Track Maintenance
Introduction
Railway tracks can be maintained
either conventionally by manual labour or by the application of modern methods
of track maintenance such as mechanical tamping or measured shovel packing. In
India, maintaining tracks has traditionally been a manual activity and the
'calendar system of maintenance' has taken deep roots. In this system, a
timetable or programme that outlines the track maintenance work to be done by
the gangs in the course of a year is drawn out and generally followed. As per
the timetable or calendar, the 12-month cycle of maintenance consists of the
following operations.
(a) Through
packing
(b) Systematic
overhauling
(c) Picking
up slacks
Necessity and Advantages of Track Maintenance
The railway track should be
maintained properly in order to enable trains to run safely at the highest
permissible speeds and to provide passengers a reasonable level of comfort
during the ride. Track maintenance becomes a necessity due to following
reasons.
(a) 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 and the safety of the track is jeopardized.
(b) 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.
(c) The track
and its components get worn out as a result of the weathering effect of rain,
sun, and sand.
A well-maintained track offers a
safe and comfortable journey to passengers. If the track is not maintained
properly, it will cause discomfort to the passengers and in extreme cases may
even give rise to hazardous conditions that can lead to derailments and a
consequential loss of life and property. Track maintenance ensures that such
situations do not arise. The other advantages of track maintenance are as
follows.
(a) If the
track is suitably maintained, the life of the track as well as that of the
rolling stock increases since there is lesser wear and tear of their
components.
(b) Regular
track maintenance helps in reducing operating costs and fuel consumption.
(c) Small maintenance
jobs done at the appropriate time such as tightening a bolt or key, hammering
the dog spike, etc., helps in avoiding loss of the concerned fitting and thus
saving on the associated expenditure.
(d) When
track maintenance is neglected for a long time, it may render the track beyond
repair, calling for heavy track renewals that entail huge expenses.
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