Pre-cast Rail Solutions

CEMEX Rail Products are the largest supplier of concrete sleepers and crossing bearers to the rail industry.

CEMEX have over 20 years experience in manufacturing pre-stressed concrete sleepers and crossing bearers which are used in high speed, main-line railway track applications and railway lines.

Our purpose built factory in Washwood Heath, situated at prime trackside site, incorporates the latest state of the art production and quality control equipment and procedures. In addition our Somercotes factory which first opened in 2003 has capacity to produce 540 linear meters of bearers per day.

CEMEX Rail Products have an invaluable reputation within the sleeper market, our market knowledge and understanding of customer requirements is paramount to our success.

Crossing Bearers

Since entering the Crossing Bearer market in 1999, CEMEX Rail Products have developed and expanded their production and process capabilities by investing in a new production facility at Somercotes, Derbyshire. This factory site is dedicated to the manufacture of top quality Crossing Bearers to suit most BS113A or CEN60E1 rail configurations utilising modern CAD/CAM technology.

Concept to Reality

From an initial CAD design, CEMEX Rail Products have the technology to transform a design concept to the reality of an operational S&C layout, quickly, cost effectively and accurately. Utilising CNC equipment, bearer details can be extracted from CAD drawings and transferred electronically into digitally controlled processes, enabling bespoke bearers to be processed within minutes of their design. This flexibility enables urgently and specially designed bearers to be processed and shipped for assembly or installation within twenty four hours of design if necessary.  CEMEX bearers can be manufactured to accommodate both BS113A and CEN60E1 rail sections in vertical or inclined S&C layouts along with any type of rail section or fastening system

Pre-Cast Sleepers

CEMEX Rail Products are the largest supplier of concrete sleepers and crossing bearers to the rail industry.

Pretensioned monoblock sleepers have been in use for over 60 years. During this time developments in design, testing and rail fastening have led to a range of high performance, high quality sleepers. The monoblock design provides a sleeper that maintains its geometry regardless of the conditions it’s placed in – a feature particularly important for the track gauge and rail seat inclinations.

The sleepers also provide excellent electrical resistance which is necessary for track circuiting. Due to its pretensioning any small cracks, caused by accidental damage such as derailments, automatically close owing the sleeper to remain serviceable. The weight of the sleeper, its end face design and the large soffit area in touch with the ballast all help provide excellent track stability. The size of the soffit area also helps minimise ballast pressures and attrition.

By using the highest quality concrete the durability of the sleeper is ensured - being resistant to the decay expected from exposure to weather, chemicals, fungus, insects and abrasion. Sleepers fitted with direct rail fastenings are ideally suited for the high output sleeper renewal methods – which minimise both installation and subsequent track maintenance costs.

All sleepers and bearers manufactured meet Network Rail specifications: NR/SP/TRK/030, plus the draft European Standard for sleepers. They also meet CEMEX Rail Products’ own rigorous quality standards.

Speed of Delivery

By using the CNC equipment a typical layout can be supplied at relatively short notice. Stocks of deep bearers are held at the factory in readiness to be customised to specific requirements. Concrete bearers for BS113A or CEN60E1 design with Vossloh inserts are manufactured when required to meet the bespoke Base Plate configurations.

National coverage

Our factory’s strategic Midlands based, line-side position ensures that national distribution by rail is easy. We have national coverage and a proven track record with using our sidings for fast and efficient loading. If delivery by rail is not an option then the sites close proximity to the country’s main motorways enables rapid delivery by road when required.

Focused on solutions

Our commitment to continual improvement ensures that we always work with the customer – seeking to find the best solutions to any problems faced. Whether it’s a production, quality or design improvement we welcome comment and discussion from customers. All types of sleepers and bearers can be supplied and if specialist designs are required then a suitable solution can be found.

Committed to quality

Right from the start CEMEX Rail Products have been committed to quality – a commitment that was recognised when we received our ISO 9001:2008 Quality Assurance accreditation. We were also awarded the distinction of becoming an Accredited Supplier as part of the British Rail Boards Supplier Development initiative, a scheme designed to improve performance by encouraging closer relations between supplier and customer – giving each the opportunity to learn from the other.