Ultrasonic Rail Testing Sticks

Network Rail (Wales & Western) intends to award a contract via direct award under the Procurement Act (2023) to TrackSYS Non Destructive Testing (NDT) Limited to replace and upgrade the existing fleet of Ultrasonic Testing Sticks.

Network Rail uses Ultrasonic Rail Testing Sticks, also known as Pedestrian Rail Detection Systems, to detect internal flaws in rail infrastructure. These devices are critical to the broader non-destructive testing (NDT) strategy aimed at maintaining rail safety and reliability.

Due to the specific standards required for non-destructive testing, and the current fleet of products entering an End-of-Life phase, Product Acceptance was achieved on the TrackSYS UT Lite Pedestrian Ultrasonic Rail Tester in collaboration with TrackSYS NDT Ltd and Network Rail's Technical Authority.

Not proceeding with this procurement could put the Network Rail Wales Route at significant risk of not being able to equip inspection teams with functioning, compliant equipment.