Review: 9th Railway Talk on: Solutions for Switches

26. 03. 2025

Review: 9th Railway Talk – “Solutions for Switches”

On 11 March 2025, UEEIV held its 9th Railway Talk, centered on a critical yet often under-appreciated part of rail infrastructure: switches (turnouts). UEEIV+2UEEIV+2

What was discussed

The webinar brought together two insightful presentations that offered practical and innovative maintenance ideas for switches:

  1. Improving Asset Reliability and Asset Life
    Rob Taylor (Interflon UK) introduced Interflon’s lubrication-coating technology, explaining how it can significantly boost the reliability and longevity of switch components. UEEIV

    • He shared real-world data on how clients using these coatings saw improved MTBF (mean time between failures), demonstrating the strong maintenance and performance benefits. UEEIV

    • Best practices for applying these coatings were also discussed, which is valuable for maintenance teams aiming to integrate them into existing workflows. UEEIV

  2. Switch point rollers – more than rolling instead of sliding
    Robert Kollouch (Wieland Austria / AUSTROROLL®) presented a lubricant-free alternative: roller-bearing devices for switch points. UEEIV

    • These rollers reduce friction and wear because they roll rather than slide, which can extend the life of the turnout. UEEIV

    • Because they require less lubrication, they’re also more environmentally friendly — a considerable plus in modern rail maintenance. UEEIV

    • From a safety viewpoint, fewer lubrication operations means a lower risk for maintenance staff in dangerous zones. UEEIV

Key Take-Aways

Here are some of the main insights and implications that came out of the talk:

  • Longer switch life: Using advanced coatings or roller systems can substantially increase the durability and reliability of switch components.

  • Reduced maintenance burden: Lubrication-free rollers or efficient coating systems help reduce how often maintenance crews must intervene — freeing up resources and time.

  • Sustainability & safety: Less reliance on lubricants means fewer chemicals, lower environmental impact, and fewer staff exposures to risk.

  • Real-world data matters: The presentation by Interflon included MTBF data, showing that these aren’t just theoretical improvements but proven in practice.

Why this talk was important

Switches are among the most maintenance-intensive parts of rail infrastructure, but they are also critical for network safety and capacity. By focusing on “solutions for switches,” the 9th Railway Talk addressed a niche but high-impact area.

For infrastructure managers and maintenance teams, the technologies discussed represent a way to optimize upkeep, cut costs long-term, and improve reliability — without compromising safety or environmental standards.

Download presentations and watch video

If you’re interested in the technical details, you can download the presenters’ slides and materials from the UEEIV event archive.