Setting a New Benchmark in Rail Infrastructure

Alphaliner RL brings trenchless pipeline rehabilitation to railways

Pipelines underneath trackbeds are among the most complex places for trenchless rehabilitation, with vibrations caused by the trains above and the impact of heavy pressure making them uniquely challenging.

With the Alphaliner RL, however, RELINE has devised a new solution that is designed precisely for these conditions – it is the first-ever UV-cured liner to be granted product-specific authorization from Deutsche Bahn.

Obtaining approval from Deutsche Bahn AG, the Alphaliner RL was specifically designed over a multi-year process to meet the unique product requirements within the railway track structure and underwent extensive material testing. Among other things, the material quality and resistance to vibration loads (proof of long-term vibration durability) were tested. “Our goal was to develop a product that reliably meets the special conditions within the railway track structure while also overcoming all regulatory hurdles,” explains Philipp Bergmann, Head of Sales at RELINE. “The product-specific approval by Deutsche Bahn AG for use within the railway track is a milestone that offers planners and operators of both railway-owned and third-party crossing infrastructure new trenchless rehabilitation options and regulatory certainty.”

Regulatory reliability for use under railway traffic loads

The use of construction products and the application of construction methods under railway traffic loads are governed by relevant regulations and administrative provisions and are monitored by the Federal Railway Authority (EBA).

The criteria for the use of CIPP liners have been defined in coordination with the EBA and are described in the “Planning Guide for Pipeline Rehabilitation” issued by DB InfraGO AG (formerly DB Netz AG; December 2022).

Construction products may be used without specific approval from the EBA, without case-by-case approval (ZiE), and without internal company approval (UiG), provided they are suitable for the intended use and have a general technical approval (abZ) issued by the DIBt.

Technically strong down to the tiniest detail

With nominal widths of between DN 200 and DN 800 and lengths of up to 280 meters, the Alphaliner RL already covers a broad range of uses and, what is more, it will also be available for diameters up to DN 1200 from 2026 onward. This is complemented by a full set of standard structural calculations and a successful long-term fatigue test, both of which prove the liner’s durability under cyclical vibration and pressure loads.

The new Alphaliner RL maintains the established structural integrity and material standards of its product family, including high strength, consistent UV curing, and a smooth interior surface that ensures sustained hydraulic performance. Additionally, it incorporates all advantages of RELINE’s trenchless Alphaliner technology, such as reduced construction periods, minimal cross-sectional loss, lower environmental impact, and limited disruption to the surrounding community.

Reliable planning and implementation

The Alphaliner RL is already raring to go, with the first few invitations to tender already drawn up and published in partnership with the project management teams at Deutsche Bahn. This is making planning and implementation much easier and laying clear foundations for future projects.

The Alphaliner RL, like other RELINE solutions, is part of a complete system—not just a standalone product. Along with manufacturing and delivery, RELINE provides support for tenders, sizing, and installation. “We accompany our partners throughout the whole project so that rehabilitation work inside the trackbed can be done efficiently, safely, and predictably,” says Christian Pfaff, Area Sales Manager Germany.

Press contact

RelineEurope GmbH

Katrin Nitsche

Head of Marketing

katrin.nitsche@relineeurope.com

Tel: +49 6349 93934-245

About RELINE

Founded in 2009, RelineEurope GmbH is headquartered in Rohrbach, Rhineland-Palatinate, where it manufactures GRP pipe liners, and the UV technology required in order to cure them on site. RELINE is the only manufacturer in the world to offer GRP pipe liners and the associated equipment as a single supplier. Another specialty is the in-house production of glass-fiber mats. The company is also active in Japan, India and the USA.