Rail welding at TfL
Request ID: FOI-2226-2021
Date published: 16 February 2021
You asked
I would like to ask some questions about rail welding at the London Underground.
I would like to know:
- How many rail welds were produced in 2019?
- Of these welds, what was the welding method (e.g. aluminothermic weld, flash butt welding)?
- How many flash butt welding machines does the London Underground own?
- Does the London Underground use mobile flash-butt welding machines for in-situ welds? Or just aluminothermic weld.
Thank you,
We answered
TfL Ref 2226-2021
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 3 February 2021 asking for information about rail welding data on the London Underground.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
Your questions and our replies are as follows:
- How many rail welds were produced in 2019?
4975 in total.
- Of these welds, what was the welding method (e.g. aluminothermic weld, flash butt welding)?
2534 were on site aluminothermic welds and 2441 were flashbutt welds
- How many flash butt welding machines does the London Underground own?
x1 static flashbutt machine
- Does the London Underground use mobile flash-butt welding machines for in-situ welds? Or just aluminothermic weld
We have used mobile flashbutt in the past but none were carried out using this equipment in 2019.
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Yours sincerely
Sara Thomas
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
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