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 supply to 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. 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, outliving the average 40 years lifespan of rolling stock. Tubes can also be formed from aluminium.
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
Timeless are experienced in supplying to the rail industry both in the UK and internationally – whether it’s ‘plug-and-play’ 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 also custom-make shaped tube grab poles and grab handles: ergonomic and aesthetically superior alternatives to standard round tube grab poles.
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 used 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 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, which is why our grab poles and grab handles are designed to make boarding, dismounting and moving throughout rail passenger vehicles both easier and safer. Our 34 x 34mm radiused square tube profile, comparable in size to round grab poles, allows for a more secure grip (its contoured sides prevent slippage).
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.
Architectural tubing for stations and transport interchanges
Our custom-shaped tube profiles are used to enhance architectural and lighting design in stations and mobility hubs, where creating a pleasurable environment for passengers is as carefully considered as managing an efficient throughflow of people.
Timeless Tube’s work can be seen in airports, including portable oval tube barriers at Heathrow Terminal 5 and accessible digital screens at John Lennon Airport Liverpool.
From beautifully shaped handrail to sturdy mounts for journey-planning information kiosks, Timeless Tube’s unique geometries open up possibilities for furniture-designers, architects and way-finding specialists. Speak to us if you would like to receive samples to inspire your designs.
Stainless steel tubes: a sustainable, low-maintenance alternative to carbon steel
The easy maintenance of railcar interiors is an important consideration for train operators. Stainless steel interior fittings are easy to clean and maintain over time.
Stainless steel metal architecture used in public spaces is proven to be less prone to vandalism than coated mild steel. Its superior toughness means that it is less likely to require repair or replacement. It doesn’t have a coating that can be scratched or chipped. This gives it an impressive Life Cycle Cost advantage over many other materials.
Stainless steel is 100% recyclable.
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 product development: working with the industry to meet user needs
Timeless are dedicated to developing products that help to improve the overall experience of passengers travelling by rail, tram and bus. Safety and comfort are at the forefront of our passenger ergonomics research.
Our engineers are also committed to exploring methods of fabrication that allow existing fittings to be used with our shaped profiles, helping to reduce costs and lead times for refurbishment work.
Our aim is to deliver solutions that enhance the overall performance and aesthetics of railway projects within the parameters of existing safety standards. We are proud to receive support from the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) at the University of Birmingham.
Talk to an expert today
Speak to our team to get started. Request samples, drawings, or technical datasheets.
