heavy-haul - absolutelybetterjoint

HHABJ - or horses for courses

We have had the opportunity to introduce the ABJ at the IHHA Conference in Colorado Springs (17-21 November 2025). The presentation sparked a notable interest and a large number of questions. Download the paper and the presentation from these links.

Tie spacing

Tie width

Rail section

Heavy Haul world is based on AREMA codes. Wooden sleepers (almost not used anymore in Europe) become “timber ties” that are spaced by approximataly 20" (=508 mm). This by itself would require a redesign of the joint.

As a natural product, no two timber ties are alike. The largest cross-section of a timber tie is 7" deep x 9" large (=177.8 x 228.6 mm), much larger than European concrete sleepers (=150 mm). This is another reason for redesing.

Heavy haul railroads use typically AREMA 136RE rails, bigger and heavier than 60E1 rails. This will lead to longer forged transitions that make the original ABJ joint unusable on heavy haul.

A modified ABJ design is in progress. Heavier, stronger, even more reliable.