Rail Infrastructure Services

Enhance safety and reliability while reducing costs for your rail network infrastructure. Element's ISO 17025 accredited comprehensive testing and analysis services help you prevent service failures, extend infrastructure lifespans, and ensure regulatory compliance. Partner with our rail testing experts to select optimal materials for your critical railway infrastructure components, improving performance and minimizing maintenance requirements.

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What are Rail Infrastructure Services at Element?

Rail Infrastructure Services involve comprehensive testing and analysis of railway components and materials to verify safety, performance, and durability. This testing helps you select the best materials for your project and minimize service failures while ensuring your rail network infrastructure meets required standards. At Element, we work directly with railway industry steel manufacturers involved in infrastructure projects to enhance material lifespan and eliminate potential failures when in service.

Two Element testing experts in laboratory safety equipment ready for testing

What can Element offer you for Rail Infrastructure Services?

Key tests offered

Element's comprehensive testing portfolio addresses every aspect of rail infrastructure performance and safety. We deliver precise, reliable results that help you meet regulatory requirements while optimizing material selection and maintenance intervals. Our accredited testing capabilities provide the documentation you need to demonstrate compliance.

Destructive testing
Non-destructive testing
Structural testing
Failure analysis
Bending stress and flexural strength rail testing
Rail fatigue and compression testing
Chemical analysis
Metallography
Structural testing
Coating performance testing
Corrosion resistance testing

Materials and components we test

We test critical rail infrastructure materials and components to verify their performance under demanding railway conditions. Our testing helps you make confident decisions about material selection and maintenance schedules, preventing costly failures and service disruptions. From track sections to fastening systems and structural supports, we analyze the mechanical properties, structural integrity, and environmental resistance of your railway materials.

Rail track sections and components
Fastening systems and connectors
Structural supports and foundations
Metallic infrastructure materials
Protective coatings and treatments

Methods and solutions offered

We employ advanced methodologies that go beyond basic testing to provide actionable insights for your rail infrastructure projects. Our solutions help you improve performance, extend service life, and reduce maintenance costs while ensuring regulatory compliance. Our failure analysis capabilities help you understand and prevent potential issues before they impact operations.

Calibration Measuring services with validation
Consultancy services
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulation
Chemical analysis
Metallography
Advanced numerical modeling
Rail fatigue and compression testing
Consultancy services

Which labs offer this service

Our team operates from rail, transportation and manufacturing hubs across the world, providing global access to our expert capabilities. Find your nearest lab on our Locations Page.

Materials and components we test

These are our most prevalent requests. Don't see what you're looking for? Contact us!

Rail infrastructure components

Rail tracks and sections
Track components
Fastening systems and connectors
Structural supports
Protective coatings
Signaling equipment and controls
Railway bridges and structural elements
Power distribution systems
Platform and station infrastructure
Tunnels, stations, and trackside fencing (via our sister company Warringtonfire)

Metallic materials

Steel alloys for rail applications
Welded connections and joints
Metal fasteners and connectors
Structural metals

Your Challenges, Our Solutions

Safety standard compliance

Your railway infrastructure must meet strict safety standards while remaining cost-effective. Our ISO 17025 accredited testing services verify compliance with required standards while identifying opportunities to optimize materials performance and longevity for your rail network infrastructure.

Material failure risk

Unexpected material failures lead to costly downtime and safety risks for your railway operations. Our comprehensive failure analysis capabilities help you identify potential weak points before they cause service disruptions, minimizing maintenance costs and improving overall system reliability.

Material selection challenges

Choosing the right materials significantly impacts long-term costs and performance of your rail infrastructure. We help you select and apply the best material for each project, increasing overall quality and reliability to minimize service failures while reducing lifetime costs.

Infrastructure durability concerns

Rail components face extreme conditions that accelerate wear and compromise performance. Our fatigue testing, corrosion analysis, and advanced numerical modeling provide insights to maximize component lifespans and develop effective maintenance schedules for your critical infrastructure assets.

Why Choose Element

Element testing specialist standing among environmental test chambers in product testing lab

Rail-specific testing expertise

Benefit from our specialized knowledge of railway infrastructure materials and components.

Comprehensive analysis capabilities

Access our full range of destructive, non-destructive, and failure analysis services through one provider.

Nearly 190 years' experience

Trust in testing expertise built on almost two centuries of materials science knowledge.

Global railway testing network

Partner with our experts for consistent, reliable service worldwide, conveniently located near industry hubs.

But don't just take our word for it

See what others want to say about partnering with Element

Hitachi Rail Europe Fire Testing
Hitachi Rail Europe. Element provided fire testing of structural materials including coated steel, coated glass reinforced plastic, and interior upholstery and