The Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), a key entity under the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), has successfully dispatched 4,000 tonnes of R350 heat-treated (HT) rails to the Indian Railways. This milestone is part of the ongoing efforts to support the national transporter’s modernization initiatives aimed at enabling faster rail transportation with higher axle loads.
The recent shipments, comprising four rakes of 1,000 tonnes each, mark a significant achievement for BSP’s modern universal rail mill. Responding to the Indian Railways’ demand for advanced rail materials, BSP has been producing both micro-alloyed R260 grade rails and the specialized R350 HT rails. These HT rails are specifically designed for segments of the rail network where increased axle loads and higher speeds necessitate superior durability and friction resistance.
Commercial production of the R350 HT rails commenced in October 2023 following successful trials and approvals from the research departments of SAIL and Indian Railways. The first batch, consisting of 1,000 tonnes of 260-meter-long R350 HT rails, was dispatched on October 31, 2023. Since then, BSP has continued to fulfill these orders, demonstrating its capability and commitment to meeting the advanced requirements of the Railways.
“BSP has been a reliable partner to Indian Railways for over six decades, consistently delivering high-quality rails in the required grades. The production of the R350 HT rails signifies our ability to innovate and adapt to the evolving needs of rail transportation,” said a spokesperson from Bhilai Steel Plant.
The universal rail mill at BSP is renowned for rolling out the world’s longest rails, with single-piece lengths reaching up to 130 meters. Additionally, the plant supplies 260-meter welded rail panels to the Railways, further enhancing the efficiency and safety of rail operations.
In line with fulfilling the need for micro-alloyed rails, SAIL-Bhilai developed the R260 grade rails with a new 60 E1 profile. This new grade, which has more stringent norms and specifications than the previously produced Grade-880 or UTS-90 rails, has been in production and supplied to Indian Railways since July 2022.
On April 24, SAIL-Bhilai achieved another significant milestone by dispatching three rakes of R350 HT rails alongside 56 rakes of R260 rails in a “combo rolling” mode. The production of the fourth rake of HT rails was completed in just three days, with an average of 10 hours of rolling per day, indicating a significant improvement in production efficiency and prime acceptance rates.
The continued collaboration between SAIL-Bhilai and Indian Railways not only highlights BSP’s technical prowess and adaptability but also underscores its pivotal role in the ongoing modernization and enhancement of India’s railway infrastructure.
