Rail Drills

Rail drills are used to create accurate holes through rail, usually for fishplates, fastenings, bonding, repairs and other track components. They’re built for rail work, so they’re designed to clamp securely to the rail and keep the drill positioned properly while the hole is made.

On site, the main benefit is control. A rail drill helps the operator drill in the right place, at the right angle, and with the right level of stability. That matters when holes need to line up cleanly with plates, bolts or other fittings, especially during maintenance and renewal work where time on track is limited.

Rail drills are commonly used on track renewals, rail repairs, installation jobs, depot works and possession-based maintenance. Depending on the model, they may be petrol, mains-powered or battery-powered. Battery rail drills can be a good choice where teams want to reduce emissions and noise, particularly for tunnel work, underground sections, night shifts or urban sites.

Before hiring a rail drill, it’s worth checking the rail profile, the hole size required, the number of holes to be drilled, and the working environment. That helps make sure the right drill, bits and power option are supplied for the job.