BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — The Toronto Transit Commission ordered specialty-engineered composite railroad switch ties from Axion International, the company said.
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), a public transport authority, operates buses, streetcars, subways and advanced light rapid transit in Toronto, Ontario.
Axion, in conjunction with Rutgers University, has developed plastics technology that uses almost 100 percent recycled plastic. Axion’s structural products have the distinct advantage of being environmentally friendly as well as providing superior products to customers, officials say.
Officials tout that the company’s products address the increasing worldwide environmental concerns for deforestation coupled with the specific goals for recycling, reducing greenhouse gases and manufacturing products without toxic materials.
Axion’s products last longer than conventional creosote treated wooden ties, perhaps longer than fifty years, offering significant cost savings in maintenance and product replacement, have freedom from so-called biological attack (including termites), moisture, and eliminate the hazardous exposure to humans and the environment.
“We’re pleased to have received this initial purchase order from The Toronto Transit Commission for our engineered composite railroad ties,” Axion International CEO Jim Kerstein said.
“While this will be the first switch set order produced by Axion, our technology has previously been tested by TTC in their subway system,“ Kerstein added. “This order, procured by our Canadian sales partner H.J. Skelton, who since 1883 has been supplying top quality products to Railways and Transits, is expected to be the first of many.”
The Railway Tie Association data indicates the major North American railroads purchase between 18 to 20,000,000 cross ties annually. Axion is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Analytical Surveys Inc.
— Railfanning.org News Wire based on PRNewswire-FirstCall
