The Essentials Of Railroad Track Maintenance

By Jayne Rutledge


For long, rail transport has been able to address many of challenges facing road transport in particular such as jam menace in major cities and having to transport very heavy cargo that pose danger on highways.. In fact, with current innovations and technological experience that has greatly increased their speed; electric trains are quickly becoming the alternative to air transport. Just like other modes of transport, the network must be in the best condition all the time and this is why frequent railroad track maintenance must be prioritized.

The railroad as frequently affected and damaged by environmental factors like temperature changes, floods, earth quakes, volcanic related factors and many physical activities. As if this is not enough, the trains traveling on them vary in weight and speed. Other than damages resulting from vibrations, the physical wear and tear is unavoidable.

There are two approaches that can be used in railroad track maintenance. This is the desirable tolerance where the target is to provide the most cost effective solution of keeping railway in order or the minimum tolerance which just targets to have trains traveling safely. The implication is that the desirable tolerance cannot be below the minimal tolerance as the later is concerned on safety alone while the former brings in the aspect in addition to safety.

On top of the list is the original design of the railroad network. It is important to determine if it is laid in jointed track or CWR, does it straitens and curves or the transitions in between and material used for formation among others.

It starts from determining the original railway design. This requires answering a series of questions such as whether it is a joint track or is laid on CWR, is it a transition line or depends on straight and curved network and what materials were used in formation. The aspects as the traffic frequency, the traffic speed, mix and weight of vehicles also matters. This provides a good basis for formulating the approach, details and frequency of railroad track maintenance work.

The commonly used inspection machine is the High Speed Track Recording Coach or HSTRC. It is capable of collecting data on many aspects such as the gauge of the line, its alignment, the dynamic cross level, 5-meter twist, the 3-m twist, both top left and right above and below datum among other measurements that may be necessary. Some of the levels to be achieves are the zero variation of dynamic levels and the least possible variation in alignment from the original design.

With the correct machines and equipment with qualified and skilled engineers, the work should be able to keep the line at the most comfortable and safe level eliminating minor faults that may cause vibration denying the passengers comfort they deserve particularly at high speed.

The company contracted for railroad track maintenance must demonstrate technical capacity both in terms of experience, efficiency, the technology used, the engineers and the quotation. While you are in the process of making sure the railway system is comfortable and safe, it should not be the cause of delay and disruptions in services, unless unavoidable.




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