Measured Shovel Packing

Measured Shovel Packing

Measured shovel packing (MSP) is an improved form of manual packing, which aims to provide a scientific method of track maintenance that does not use any sophisticated mechanical aid. This method, which was perfected on SNCF (French Railways) about 40 years ago, was the standard method of track maintenance in the UK prior to the introduction of mechanical maintenance. Even today, tracks on SNCF are mostly maintained by MSP. This method makes it possible to maintain fish-plated and LWR tracks for speeds of up to 160 km/h in these countries. As such, this method has the potential of being used as a standard method of maintenance for high-speed routes, particularly for flat-bottomed sleepers. It is definitely an asset for controlling the overall economy by way of direct savings in labour and maintenance of the track, and long-term savings in terms of longer life of rails, sleepers, and fastenings due to improved track maintenance.

1 Essentials of MSP

MSP essentially consists of taking accurate measurements of track defects, particularly of any existing unevenness and voids, caused in the course of service and attending to the same by placing a measured quantity of small-sized stone chips under the sleeper to bring the track levels to their predetermined state. The compaction of these stone chips occurs as a consequence of the passage of traffic. The extent to which the track is required to be lifted is calculated by measuring the longitudinal unevenness in the track once the cross levels and the voids under the sleepers have been corrected. The longitudinal levels are measured with the help of two optical instruments-the viseur and the mire-while the voids under the sleeper bed are assessed by a ball-ended rod called canne-a-boule and checked with the help of a mechanical device called the dansometer. The track is lifted by 40 mm by means of special types of non-infringing jacks, and a measured quantity of stone chips is then placed in the sleeper bed with the help of a particular type of packing shovel. The jacks are then tripped off and the alignment is finally corrected.

2 Scope of MSP

The process of MSP is suitable for the following types of work.

(a)  Through packing of flat-bottomed sleepers

(b) Packing of joint wooden sleepers in metal sleeper tracks

(c)  Through packing of points and crossings with wooden and steel sleepers

(d) Dehogging of rail ends

3 Advantages and Disadvantages of MSP

Even though MSP is an excellent method of track maintenance, it does have its drawbacks. The following are the advantages and disadvantages of MSP.

Advantages of MSP

(a)  The work carried out is precise, wherein the track is worked upon as close to the tolerances as possible because of the finer adjustments that are permissible in MSP.

(b) The retentivity of packing, particularly for joint sleepers, is more in the case of MSP as compared to other modes of maintenance.

(c)  MSP gives increased output per gangman and is, therefore, economical.

(d) A minimum clean ballast cushion is not needed when work is done through MSP.

(e)  MSP does not require any traffic blocks.

(f)  MSP does not damage the undersides of wooden sleepers, which are otherwise damaged in manual methods of maintenance.

(g)  MSP is less strenuous and labourers do not shirk in doing the required work.

(h) The gangman and the supervisory staff are able to pick up the uncomplicated technique with very little training and experience.

Disadvantages of MSP

(a)  Normally, MSP can be done only in the case of flat-bottomed sleepers and this puts a severe limitation on the scope of its application.

(b) This procedure requires special size stone chips, which may not be easily available.

(c)  MSP is not effective in maintaining newly screened tracks. A consolidated bed is a prerequisite for maintaining a track by means of MSP.

(d) MSP makes use of delicate instruments and devices that can get damaged easily.

(e)  Although MSP is not a complicated process, it still requires a certain amount of skill, for which the labourers have to be educated and trained.

4 Equipment Used in MSP

Special types of equipment are used to carry out MSP. A brief description of each of these instruments is given in the following paragraphs.

Canne-a-boule

A canne-a-boule is used for assessing the extent of voids in the packing under the sleepers. In the case of wooden sleepers, it consists of an iron ball of a diameter of 100 mm with a 1.20-m-long mild steel rod handle that has a diameter of 20 mm (Fig. 20.6). In the case of steel trough sleepers, a 1.20-m-long wooden canne-a-boule is used with a cylindrical wooden block that is 155 mm long and has a diameter of 100 mm. The canne-a-boule is dropped from a height of 40 cm at both ends of the sleeper. The height of the rebound and the sound emitted in the process determines the extent of the existence of packing voids. A value of 'zero' is given to a sleeper that gives a good rebound and produces a solid sound. The values increase as the sound gets dull and the rebound decreases.

Dansometer

A dansometer is used for measuring the voids in the packing under the sleeper ends. The tripod legs (Fig. 20.7) are fixed in the ballast bed while the dancing rod rests on the sleeper. The extent to which the friction sleeve can shift from its original position helps in determining the presence of voids under the sleeper in dynamic conditions.

Fleximeter

A fleximeter is used to measure the depression of the rail under the weight of plying traffic. It determines the degree to which voids occur in the packing together with the play in the fastenings, i.e., the gap between the rail foot and the sleeper. It is used in conjunction with the dansometer to check the tightness of fastenings.

The difference between the fleximeter and dansometer readings indicates the extent to which the fittings between the rail and the sleeper have become loose (Fig. 20.8).

