TRACK MAINTENANCE

V. Hari Krishna, R111794,Civil Engineering 4th Year,

RGUKT, RK Valley, Idupulapaya.

CONTENTS

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History of Indian RailwaysWhat is track ?Definition of Track MaintenanceNeed of track maintenanceAdvantages of track MaintenanceCharacteristics of good trackAnnual programme of regular track maintenancesDifferent systems of track maintenanceConclusion

About Indian Railways

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It is one of the world's largest railway networks comprising 1,15,000 km

of track over a route of 67,312 km and 7,112 stations.

Indian Railways is the world‘s largest commercial or utility employers,

by number of employees, with over 1.376 million employees.

India’s First train ran between Mumbai and Thane in 1853.

It’s tag line is “Lifeline to the Nation”

It is headquartered in Delhi.

About South Central Railway, Vijayawada

I did my internship at South Central Railway, Vijayawada It is one of the six railway divisions under SCR. It is the second busiest railway junction next to Mumbai

Central. It has 10 platforms with 22 track lines. Everyday more than 250 passenger trains and 150 freight trains

utilize this station.

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What is a Track ?

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A track or permanent way is the railroad on which trains run.

Definition of Track Maintenance

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It is the overhauling of track periodically with the object of

restoring it to its best possible condition in which it can serve all

the requirements of a good track.

Need of Track Maintenance

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1. Due to the constant movement of heavy and high-speed trains, the packing under the sleepers becomes loose and track geometry gets disturbed. The gauge, alignment, and longitudinal as well as cross levels of the track thus get affected adversely.

2. Due to the vibrations and impact of high-speed trains, the fittings of the track come undone and there is heavy wear and tear of the

track and its components.

3. The track and its components get worn out as a result typical climatic conditions.

Advantages of Track Maintenance

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Life Time of track increases.

Reduces operational costs and fuel consumption up to 20 – 30 %.

Provides safe and smooth running of trains.

Gives pleasant ride to passengers without giving any noisy

sounds.

Higher speed of trains is achieved.

Characteristics of Good Track

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The gauge should be correct or within the specified limits. There should be no difference in cross levels except on curves. The alignment should be straight and kink-free. Longitudinal levels should be uniform. The ballast should be adequate and the sleepers should be well

packed. Track drainage should be good Fittings and Fastenings must be firmly fixed.

Annual Programme of Regular Track Maintenances

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S.No Period Work

1 Post monsoonattention: For aboutsix months after endof monsoon

Have to check everything

2 Pre monsoon attentionfor about 2 months prior to break of monsoon.

Mainly Focusses on drainage

3 Attention during monsoon for about four months

Mainly focuses on drainage and also daily patrolling in case heavy rain

Different Systems of Track Maintenance

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1. Conventional System of Track Maintenance2. 3 – Tier System of Track Maintenance

In India Conventional system of track maintenance is adopted. We will discuss about it.

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Powrah

Jim Crow

Sleeper Tongs

Tools used in Track Maintenance

Wooden Mallet

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Shovel Crow Bar

Track Lifter

Tampers

1. Through Packing (Conventional Beater Packing)

The length track opened in day should not be more than the efficient maintenance to be done to that track at the end of the day.

It consists the following operations in sequence. a) Opening of the road.b) Examination of rails, sleepers and fastenings.c) Squaring of sleepers.d) Slewing of track to correct alignment.e) Gauging.f) Packing of sleepers.h) Boxing of ballast section and tidying.

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a)Opening of the road

Ballast should be opened on either sides of rail seats, depth upto 50 mm

They should not disturb cores under sleeper.Opening length on either sides is different for different gauges

For B.G 45 cmFor M.G35 cmFor N.G 25 cm

It is done with the help of shovels and powrahs

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(b) Examination of Rails, Sleepers and FasteningsRails should be checked for wear and tear, corrosion, Cracks at rail

joints, cracks at ends.Sleepers condition at rail seatsCheck for loose Fastenings and fittings.

(c) Squaring of SleepersGauge variations and kinks inevitably

results from sleepers getting out of square.It is done by planting the crow bars firmly

against the sleeper and pushing it

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(d) Slewing of Track to Correct AlignmentIt is to ensure the correct alignment of track.It will be checked for alignment from a distance 25-30 metres.

(e) GaugingIt is to maintain uniform gauge distance.For B.G. 1676 mm, M.G. 1000 mm and 762 mm for N.GIt is done only if the sleepers are truly square.Because of aging and different conditions of sleeper it is not

possible to maintain exact gauge distance.

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(f) Packing of sleepers

It is to check whether each sleeper is fixed firmly and uniformly with the ballast.

It is done with respect of one fixed sleeper to others.Each sleeper should be packed at a time by 4 members.After packing they will be blown by a wooden mallet.A hollow sound will indicate defective packing.

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(g) Boxing to Ballast section and Tidying

After all the operations done in sequence a clean ballast should be made with ballast forks or rakes.

Ballast should be dressed with hemp cord of 6 mm dia.

Ballast should be fully filled, at inadequate sections.

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Conventional System of Track Maintenance Continued ….

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2. Track Maintenance by Machines3.Measured Shovel Packing4. Systematic Overhauling

(a) Shallow screening and making up of ballast.(b) All items attended to, while doing through

packing.(c) Making up the cess.

5. Deep Screening of Ballast6. Lubrication of Joints7. Picking up Slacks8. Using of Bio Toilets

Conclusion

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From this topic I came to know that track maintenance is essential for safe, economic and smooth running of a rail. Indian Railways is taking special care about track maintenance, introducing new ideas to do track maintenance more efficiently.

Any Queries ….?

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REFERENCES

[1] Railway Track Engineering by J.S.Mundrey [2] http://www.indianrailways.gov.in [3] http://www.wikipedia.com [4] Railway Engineering by Satish Chandra and MM

Agarwal [5] https://www.google.co.in

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Thank You