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Third Rail

84C, 85C, and BART bi-metallic composite third rail, as well as stainless steel capped aluminum third rail.

close up of three bars of rail.

L.B. Foster offers a wide range of third rail systems including bi-metallic composite, aluminum, and cast third rails in 84C, 85C, BART, and 150# rail profiles.

There are three basic contact rail systems in worldwide use today, and Transit Products can provide whichever fits your system best.  Each has its own unique advantages. 

Steel rail/aluminum composite rail consists of aluminum strips fastened to the webbing of conventional or specially designed steel rail. The steel rail provides the height, wear surface, and base; the aluminum strip provides high conductivity. The steel and aluminum elements are joined by Huck-type fasteners assuring good steel-to- aluminum contact. 

Aluminum rail provides the best available electrical performance per pound of installed weight. The aluminum body is attached to a stainless-steel wear strip. The aluminum provides high conductivity, while the stainless steel provides collector shoe wear capability matching that of steel rail.

Traditional non-composite steel rail, of course, has the longest performance record and has served reliably on many systems for over fifty years. At best, however, its electrical performance is half as good as the newer and more advanced systems described above. In addition, steel rail's weight per foot is greater as compared to the other two systems. 

Customers include virtually all North American heavy rail transit systems.  84C, 85C, BART and 150# third rail profiles available. 

Discover the benefits of our contact rail's extraordinary performance and economy can bring to your transit operation.

close-up of two rail bars.

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