In September, RS Clare will be exhibiting at InnoTrans 2026, with our focus firmly on System Thinking at the Wheel Rail Interface.

In the run-up to the exhibition, we’re publishing a seven-part technical series covering the equipment and friction management technologies we’ll be talking about in Berlin. We’ll start trackside, move onto friction management and then look at wheel flange lubrication before the final blog brings the focus back to InnoTrans.

Part 1: Trackside Systems & Equipment

We start with the equipment responsible for getting lubricant onto the rail. The first two blogs look at why trackside equipment matters and how developments in application and remote monitoring can help reduce unnecessary maintenance.

We’ll also look at the RS Clare equipment being showcased at InnoTrans, including ClareShield TrackPro, Gauge Face Lubricators and Top of Rail application systems.

Part 2: Friction Management

Part two moves onto friction management and what we’re actually trying to achieve at the Wheel Rail Interface.

We’ll look at the difference between managing friction at the gauge face and the top of the rail, including the impact on wear and noise. We’ll also use recent research from RSSB to look at some of the results achieved through effective friction management.

Part 3: Wheel Flange Lubrication

Part three takes the series onboard.

We’ll start by looking at the choice between spray and solid wheel flange lubrication, and why the right option depends on the fleet and how it’s being operated.

We’ll then take a closer look at RS Clare’s wheel flange solutions and how they can help operators manage wheel wear while keeping an eye on maintenance requirements and lubricant consumption.

Part 4: InnoTrans 2026

The seventh and final blog will be published ahead of InnoTrans 2026.

By that point, we’ll have covered the system from the trackside equipment through to the products being used at different points of the Wheel Rail Interface. The final blog will show what RS Clare is taking to Berlin and where visitors can find us at the exhibition.

We’ll be sharing each blog over the coming weeks as we build up to InnoTrans 2026.