BASIC TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

1. 11

2. Maintenance of Railway Track.
Followings are the objectives (reasons) of maintenance of railway track:
1) The strength of track structure goes on reducing due to high speed of
trains, heavy axle loads and repetition of loads.
2) The track structure is subjected to other deteriorating effects like rain
water, action of sun and wind. The wear and tear of rails and rolling
stock is bound to take place.
3) The track structure has to bear so many other curvatures, speed and
load effects, particularly on curves, points and crossings.

3. Advantages of Good Maintenance:
 The life of both track as well as of rolling stock increases.
 The journey becomes easy and comfortable.
 Increase in safety.
 Saving in operating costs as fuel consumption is less.
 Safety of passengers and goods encourages more and more use of
railway.
 Higher speed of train is achieved.

4. Causes of Maintenance:
 The strength of track structure goes on reducing due to high speed
of trains, heavy axle loads and repetition of loads.
 The track structure is subjected to other deteriorating effects like
rain water, action of sun and wind. The wear and tear of rails and
rolling stock is bound to take place.
 The track structure has to bear so many other curvatures, speed and
load effects, particularly on curves, points and crossings.

5. TYPE OF MAINTENANCE
The maintenance of Indian railway track can be carried out by manually or
mechanical appliances.
In India maintenance of railway can be carried out by manual labour and
with hand tool.
The maintenance of railway track can be divided into two parts…
1 Daily maintenance
2. Periodical Maintenance

6. 1. Daily Maintenance:
Daily maintenance is carried out by the full time staff maintained through
the year. The use of maintenance gauge, all along the railway track, is
made. The railway track is divided into suitable sections 5 to 6 km length.
One gang is attached to each section for maintaining that section in good
condition.
Works carried out by the maintenance gang are,
 To check the bolts of fish plates and tighten it if necessary
 To check the rail gauge
 To check the joints.
 To check the fittings of sleepers and rails.

7. 2. Periodical maintenance
Periodic maintenance is carried out after an interval of two to three year
During periodic maintenance the gauge, levels, alignment, points and
crossing etc.: are thoroughly checked, the defects are detected, the causes
are determined and remedial measures are taken.
The periodic maintenance includes,
(i) Levelling of rails
(ii) Track alignment
(iii) Gauge
iv) Proper drainage
(v) Track Components
(vi) Bridge and its approaches
(vii) Rolling stock
(vii) Points and crossings
(ix) Level crossings
(x) Tunnels

8. Surface defects and their
remedial measures
The top surface of two rails
should be kept in the same
plane or level whether the
track is on rising gradient or
falling gradient or on a level
stretch.
The various surface
defect& their remedial
measure are given here…

19. Pre monsoon and post monsoon maintenance:
The rails, bolts, fish plates, components of points, crossings, etc. are subjected
to corrosion due to effect of moisture in the rainy season are necessitate the
maintenance of railway track. It includes,
1. Maintenance of rails
 Sleepers
 Fish plates
 Joints
2. Maintenance of bridges and approaches
 Foundation
 Substructure
 superstructure

20. 3. Maintenance of rolling stock
4. Maintenance of points and crossings
5. Maintenance of Signals
6. Maintenance of level crossings
During monsoon the steel components are subjected to rusting. Various
parts are properly inspected and rust, if any is removed. Fish plate bolts are
oiled and tightened.
The bridge foundations and approaches are inspected before monsoon
an necessary maintenance works are carried out. Cracks in the abutments piers
are rectified.