Expo Line Power Rail Installation

In a multi-year project, PNR RailWorks crews replaced miles of power rail on the Expo Line, part of the metro Vancouver SkyTrain rapid transit system.

The PNR RailWorks crew of 35 people replaced power rail on the Expo Line in three process-oriented teams with distinct roles:

First, the engineering team used computer-aided design software to draft construction drawings that not only met the criteria in the customer-supplied design drawings but also pre-determined the length of rail and the locations of other components.

Second, the preparation team cut and drilled rail, then sequenced the rail and support components so that they were accessible in the correct order and free of any issues for the installation team.

Finally, the installation team performed its tasks during a 6 1/2- hour overnight shift, removing old power rail and components and replacing them with the new material readied by the preparation team.