rail

Rail & Transport

Vulcanite manufactures and exports products to railway companies worldwide. Our core business is primary and secondary suspension components but also includes bushes, bearings, gangway seals, drawgear pads, bump stops and much more.

Product categories:

Primary Suspension

The primary suspension is located between the axle and the bogie. These spring elements transmit loads from the wheelsets to the bogie frame. The principal function of the primary suspension is to isolate the bogie from dynamic loads caused by track irregularities and guidance of the wheelsets. Primary suspension springs include chevrons, coil springs, journal bearings and conical springs.

View Products

Secondary Suspension

Secondary suspension components are located between the bogie and car body. They support the load of the car and allow the bogie to turn as the vehicle corners. The secondary suspension reduces dynamic accelerations acting on the car body which determines passenger comfort.

 

View Products

Bushes & Bearings

Bushes and bearings allow for transfer of loads while providing resilience and vibration damping.

 

View Products

Other Railway Products

Vulcanite supplies other railway products including gangway seals, bellows, resilient couplings, wheel isolators, drawgear packs and track isolators.

 

View Products

Hidden anchor point

 

Primary Suspension

Chevron Springs

Rail – Primary: Small Chevron

Chevron springs are widely used for axlebox primary suspensions of light rail, passenger and freight vehicles as well as locomotives. They are installed in pairs in a V-shaped configuration to provide compliance in the vertical, lateral and longitudinal directions. They are simple in design and provide good service life and low maintenance. They are the improved version of the traditional metal coil springs.

Mini Chevron

(H < 50 mm)

View product list

Small Chevron

(H: 50 mm to 100 mm)

View product list

Medium Chevron

(H: 100 mm to 140 mm)

View product list

Large Chevron

(H > 140 mm)

View product list

Interleaved Springs

Interleaved Springs

View product list

A simplified version of a chevron spring where the lateral stiffness is required to be low.

Rubberised Coil Springs

Rubberised Coil Springs

View product list

An alternative to the traditional metal coil springs found in some freight and passenger vehicles. They provide vertical sprung suspension. The rubber casing offers damping to the coil metal spring, increases its stiffness properties, reduces noise and protects the metal against corrosion and fretting fatigue.

Conical Springs

Conical Springs

View product list

Similar in concept to chevron springs but provide the same stiffness in lateral and longitudinal directions. They also permit a large variation in vertical and horizontal stiffness while fitting into a small space.

Rolling Rubber Springs

Rolling Rubber Springs

View product list

Consist of a rubber ‘donut’ inside a tapered housing. The rubber ring is not bonded to the metal. These springs allow a wide variety of adjustments based on the size of the rubber donut, the size of the mandrel, and the preload applied during installation.

Journal Pads

Journal Pads

View product list

These round rubber elements are vibration-insulating as well as shock-absorbing components that are arranged in pairs, as two halves around the bearing axle.

Frame Support Pads

Frame Support Pads

View product list

An earlier version of a conical spring. It provides insulation and dampening in the vertical, lateral, and longitudinal direction.

Suspension Bushes

Suspension Bushes

View product list

Absorb acceleration and deceleration shocks leading to improved vehicle dynamics and passenger comfort.


Hidden anchor point

 

Secondary Suspension

Side Bearer Mounts

Side Bearer Mounts

View product list

Installed as a pair to provide bolster suspension. They provide stability and a wide range of mobility, important when the vehicle is turning when fully loaded.

Layer Springs

Layer Springs

View product list

Especially ideal for absorbing large loads due to the configuration of several metal plates bonded to rubber layers.

Emergency Springs

Emergency Springs

View product list

Provide cushioning when airbags fail to work or are not operating.

Bolster Springs

Bolster Springs

View product list

These components are installed in groups of four to provide bolster suspension. They can be installed vertically or inclined at an angle to increase their overall stiffness. They provide stability and a wide range of mobility, important when the vehicle is turning fully loaded.

Buffers and Bump Stops

Buffers and Bump Stops

View product list

Typically made of a hard rubber compound to absorb sudden shocks, prevent overrun and reduce movement without considerable rebound.

Gearbox & Motor Mounts

Gearbox & Motor Mounts
View product list
Control vibration and sound transmission of rotary components, particularly during acceleration and deceleration.


Hidden anchor point

 

Bushes & Bearings

Spherical Bearings

Spherical Bearings
View product list
Ideal for providing dampening in joints without lubrication, due to its spherical shape, where movement in all directions is required.

Spherical Bushes

Spherical Bushes
View product list
Ideal for providing dampening in joints without lubrication, due to its spherical shape, where movement in all directions is required.

Cylindrical Bearingss

Cylindrical Bearings
View product list
Appropriate for dampening axial, radial, torsional and conical loads on links.

Cylindrical Bushes

Cylindrical Bushes
View product list
Appropriate for dampening axial, radial, torsional and conical loads on links.

Drive Links & Bushings

Drive Links & Bushings
View product list
Appropriate for dampening axial, radial, torsional and conical loads on links.

Radius Arm Bearings

Radius Arm Bearings
View product list
Utilised to guide a wheelset over the axle guide. Failure of this function can lead to derailment.

Anti-Roll Bar Bearings

Anti-Roll Bar Bearings
View product list
Used to support anti-roll bars and torsion bar suspension systems.

Rubber Bushings

Rubber Bushings
View product list
Appropriate for dampening axial, radial, torsional and conical loads on links


Hidden anchor point

 

Other Railway Products

Gangway Seals & Diaphragms

Gangway Seals & Diaphragms
View product list
A resilient, non-structural and flexible component used to seal between cars on passenger vehicles.

Bellows

Bellows
View product list
Resilient and flexible seals to protect joints against dust and liquids.

Resilient Couplings

Resilient Couplings
View product list
Resilient couplings allow the transmission of torque between two shafts while absorbing any shock generated during acceleration or deceleration.

Wheel Isolators

Wheel Isolators
View product list
Typically used inside the wheels of light rail vehicles. They provide vibration insulation and shock absorption while protecting the wheels against abrasive wear and tear. They reduce the level of noise and improve passenger’s comfort.

Drawgear Packs

Drawgear Packs
View product list
Drawgear packs or pads are modular rubber components that are installed at the coupling between cars to absorb large dynamic and impact loads in both draw and buff modes.

Buffers and Stops

Buffers and Bump Stops
View product list
Typically made of a hard rubber compound to absorb sudden shocks, prevent overrun and reduce movement without considerable rebound.

Track Isolator Rubbers

Track Isolator Rubbers
View product list
Drawgear packs or pads are modular rubber components that are installed at the coupling between cars to absorb large dynamic and impact loads in both draw and buff modes.