Curve Patch Welding

In every railroad's rail replacement program, re-laying or "patching" curves is a very high priority element.  Most railroads operate small gangs which move from curve to curve, and consequently lay only 1-3 strings of rail per day.  In these circumstances, with a potential low daily weld count, the railroads historically did not consider this a cost-effective application for electric flash-butt welding.

Then, in 2004, with the introduction of Puller-Lite technology, that attitude began to change.  Holland® promoted the ideas that:

1. Since the railroads were typically placing their highest cost per foot rail asset (typically 136 or 141 lb rail, often head-hardened) in the curves, it makes sense to put them in place with the best quality fastening method-electric flash-butt welding.
2. Puller-Lite's closure welding capability enabled the gang to complete their curve patching job each day, without leaving behind joints that have to be thermite welded on a subsequent track occupancy.  On heavy tonnage main lines, every track maintenance event bears a substantial opportunity cost in lost freight hauling revenue.

These ideas have caught on in a big way, and between 2005-2008, curve patching has been the largest area of growth for Holland's mobile welding business.