Turnout Systems

Description

Underground Mining Turnouts

ZMS supplies high-strength underground mining turnouts designed to guide locomotives and rolling stock safely and efficiently between tracks. Also known as rail switches or points, these systems provide the routing flexibility required across underground haulages, crosscuts, declines, shaft bottoms and rail yards.

Manufactured from high-grade carbon steel, each turnout can be custom-built to suit the required rail profile, track gauge, configuration and operating method.

Key features

• High-strength construction for demanding underground conditions
• Precision alignment for reliable rail movement
• Durable and corrosion-resistant components
• Custom-built to suit project and mine specifications
• Available in left-hand and right-hand configurations
• Manual, spring-operated or mechanised switch options
• Red, painted or galvanised finish options
• Traceability aligned with ISO 9001 requirements

Available components

A complete turnout assembly may include:

• Switch rails
• Stock rails
• Frog or crossing
• Check rails
• Tie bars
• Operating mechanism
• Fasteners

Applications

Underground Mining Turnouts are suitable for:

• Gold, platinum, chrome and other underground mines
• Locomotive haulage routes
• Haulages, crosscuts and declines
• Shaft-bottom rail infrastructure
• Underground rail yards and sidings
• Ore and material transport systems

Technical specifications

• Rail profiles: 15kg, 22kg and 30kg
• Track gauge: 600mm to 914mm
• Material: High-grade carbon steel
• Configuration: Left-hand or right-hand
• Switch operation: Manual, spring-operated or mechanised
• Finish options: Red, painted or galvanised
• Compliance: Manufactured to mine-specific requirements with reference to SANS 10339:2009

Benefits to mining operations

• More efficient routing of locomotives and rolling stock
• Reduced congestion across underground rail networks
• Greater operational flexibility
• Improved track safety and stability
• Reliable performance in demanding mining conditions

Installation and maintenance

Turnouts should be installed on correctly aligned sleepers using the appropriate fastening system. Regular inspections should assess track alignment, rail wear, operating components and bolt tightness to maintain safe and reliable operation.

Contact ZMS with your required rail profile, track gauge, turnout direction, operating method, finish and quantity for a project-specific quotation.