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APEX Award

Insulated Railroad Joint
Submission Image Material Supplier: E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.

Designer: NorFast Inc.

OEM: NorFast Inc.
Product Description
NorFast Insulated Joints join rail sections in tracks while maintaining signal (current) isolation.  The NIJ-625 and NIJ-720 insulated joints come with two-piece saddles which allow quick and easy installation of the joints.  These products are intended for railway companies.
Why is the product innovative?

 The NIJ-720 and NIJ-625 provide signal reliability, last longer than conventional IJs and offer the following features:

Strength:

  • Section modulus of NIJ-720 is same as that of the rail
  • Thimble and insulator stress reduced up to 75%
  • Saddle prvides redundancy and overall increases joint strength

Savings:

  • Saves two temporary joints in new construction
  • Eliminates two welds in all constructions
  • Saves shipping and handling of long rail plugs

Simplicity:

  • User-replaceable modular components that install fast
  • Smaller pallet of parts vs. long rail plugs

Productivity:

  • Floating joint system for fast in-field installation
  • Fits any type of track
  • Saddle can be installed without displacing adjacing ties and crib
  • At rail change out, replace only the insulators for brand new joint

Reliability:

  • Patented thimble design for superior signal isolation
  • Resistivity >1012 W at 500V
  • Insulator is UV stabilized
  • Reduces train delays associated with IJ failures
  • Reduces IJ-related FRA defects
  • Saddle ensures proper tie spacing
  • Saddle provides extra anchorage against rail longitudinal movement
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