Extending the brutal life of a railcar

SSAB steel is used globally in applications designed to withstand the most demanding operating environments — one example being railcars. When transporting heavy materials, railcars are exposed to constant abrasion and impact, leading to damage. Traditionally, this has been addressed by using thicker steel, resulting in heavier, less efficient designs. The Greenbrier Companies took a different approach, developing a new generation of gondola railcars that are lighter, stronger, and more durable. This was made possible through close collaboration with SSAB, using Strenx® performance steel for structural components and Hardox® wear plate in the most exposed areas. Strenx® reduces each gondola’s unloaded weight by about 7 metric tons while maintaining high strength and resilience. Hardox® eliminates most of the welding that goes into the railcar: key points in the bottom of the gondola — the area that takes the greatest beating — are folded rather than welded. The materials, together with Greenbrier’s innovative solution, enable a railcar with a longer lifespan, supporting more efficient rail transport. #Steel #HighStrengthSteel #Railcar