SLAB TRACK FOR HIGH SPEED LINES IN GERMANY

The history of slab track construction in Germany is described. A total of 155 km of double-track slab track has been constructed on the Cologne-Rhine/Main 300 km/hour high-speed line. The design parameters that led to slab track being chosen over ballast track for the high-speed line are outlined. Construction of the slab track on the new line is discussed with reference to the rail supports, concrete-embedded two-block sleepers, the Rheda and Zueblin systems, turnouts, bridges and expansion joints. The other slab track systems used in the high-speed network of DB Netz AG are outlined.