When winter storms hit, snow and ice can bring even the most efficient rail networks to a grinding halt. Frozen switches, iced-over catenary lines, and unreliable manual heating systems have long been the bane of winter operations.
But for operators determined to never miss a winter event that can derail operations, NIBE’s automated rail heating solutions offer a smarter, more dependable way to stay ahead of the storm.
Rail infrastructure is especially vulnerable to freezing weather. Ice build-up between switch points, frozen third rails, and snow-packed crossings can quickly stop trains in their tracks. Traditional heating systems, often manually controlled and continuously powered, waste energy, require labor-intensive winter prep and maintenance, and leave crews battling the elements when conditions shift suddenly.
The result? Costly delays and downtime, greater safety risks, and skyrocketing maintenance and infrastructure costs. The old approach—running heaters on full blast all winter long—is not only ineffective, but it also needlessly consumes vast amounts of costly energy.
NIBE’s automated rail-heating systems, with more than one million elements deployed globally since 1980, were designed specifically to tackle extreme weather conditions across North America. Based upon advanced European technology and engineered and manufactured in the U.S., these systems combine smart sensors, predictive analytics, and robust heating elements to keep your trains moving when winter weather hits.
NIBE’s automated rail heating systems combine precision heating with intelligent control. Designed for extreme reliability and energy efficiency, these systems monitor weather conditions and rail temperatures in real time. The best part: they activate only when ice or snow is imminent.
We offer a range of electric rail heating solutions, custom designed according to your specifications. From a fully automated dual element rail heating system with remote monitoring and diagnostics to a cost-effective Intelligent Weather Station (IWS) that enables automating your existing infrastructure, we have a solution to fit your needs.
Key features of our heating solution options include:
With automated control, heat is applied exactly where and when it’s needed—never wasted, never too late.
From freight yards to urban light rail systems, NIBE offers adaptable heating solutions for all types of rail infrastructure:
Each solution is engineered for dependability, safety, and ease of integration—whether you’re upgrading an existing system or designing new infrastructure from the ground up.
With climate patterns becoming increasingly unpredictable, winter weather isn’t just colder, it’s more chaotic. Sudden storms, freeze-thaw cycles, and high winds demand systems that think ahead.
Automation ensures that your rail network is not just reacting but anticipating conditions that can adversely affect operations. Our solutions help you to:
Winter will always come. The question is whether your rail system is ready for it. Don’t let ice and snow stop your system in its tracks. With NIBE’s automated rail heating solutions, you can stop reacting to winter’s chaos. Start controlling it.
Explore how NIBE can help you never miss when it comes to rail reliability this winter. Talk to an engineer today to set up a consultation. We look forward to helping improve your rail heating efficiency, reduce energy costs, and optimize total cost of ownership.