During early July Arc Infrastructure's Flashbutt Rail team completed the fabrication of the 1,000th 110m length of rail produced at the Kenwick Freight Rail Facility since it commenced operations in January.
By the end of 2023 the Flashbutt team expect to have produced more than 170 kilometres of rail – or the equivalent distance from the Arc’s Bravo office to Bunbury.
Rail is delivered to the facility in 27.5m lengths, and then welded into the 110m lengths, before being transported across Arc’s network to wherever works are being undertaken.
A flashbutt weld is a welding process that involves inputting a massive electric current through both pieces of rail being joined.
This electric current makes the rail so hot that after about a minute and a half, it is possible to push the two rail pieces together.
This process, after some grinding and measuring activities, creates a seamless connection between the two pieces of metal, which is critical to meet safety and speed requirements across Arc’s network.
Head of Maintenance Support Tim Underwood said the volume of rail which had been welded to date was thanks to the brilliant efforts of the Flashbutt Team, as well as warehouse and Kenwick office employees.
“Thank you to everyone who has helped along the way, this is a fantastic milestone for Arc to have achieved.”
“This team are playing a vital role enabling Arc to undertake, and complete, planned maintenance activities across the network,” said Mr Underwood.
The rail lengths produced at Kenwick are being transported across the network for use in regional re-rail and third-party projects being completed across Arc’s network.
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