Viseur and mire

The viseur and mire are used to measure the unevenness of the tail top and for rectifying the alignment. The viseur is a type of telescope that has a magnifying power of about 12 and is supported on a stand which can be fixed to the rail seat with the help of two clamps [Fig. 20.9(a)]. The mire is a staff bearing five graduated scales, in millimetres. It has a supporting frame that can be fixed to the rail head by means of bent clamps [Fig. 20.9(b)].

Gauge-cum-level

The gauge-cum-level is used for measuring the gauge of the track as well as the cross levels (Fig. 20.10). The cross level is measured with the help of an approximately 200-mm-long sensitive spirit level with a sensitivity of 2' 30". The cross level can be measured to an accuracy of 1 mm with the help of this instrument.

Packing shovel

A packing shovel is used for placing stone chips over the full width of the sleeper under the rail seat. It is about 1 m long and has a pan for collecting the chips under the sleeper bed. The throw of the blade is 100 mm for BG lines and 85 mm for MG lines (Fig. 20.11).

Dosing shovel

A dosing shovel is used for picking up a measured quantity of stone chips for packing. This shovel has a series of holes at different levels. By picking up chips to a specified height in the shovel (Fig. 20.12), the quantity of the chips can be measured.

Measuring can

A measuring can is used to check the accuracy of the dosing shovel. It is a cylindrical container of a height of 150 mm for BG lines and 120 mm for MG lines, with perforated holes at calibrated intervals (Fig. 20.13).

Non-infringing track jacks

Non-infringing track jacks (Fig. 20.14) are used for lifting the rail to a desired height. The jacks are referred to as 'non-infringing' because the lifted rail can easily be returned to its normal position in the case of an approaching train with little manipulation and because they can be left on the track as none of their components project above the rail level and infringe on movement. These jacks are designed for a safe working load of 5 t and for a maximum lift of 200 mm and 160 mm in the case of BG and MG lines, respectively.

5 Through MSP of Flat Bottomed Sleeper Tracks

MSP has been found to be very suitable for flat-bottomed sleepers, particularly wooden ones. About 33% of the running track on Indian Railways is on wooden sleepers and MSP can only be done on this length. The sequential description of this procedure is given in the following paragraphs.

Measurements of voids A sleeper is assessed to see whether it is fully packed or not. If not, the extent of the existence of packing voids is determined with the help of a canne-a-boule.

Fixation of high points The high points are then marked on each rail with the naked eye. At these high points, the cross levels are measured accurately up to 1 mm using a gauge-cum-level and any cross level errors are then corrected. These high points are called 'PH points' as per French terminology. These are normally spaced not more than 25 m apart.

Converting high points to good points The track is normally given a general lift of 10 mm for the first round of MSP and 5 mm for the second round of MSP, so that packing under the sleepers may be done effectively. New points, referred to as good points (or 'PB points'), are then marked on both the rails. For a higher rail, the PB value will be equal to the value of the general lift, i.e., 10 mm as a result of the first MSP, and for the lower rail, it will be equal to the sum of the value of the general lift and the cross level.

Longitudinal leveling Longitudinal levels are then measured between two high points on every alternate sleeper with the help of a viseur and a mire. The readings on intermediate sleepers are obtained by interpolation.

Total lift The total lift is calculated by adding the value of the voids assessed in the packing to the amount of lift discerned as per the requirement of the longitudinal levels. This value is called 'mark definitive' and is marked on the inside of the foot of the rail.

Opening out of ballast The ballast section is then opened out with the help of ballast rakes or special types of beaters as shown in (Fig. 20.15).

Lifting and packing of tracks Normally, a party of nine men is required for lifting and packing a track. The track is lifted with the help of non-infringing jacks. These jacks are placed nine sleepers apart on an evenly made up ballast bed. Not more than 4 cm of track should be lifted at a time to ensure that bigger ballast pieces do not roll in under the sleeper. The track is packed with the help of a special packing shovel. Depending upon the amount of voids present and the lifting done, the required quantity of small-sized stone chips is picked up by means of a dosing shovel from the wheelbarrow. For the first round of MSP, the quantity of chips required is about 3 m³ for 250/300 sleepers on BG/MG lines with a general lift measuring 10 mm and for the second and subsequent rounds of MSP it is 3 m³ for 1000/1250 sleepers on BG/MG lines with a general lift equal to or less than 5 mm. About 2.0, 1.5, or 1.0 m³ of chips are required for the MSP of one turnout of 1 in 16, 1 in 12, and 1 in 81/2, respectively.

Provision of ramps Ramps are provided to gradually ease off the difference in the longitudinal levels of the track between the portion of the track that has been attended to and the portion that is yet to be attended to. The provision of such ramps becomes necessary either in the case of an approaching train or at the end of a day's work. A provisional ramp of 3 mm per sleeper is provided in the face of approaching trains, whereas a ramp of 1 mm per sleeper is provided at the end of a day's work.

Alignment After correcting the longitudinal and cross levels of the track, the alignment is checked with the help of a viseur and a mire, using the vertical line on the rear side of the mire as a target. The use of guides is very important when alinging tracks, as the guides ensure that the viseur and mire are undisturbed while slewing is in progress.

