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As part of British Steel’s largest order for Rail Sleepers to West Africa, Trackwork will manufacture 244,000 steel sleepers, with Pandrol providing the fastenings.

The sleepers will be used to upgrade the railway line at a bauxite mine in Guinea. Guinea is estimated to possess more than a quarter of the world’s supply of bauxite and as it continues to increase its export capacity, it needs to upgrade existing freight lines.

Steel sleepers are stronger and more durable than wooden sleepers, which have been traditionally used in African regions. Steel sleepers are also 100% recyclable.

Additionally, the transportation of steel sleepers is much more efficient than the transportation of their concrete equivalents as they are lighter and easily stacked – road vehicles can carry 3 times more steel sleepers than concrete, meaning lower transportation costs.

Trackwork Sales Manager Dave Roberts said: “We are absolutely delighted to be part of securing this contract; the most significant single order for steel railway sleepers in the long history of our partnership with British Steel. Succeeding in the face of such high-level competition bears full testament to the expertise, competence and quality within our long-established global supply chain.”

British Steel’s Export Sales Manager, Rail, Jérôme Bonef said “We have long-term partnerships with Trackwork and Pandrol. Together we’re able to provide a complete global supply chain solution involving processed steel sleepers and railway fastenings. This enables us to meet all heavy-haul technical requirements and deliver a cost-effective and timely solution to our customer”.