METHODS TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF

Increase
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Definition of Track Maintenance

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
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

 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
 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
S. Period Work
N
o
1 Post monsoon Have to check everything
attention:
For about six
months after
end of
monsoon
2 Pre monsoon attention Mainly Focusses on drainage
for about 2 months prior
to break of monsoon.
3 Attention during monsoon Mainly focuses on drainage and also
for daily
about four months patrolling in case heavy rain
 Different Systems of Track
Maintenance
1. Conventional System of Track
Maintenance
2. 3 – Tier System of Track Maintenance

In India Conventional system of track

maintenance is adopted.
 Tools used in Track
Maintenance
Jim
Crow

Powr
ah
Wooden
Mallet

Sleeper
Tongs
 Shov
el Crow
Bar

Tamp
ers

Track
Lifter
 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.
 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 cm
 For M.G 35 cm
 For N.G 25 cm
 It is done with the help of shovels
and powrahs
(b) Examination of Rails, Sleepers and Fastenings
 Rails should be checked for wear and tear,
corrosion, Cracks at joi nts, cracks at ends.
 Sleepers condition at rail seats
 Check for loose Fastenings and fittings.
(c) Squaring of Sleepers
Gauge 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.
 (d) Slewing of Track to Correct Alignment
• It is to ensure the correct alignment of track.
• It will be checked for alignment from a distance 25-30
metres.
(e) Gauging
• It is to maintain uniform gauge distance.
• For B.G. 1676 mm, M.G. 1000 mm and 762 mm for
N.G
• It 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.
 (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.
(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.
2. Track Maintenance by
Machines
3.Measured Shovel
Packing
4. 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