Boxing and dressing of ballast After the surfacing and alignment of the track has been taken case of, the removed ballast is put back in the track by means of ballast rakes and the ballast section is boxed and dressed properly.

Majoration of joints Joints are checked for a second time on the following day and if any low joints are discovered, they are attended to. This second attention that is paid to the joints is technically called majoration of joints.

Checking of work done The cross levels and the longitudinal levels of the portion of the track that has already been attended to are checked after the passage of two trains. The variation in the cross level should not be more than 3 mm at any sleeper and the variation from sleeper to sleeper should not exceed 1 mm.

6 MSP of Joint Wooden Sleepers on Metal Sleeper Track

A joint is the weakest link in the track and special attention has to be paid towards its maintenance. The maintenance of joint sleepers is not very effective in the case of the conventional beater packing method because of the close spacing of the sleepers at the joint. The loosening of the packing at the joints results in a number of maintenance problems. MSP has been found to be very effective for packing joint wooden sleepers.

This method involves the usual through beater packing of the intermediate sleepers followed by MSP of the joint sleepers so as to bring the surface of the track to longitudinal and cross levels consistent with that of metal sleeper tracks. A detailed account of this procedure follows.

Calculation of total lift The total lift required is calculated by evaluating the voids at the joint sleepers and adding this value to the longitudinal lift required on account of the general sag of the track. The total lift for the two rails is then assessed as follows:

Total lift for sighting rail = longitudinal lift + voids under the sighting rail Total lift for second rail = fleximeter reading on sighting rail + voids under

the second rail + cross level difference at the joint

The cross levels are then correctly noted with the help of an accurate gauge-cum-level.

Lifting and packing of joint sleepers Joint sleepers are lifted to the required extent, but not more than 40 mm by means of non-infringing jacks. The required quantity of small stone chips are placed under the joint sleepers with the help of packing shovels. The jacks are then released from their positions and the sleepers are tamped with the help of blunt-ended crowbars so that they are evenly seated on the layer of chips.

Alignment corrections General alignment corrections are made while work is underway on the intermediate sleepers by way of the conventional beater packing method. Any disturbances that occur in the alignment during the MSP of joint sleepers are subsequently corrected.

7 Dehogging of Rail Ends

Hogged rail ends can be dehogged with the help of MSP in the following manner (Fig. 20.16).

1.  The dip at the joint sleeper (a) is measured by using a 1.5-m straight edge and a feeler gauge at a distance of 50 mm from the rail end.

2.  The dance at the joint sleepers (d), which is the gap between the sleeper and the ballast, is measured by a canne-a-boule or dansometer.

3.  The joint sleepers are lifted and packed to a value equal to d + a + a', where

d is the value of dance, a is the amount of dip, and a' is equal to a or 5 mm, whichever is lower.

After allowing traffic to run on the track for a period of two days, the adjoining sleepers are beater or shovel packed depending upon whether it consists of metal or wooden sleepers. The dehogging of rail ends is achieved because of the train loads. It may be necessary to repeat this procedure in case the rails are not completely dehogged.

8 MSP of Turnouts

The MSP of turnouts laid on wooden sleepers is quite effective. This process involves the following steps.

Measurement of voids Voids in the main line as well as on the turnout side are measured by a canne-a-boule.

Location of high points The high points are then located using a gauge-cum-level and these are marked on the stock rail.

Conversion of high points to good points High points are converted into good points on the stock rail.

Longitudinal levelling Longitudinal levels on the stock rail are measured by means of a viseur and a mire.

Total lift Total lift is the sum of the number of packing voids and the difference in the longitudinal levels.

Shovel packing The ballast between sleepers is completely removed and the track is lifted by using track jacks.

Putting back the ballast After packing, the ballast is put back and the joints are tackled once again, if necessary.

Alignment correction The main line is aligned with the help of a viseur and a mire.

Attention to approaches Approaches to the turnout are dealt with by means of MSP or beater packing to adjust the longitudinal levels.

9 Organization of Labour for MSP

Proper organization of labour is necessary for successfully implementing the MSP programme on Indian Railways. Normally, a gang of 9 to 15 persons khalasis and one mate headed by a PWI grade III are employed for carrying out various MSP works. A rough estimate of the strength of the MSP task force is given in Table 20.2 along with the average progress achieved by it.

20.5.10 Equipment Required

Table 20.3 lists the equipment normally required for carrying out the MSP of different works.

Table 20.3   Equipment needed for MSP

11 Future of MSP on Indian Railways

MSP, though introduced only recently, has shown great potential for being used extensively on Indian Railways. The method is simple but scientific. It provides a better and lasting surface to the tracks and has also proved to be very beneficial to the economy. The method is particularly suited to Indian conditions due to the abundance of cheap labour and use of simple equipment manufactured indigenously. It was earlier believed that the method was suitable only for flat-bottomed sleepers such as wooden and concrete sleepers, but recent trials have proved that the technique can be used for maintaining steel and CST-9 sleepers as well.