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• Chemical shippers endorse proposed study of PSR practices (6/22/2020)

Rail Industry Component:
Progress Rail A Caterpillar Company: TransPortable Welder

The Progress Rail Services TransPortable mobile flash-butt welding plant comes containerized via track or highway. The unit can be production-ready in 24 hours and uses a full-size welder that can handle quantities of 300 to 100,000 welds. The system provides its own power from a diesel generator. Rates in excess of 100 welds per eight-hour shift have been obtained, the company says. Vertical, horizontal and crown alignment are infinitely adjustable and this welding machine has the power to “upset to refusal” — providing welds that consistently meet or exceed AREMA specifications, the company says. The upset is sheared inside the welded box, where the temperature is high.