Modernising light rail in Boston (and beyond) with Nord-Lock washers

The new Type 10 Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) are part of the line's overall upgrade by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) - best known as "the T". Pilot testing for the Type 10 LRVs began in early 2026. The MBTA plans for them to join the Green Line's rolling stock in 2027, gradually adding more until reaching 102 LRVs by 2031.

The Type 10s are touted as a significant step forward for the Green Line, which is one of the most-used light-rail systems in the US. They have low floors for easier boarding and greater length for more passengers.

Most notably, however, the LRVs feature improved safety, enhanced crash-prevention technology, and greater use of Nord-Lock Washers.

A traditionally narrower implementation in the US rail sector

According to Julie Pereyra, Key Account Manager for Nord-Lock in the US, Nord-Lock's wedge-locking technology is ideal for securing bolts against loosening, especially when there's a risk of an accident. "They're all critical bolted connections when safety is really important," says Pereyra.

Products such as Nord-LockOriginal Washers and Nord-Lock X-Series Washers are often implemented to keep the bolts of railway infrastructure and trains in place against the constant vibrations and physical demands of modern rail transport. They're ubiquitous in train systems across Europe. But implemented more narrowly by US railway and train companies.

"They all use Nord-Lock Washers for safety-critical applications," says Pereyra, "but it's not widespread or across the board. It's just for specific spots where problems could occur."

Yet, a variety of recent and upcoming rail projects in the US are being built with significantly more Nord-Lock products.

From European designs to American manufacturing

Along with the Type 10 LRVs in Boston, the rail transit trains and cars with more broadly incorporated Nord-Lock's washers are running on Maryland's Purple Line, the Houston Metro in Texas, and the upcoming streetcar system in Omaha, Nebraska.

All are manufactured in the US by CAF. A global company, CAF's train projects are designed at its headquarters in Spain. And long before Nord-Lock US distributor Bisco Industries was named as a supplier for CAF's US subsidiary, Nord-Lock's branch in Madrid was collaborating with CAF's engineers.

"Our Spanish colleagues went to CAF and got Nord-Lock Washers on the drawings for all projects globally," Pereyra explains. "Nord-Lock Washers are required because the engineers have designed them into the specification."

So, like many other companies entering the American market, CAF established domestic production for designs requiring Nord-Lock solutions.

"When they plant themselves in the US, they need our products. They don't want to have to go back to Europe to get them," says Pereyra, who notes that Nord-Lock's US presence is up to the task. "We're ready to serve and give them the products they need."