Track maintenance

Rail tracks need regular maintenance in order to function efficiently. Inadequate maintenance can lead to accidents. There are a few maintenance jobs that should be done for railway track which includes sleepers changing process, adjusting and lubricating the switches, tightening loose components and surfacing and lining track to keep straight sections straight and curves within maintenance limits.

The crossties or also known as the sleepers need to be changed at a certain period, adjusting and lubricating the switches of the track, tighten if there are some loose components along the track, and keep the sections straight by doing the lining and surfacing the track, and curves within maintenance limits.

Inspections work for rail is done by utilizing a non-destructive testing method. These process can be done by using equipments such as HiRails trucks. Furthermore, inspection can be done by using cars or other inspection tools.

It is to identify the flaws at the internal side of the rails. This inspection is the work of inspecting the rail track if there were any flaws at which those flaws can lead to rail disaster.

Common track job

Spraying ballast with weedkiller to prevent weeds growing through & disrupting the ballast – special weed killing train
Levelled, cleaned & replaced ballast
Changing crossties (sleepers), lubricating and adjusting switches, tightening loose track components, and surfacing and lining track to keep straight sections straight and curves within maintenance limits.
Inspection – nondestructive testing method to detect internal flaws in the rails – inspection car
Replacing broken/ worn-out rails – periodically

Maintenance machines

The RailGrinder is used to maintain the surface of the rail’s head. It is used to eliminate the irregularities of the rail track and to repair the profile accuracy. This activity may help to improve the riding experience and lengthen the life of the track.

The Track Renewal train is used to replace the sleepers and rail of the track. It is a work train that prepares several components of materials and machinery that is needed for the project of renewing the rail or sleepers of the track.

For inspection work, it used the inspection cars, the HiRail and for certain issues handheld the devices of inspection.

A Stoneblower is a railway track maintenance machine that automatically lifts and packs the sleepers with small grade ballast, which is blown under the sleepers to level the track. An alternative to the use of a ballast tamper, the totally self-contained machine levels track without the use of a large gang of workmen.

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