marking-S spray can may be used for smaller level crossings or repair work.