Rail Brush Rail head maintenance for improved adhesion and detection to increase safety.

- Pneumatrol has served the railway industry for over 60 years, specialising in the design and manufacture of high-integrity pneumatic components and control systems.
- The Rail Brush is a unique product from Pneumatrol. It’s a track head conditioning system to clean rail lines.
- Small footprint - less space required for fitment
- GPS system available for automatic deployment and retraction
- Increased tine life thanks to the patented double piston assembly
- Low cost of operation
- Low maintenance
HOW IT WORKS
The Rail Brush sits underneath the train. The brush head is made from a set of spring steel tines, which is raised and lowered by a pneumatic cylinder, and as a result, it will scrub any surface it passes over.
The Sleet Brush is a well-proven, extremely heavy-duty product with a history of long life and has been fitted to trains since 1990.
APPLICATIONS
The Sleet Brush is fitted to all London Underground lines that work above ground as well as to the Network Rail MPV’s and during the winter months the Sleet Brush is used to clear away sleet and snow from the third-rail power lines.
SNCF in France is using the sleet brush for the purpose of clearing the tracks of leaves and cleaning the rail head to enable track circuits to work more effectively and to improve braking efficiency.
IMPORTANCE OF RAIL HEAD CONDITIONING
Rail head conditioning is critical for several reasons:
- Improved Adhesion: Clean rail surfaces enhance the grip between train wheels and the track, especially in adverse weather conditions, reducing the risk of wheel slip.
- Enhanced Signal Detection: Removing insulating materials like leaves ensures that track circuits function correctly, which is vital for train detection and signaling systems.
- Increased Safety: By maintaining optimal rail conditions, the risk of accidents due to poor braking or signal failures is significantly reduced.
- Operational Efficiency: Regular conditioning minimizes delays and maintenance needs, supporting smoother and more reliable rail services.
The ROSS Pneumatrol Rail Brush has been widely adopted across various rail systems, including the London Underground and Network Rail MPVs, and is also used internationally, such as by SNCF in France.