The construction of a new railway track involves three main stages: earth work to prepare the formation, plate laying which involves laying rails and sleepers, and laying of ballast. There are different methods for plate laying such as the tramline method, telescopic method, and American method. Maintenance of the track is also important and involves daily inspection and maintenance as well as periodic maintenance to detect defects.

1. CONSTRUCTION
OF A RAILWAY
TRACK
Prepared By:
Arbaz Kazi
Asst. Professor
VCET, Vasai (W)

2. Construction of a New Railway Line
The construction of a new railway track can be
divided into three stages.
1. Earth work.
2. Plate laying
3. Laying of ballast

3. The formation may be in an embankment or a
cutting depending upon the general topography of the
area.
 A formation in an embankment is normally
preferred from the point of view of good drainage.
The height of embankment above highest water in
the area should be at least 60 cm.
Earth work

4. Earth work
Gauge Type of
formation
Width of
Single line
Formation
Double line
B.G Embankment 6.10m 10.82m
Cutting 5.40m 10.21m
M.G Embankment 4.88m 8.84m
Cutting 4.27m 8.23m

5. Plate laying
The operation of laying out of the rails and sleepers over the
ready formation is known as plate laying.
The point from where the laying of track starts is known as
the base and the point upon which the new track is carried
out is known as the rail head.
Methods of plate laying
1. Tramline method or side method
2. Telescopic method
3. American method

6. Tram line method or side method:
This method is used for plate laying in flat country
 Used when new track is laid next to the existing
track
 For plate laying of new track, either of the
following two methods may be adopted
 (i)A service road is constructed parallel to the
proposed track and the materials are transported
to the site of the work

7. (ii)A temporary rail line parallel to the proposed
track and the materials are transported in wagons.
This temporary line is known as tram line
 In this method all the materials are taken from
the central depot in material trains on the
existing track and are spread on the formation of
new track
 After completing spreading, the work of
assembling is started from one end manually

8. Tram Line Method or Side Method

9. Telescopic method:
This method is used very widely in India
 The material are transported in material train to
the farthest point of new track and unloaded.
 These materials are then transported to the point
where work is in progress and different
components of track are assembled here.
 In all 5 operations are involved in telescopic
method.

10. 1. Collection and Preparation of material at depot
2. Transportation of materials from depot to work site
3. Unloading of material at the worksite and carrying
them to rail head
4. Fixing the rail to the sleepers and joining the two
rails with fish plate or by welding
5. Packing of track for correct level and alignment
OPERATIONS INVOLVED

13. American method
This method involves all mechanical work
• This method consists of fixing rails to the sleepers
and lifting the whole unit by heavy cranes.
• First one is linked with the rail head, then the
train moves ahead by one rail length and the same
procedure is repeated.
• This method is un-economical one and is not used
in India

15. Laying of ballast
The ballast is normally spread on the railway lines after the
embankment has settled well and at least two monsoons have passed
over it.
The work of spreading the ballast is done by means of ballast trains,
which have special hoppers through which the ballast can be
automatically unloaded onto the track.
Alternatively, ballast is loaded in wagons of the train and then
unloaded at the site into a number of heaps at suitable intervals along
the track.
Then packing of ballast is done by the workers by means of shovels.

16. TRAIN USED FOR LAYING BALLAST

17. Method of relaying:
• Work of relaying the track is normally divided into the
following stages:
• (i)Preliminary work:
• To prepare schedule of materials per 100m length or
per km of the track.
• The entire quantity is collected at the central store,
from which day to day requirements is drawn

18. (ii)Laying of the track:
✓ Removal of the fittings.
✓ Removal of rails and sleepers
✓ Placing of new sleepers
✓ Laying of rails
✓ Laying of second rail
✓ Finishing
iii)Construction of the track:
✓ Tightening of the fittings
✓ Distribution of ballast
✓ Further packing of ballast
✓ Return of released material to store

19. Maintenance of track:
• The railway track requires proper watch and
ward for security reasons
Maintenance of railway track consists of
• (i) Daily maintenance (ii) Periodic Maintenance
• For daily maintenance the track is divided in to
sections of 5 to 8 kms lengths.
• Each section is look after by a gang

20. The daily maintenance consists of
❖ General inspection of the track
❖ Checking up of all fastenings and fittings
❖ Tightening of bolts wherever required
❖ Reporting by unusual occurrence
❖ The periodic maintenance consists of detailed inspection of the
track to detect defects in the track which may not be detected during
daily maintenance.
❖ The various aspects of periodic maintenance are as below
❖ Maintenance of track alignment
❖ Maintenance of track drainage
❖ Maintenance of track components
❖ Maintenance of level crossing

21. Maintenance of track materials:
The top surface of the rails should be kept at the same level
Ballast under sleepers should be regularly packed
Defective sleepers should be replaced immediately
Worn-out rails should be replaced
Kink or fracture rails should be replaced
Fastening should be tightened and oiled
Gauge should be checked and corrected
Ensure that both the rails are at same level
Maintain track drainage properly
Oiling and greasing of fishplates regularly
Flanges and check rails should be kept free from dust

22. Maintenance of Bridges:
Proper embankment should be provided near the bridge
Avoid scouring near abutments and piers
Flood control measures should be taken near the bridges
Riveted joints should be inspected periodically
Bed blocks should be checked regularly
Steel bridges should be painted regularly
Bearings of the girders should be oiled regularly
Masonry works should be inspected regularly

23. Maintenance of rolling stock:
Lubrication of all reciprocating parts and bearings
Worn out parts should be replaced the rolling stock
It is necessary to clean the different parts every day
All axles which have run 3,22,000Km should be
replaced
A passenger vehicle used for 30years should be
dismantled and re-assembled
The locomotive boilers have to be carefully
maintained and removed every 15 years