Rail
Advanced Technology that Meets the Moment
Rail keeps economies in motion. Where wheel meets track, that’s where the miles add up — and every mile matters. At the heart of every wheelset is a precisely engineered system: bearings, housings, seals, backing rings, and greases — all working in unison to deliver smooth, safe, on‑time performance.
In the 1920s our bearings transformed comfort and safety for rail passengers and solved the hot box problem for freight and passenger trains alike. By 1970, Timken engineers had designed a bearing for France’s Train à Grande Vitesse that could withstand speeds well beyond the customer’s ambitious requirements — and secured our standing in the European rail market.
Today, Timken technology continues to advance rail efficiency and sustainability worldwide, helping electric passenger trains and freight lines around the world increase fuel economy, push speed boundaries, increase load capacity and reduce maintenance.
Tracking More Than a Century of Innovation
Freight Rail: Reducing operating costs, one efficient wheel-turn at a time
In a world of rising populations and increasing environmental pressures, rail remains the most sustainable way to transport essential goods. Still, rail operators face rising fuel and infrastructure costs.
For a century, we’ve partnered with the industry to reduce costs by improving the efficiency, safety and reliability of freight train wheel assemblies. Timken’s All-Purpose “AP” family of journal roller bearings — the gold standard for the market — come with full-spectrum support including bearing engineering, training and reconditioning. In addition, Timken EcoTurn® Seals help save thousands of gallons of fuel annually, and Sure-Fit® universal backing rings eliminate millions of dollars in lost backing rings.
Passenger Rail: Lowering stress levels for people and the planet
In an era of increased traffic congestion and climate volatility, millions of people around the world demand the effortless, eco-friendly ease of riding a train to their destination — and governments are responding with investments in high-speed rail projects and advanced rail technologies.
For decades, our power-dense, fuel-efficient bearings have helped manufacturers in industrial markets conserve energy, and we apply that same technology to rail. Timken® AP bearings continue to evolve as we partner with operators to achieve their objectives. Today, our GGB® bearings also serve a wide variety of rail applications, including coupling systems, passenger ramps and doors, pantographs, hinges and pivot points.
Innovative Rail Products
Timken® AP-2TM Integrated Bearing Assemblies
Our patented Timken AP-2 bearing meets the growing demands of rail transportation: increased loads, speeds and longer wheel life.
Its compact design incorporates fewer components and reduces bearing weight. In fact, using AP-2 bearings in place of an AP bearing can reduce the weight of a railcar by several hundred pounds. It also offers improved safety and reliability and runs at lower operating temperatures and lower torque.
When integrated with innovative Timken seal designs and polymer cages, Timken’s AP-2 bearing can offer significant energy efficient benefits while providing railroad operators with unparalleled performance.
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