G&B Specialties - Rail Gear Equipment

G&B Specialties, a Global Railway Industries company, is a major international supplier to the railroad and transit industries. Based in Berwick, Pennsylvania, US, G&B Specialties is the leading manufacturer of rail gear equipment, otherwise known as hy-rail.

Its extensive on-site facilities uniquely sets it apart from its competitors by allowing it the flexibility to undertake turnkey development of hy-rail products, from conceptual design through to in-house manufacturing capabilities. This controls both quality and schedule.

Rail gear for road-equipment trucks

G&B Specialties offers its Rafna rail gear in eight different models for upfitting road equipment trucks from 6,500lb GVWR to 80,000lb GVWR.

Cushion-ride rail gear

G&B Specialties' Model R-290 rail gear is applicable to vehicles up to 12,500lb GVWR. Identical, ultra-compact rotating front and rear rail gear units are standard. Rail gear locks automatically in both road and rail position. Proven cushion-ride suspension provides superior ride quality, reduced vibration through the vehicle frame, less component stress, and constant rail wheel to rail contact. No rail gear adjustments are required for varying loads.

Rail wheel assemblies are bolted to the axles for simple wheel alignment. All four rail wheels provide full track-circuit isolation.

Also included are a 12VDC electric / hydraulic pump and reservoir with sealed push-button controls; an emergency hand pump, which provides safe and easy access to the rail vehicle; and a wheel modification kit to center vehicles' front and rear tires on the rail. Optional in-cab rail gear controls are available.

Few moving parts results in low maintenance and lubrication costs. Fully installed weight is approximately 450lb (at the front) and 500lb (rear).

Cushion-ride rail gear for light trucks

The Rafna R-450 100% duty-cycle rail gear was designed for light trucks. Equip a truck that has a maximum GVWR rating of 19,500lb with a Rafna R-450 rail gear and see for yourself.

Proven cushion-ride suspension provides ride quality, reduced vibration through the vehicle frame, less component stress, and constant rail wheel to rail contact. No rail gear adjustments are required for varying loads. With Rafna cushion-ride rail gear, there are no limits imposed. If the vehicle can support the load, so can the rail gear.

The Rafna R-450 rail gear has two hydraulic cylinders on both the front and rear units, providing power to spare under full vehicle capacity. On rail, the vehicle's front wheels are raised a minimum of 2in above the rail head and the vehicle axle is hydraulically locked in place.

Large-vehicle rail gear

G & B Specialties' Model R-1100 rail gear is designed for vehicles with GVWRs of 33,000lb and larger. The R-1100 uses the vehicle's frame to lift the front wheels off the track. Attachment to the vehicle's front suspension and frame makes this design more advantageous for the proper support of the vehicle.

Dual-scissor rear rail gear

The dual-scissor rear rail gear attaches to the truck's frame behind the spring hangers. The scissor action of the rear rail gear makes it possible for it to be moved along both the X and Y plane. This design makes it quicker to get vehicles on and off tracks.