Custom-shaped rails, racks and fittings for railway
Proud members of the Railway Industry Association
Clients and projects using our shaped tube
Improve ergonomics, aesthetics, strength and sustainability with bespoke tube profiles
Timeless Tube specialise in custom-shaping stainless steel and aluminium tube profiles for a variety of rolling stock and infrastructure applications across the global railway industry.
We typically work with rolling stock OEMs and overhaulers and/or their subcontractors, manufacturing tube for new builds, refits, and station infrastructure.
We collaborate with designers and procurement teams on prototypes. Contact us to discuss prototyping, samples, and optimal tubing options with a tube profile specialist.
Tubes are typically manufactured from stainless steel as it is sustainable, easy-to-maintain and offers impressive durability (far outliving the average 40 years rolling stock lifespan).
Shaped profiles used for railway
A tactile alternative to angular box section, with gently contoured edges. It offers greater strength than round tube and is perfect for grab poles and handles. Radiused rectangle tubing is also available.
A space-saving, slimline tube ideal for luggage racks and stacks. 54%
stronger than standard round tube.
A stylish elliptical profile available in over 250 sizes (with new sizes available on request). Aesthetically pleasing, oval tubes can be rolled to mirror structural curves inside the cars.
Used for handrails in transport hubs, it features an easy-to-grip rounded
top and a flat, secure base to aid fabrication. It can be fitted with internal LEDs and is an ideal conduit for housing cables.
High-quality metal tubes for welded assemblies
We are experienced in supplying to the rail industry both in the UK and internationally – whether it’s ready-to-assemble parts or straight lengths of tube.
Our expertise in complex tube fabrication allows us to deliver high-quality metal tubes for welded assemblies such as luggage racks and stacks, bicycle racks and car tables. We can also custom-make tubes for grab poles and perch seats, providing ergonomic and aesthetic alternatives to standard round tube components.
Diverse applications for the railway sector
Railway designers, engineers and architects choose our uniquely crafted tube profiles for their exceptional ergonomics, striking aesthetics, and unmatched strength. These custom-shaped profiles are essential in a variety of applications, both interior and exterior, including the grab rails featured above.
- Luggage racks and stacks
- Grab poles
- Handrails
- Kiosks
- Kick rails
- Station Furniture
- Ballast guards
- Lighting
- Cable conduits
- Signage
- Table legs for cars
- Seating supports (perch seats)
- Geotechnical instrumentation
- Metal architecture for retail environments
Bespoke tubing for luggage racks: shaped metal profiles to aid design and functionality
We recognise the importance of well-designed racking to cater for leisure travellers, commuters and express freight train operatives alike.
Timeless Tube’s oval and flat-sided oval tubes are ideal for luggage racks and stacks. Flat-sided oval tube is proven to be 54% stronger than its standard round tube counterpart, as verified by independent deflection tests. The flat-sided oval profile, which offers a secure but flattened base, is used for luggage racks on passenger trains across Europe and Asia.
Our oval tube profiles offer a stylish elliptical shape, available in over 250 sizes, with new sizes available on request. These profiles can be tailored to fit specific applications, providing both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Custom-shaped railings: space-saving, strong and easier to grip
Accessibility is key in the rail environment; helping passengers to board and dismount trains with dignity is paramount, which is why our rails and grab poles are designed with easy grip in mind.
Slimline shaped handrails and grab poles are also ideal for carriages when space is limited. With decades of experience custom-making elegant handrails for high-end architectural and marine work, we are experts in manufacturing profiles suited to confined spaces.
Stainless steel tubes: a sustainable, low-maintenance alternative to carbon steel
Stainless steel offers a Life Cycle Cost advantage over many other materials.
Stainless steel tubes offer superior toughness compared with carbon steel (including mild steel), absorbing considerable impact without fracturing due to its excellent ductility and strain-hardening characteristics. The austenitic stainless steels we form from are more resistant to impact damage than other materials, and are proven to be less prone to scratches and vandalism seen with coated mild steel alternatives. This more sustainable choice also reduces spend on repairs and replacements over time.
Stainless steel is 100% recyclable (and the round tube material we form from is at least 60% recycled).
Unlike mild steel, brushed or polished stainless steel doesn’t require coating or paint, reducing the carbon footprint significantly over its lifetime. Stainless steel tubes are a hygienic choice. They can be cleaned easily and effectively; a smooth surface finish will help keep the tubes free from microbes, bacteria and general dirt build-ups. Stainless steel is used extensively as a hygienic material for medical and pharmaceutical applications and in the food and beverage industry. Unlike coated carbon steel its protective layer isn’t compromised if scratched or chipped.
Timeless Tube’s stainless steel metal architecture is frequently used when robustness and safety are paramount, such as yacht railings in a corrosive marine environment.
Tube bending and laser-cutting services for efficient fabrication
We have invested in bespoke bend tooling and investment-cast stainless steel joiners for several of our profiles. Our oval tubes can be rolled to mirror structural curves inside the cars – please ask our experienced engineers what radii is achievable. We can make new bending tooling upon request to meet your requirements.
We supply laser-cut pieces if you require a convenient kit of parts. Contact us if you require a quotation for ready-to-assemble metal structures.
Our welding department offer excellent technical knowledge in the field of welded elements, which enables us to discuss our clients’ railway projects with fabrication in mind.
Our commitment to quality and sustained reliability
Timeless Tube’s commitment to quality and innovation in railway applications is evident in every custom-shaped profile we produce. Whether we’re supplying tube for luggage racks, seating supports, or critical infrastructure components, Timeless Tube delivers solutions that enhance the overall performance and aesthetics of railway projects. Our quality, service and dependability are valued by our clients.
Talk to an expert today
Speak to our team to get started. Request samples, drawings, or technical datasheets.
