Tata Steel's 41 GPU rails for Casablanca's new tramway

As the Casablanca line  runs through urban areas, it was essential to use embedded grooved rails in the construction, in order to allow cars, pedestrians and other vehicles to easily cross them.

 

The 41GPU rail has become a French market standard in just a few years, due to its ability to form a seamless, continuous running surface with flat-bottom ‘Vignole’ rail; the running surface of the 41GPU rail is identical to that of the 50E6 Vignole rail.

 

Rail Sector Head Gérard Glas said: “The universal rolling process developed by Tata Steel produces grooved rail with very precise tolerances that are as rigorous as those for adjoining Vignole rails. As a result, the service life of the infrastructure is extended and the comfort of passengers and residents who live close to railway lines is greatly improved.”

 

The 41 GPU is also a lower rail, measuring 3cm shorter in height than most other rails on the market. Not only does it require less steel to manufacture, but more importantly it significantly reduces tramway track bed construction costs. A market standard in France, Morocco and Algeria for several years now, it is available from stock to facilitate maintenance.

 

The entire stretch of Casablanca's T1 tramway line, as well as the service areas and maintenance depots, are laid with Tata Steel’s rail. Delivery of the rails began in December 2010, when they were shipped by barge from Hayange to the port of Antwerp, Belgium, and then by cargo vessel to Casablanca.