The document outlines the objectives and learning outcomes of a course on railway engineering, covering topics such as planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance. It includes historical development, importance, and classification of railway systems, particularly focusing on Nepal's railway status and future plans. Challenges in railway development are also highlighted, including funding issues and geographical constraints.

1. Railway Engineering
By: B. P. Devkota

2. Objectives
• The overall objective of this course is to
introduce the knowledge about railway
engineering in planning, design, operation and
mmaaiinntteennaannccee aassppeeccttss..
2

3. Learning Outcomes
– An understanding of importance of mass transportation
for the development of nation specially railway
transportation.
– Knowledge of railway and railway related infrastructure
aabboouutt::
• Engineering survey
• Planning
• Design
• Construction, Operation and Maintenance
3
CH-1
CH-2 ,3
and 4
CH-5
and 6

4. Contents
1. Introduction (4 hr)
2. Basic elements and their functions (15 hr)
3. Geometric design of track (12 hr)
4. Track drainage (4 hr)
5. Railway construction, maintenance aanndd ooppeerraattiioonn ((44 hhrr))
6. Railway accidents and disaster management (4 hr)
7. Modernization of railways and high speed rails (2 hr)
4

5. References
• Satish Chanda and M. M. Agrawal (2009), Railway
Engineering, Oxford University Press, New Delhi.
• B. L. Gupta and Amit Gupta (2003), Railway Engineering,
Standard Publishers Distributors, New Delhi.
• Rangwala (2013), Railway Engineering, CChhaarroottaarr PPuubblliisshhiinngg
House, India.
• Clifford F. Bonnett (2005), Practical Railway Engieering (2’nd
Edition), Imperial Collage Press, London.
• Railway Curves, Indian Railway Institute of Civil Engineering,
Pune 411 001, 2010.
5

6. CHAPTER-1, INTRODUCTION
By: B. P. Devkota

7. Contents
• Transportation System
• Historical development of railway
• Role of railways
• Classification of railway lines
• Alignment of railway lines
• Engineering Survey
7

8. Transportation System: Definition
• Consisting of:
– Fixed facilities (roadway, bridges)
– Flow entities (vehicles, trains, planes)
– Operation plan (route allocation for flow entities)
– Storage facility ((ppaarrkkiinngg,, ttaaxxiiwwaayy))
– Control system (signs, signal)
• That permit people and goods to overcome the friction of
geographical spaces
• In a most efficient, safe and convenient manner
• In order to achieve time and space utility for desired activity
8

9. Transportation System: Importance
• To derive benefits out of the system with
respect to:
– Political and environmental aassppeeccttss
– Cultural and social aspects
– Economic aspects
9

10. Transportation System: Types
1) Public or Mass transport system
– Public busses, railway, BRT, LRT, monorail
2) Private Transport System
– Car, jeep, mmoottoorrbbiikkee,, vvaann
3) Intermediate Transport System
– Taxi, auto
4) Combination and Coordination of System
10

11. Transport Modes
Modes
LLaanndd Water
Air Others
Roadway
Inland
Ocean
11
Inland Water
Transport
Railway
Railway

12. Historical Development: Global
• 16th Century:
– Mines in England used wooden roadways to
reduce the resistance of mining vehicles
– The rolling surface was provided wwiitthh aann uupprriissiinngg
edge in order to keep the vehicles on the track.
12

13. Reconstruction of flat
wooden track for
transporting silver ore;
guidance was by a vertical
pin running between the
timbers
Fig-3, Josephistollen (tiefer
Stollen) des
mittelalterlichen
Silberbergwerks Suggental
13

14. 14

15. Fig-2, Leitnagel Hund (Mining cart )
Contemporary illustration of guided truck used in 16th-century
mines in Germany
Early mine wagon (German: Leitnagel Hund) running on wooden
rails. The vertical pin ran in the slot between the two narrowly
separated wooden rails
Fig: Mining Cart
15

16. Historical Development: Global
• 18th Century:
– In England in 1760, The wooden rails were
covered with cast iron plates
16

17. Fig-4, A section of L-shaped plate rails
Ref: Wikipedia from a Welsh tramway in the Berlin Technical Museum,,
17

18. Historical Development: Global
• About 1800:
– Free bearing rails (Outtram) were applied, which
were supported at the ends by cast iron sockets
oonn wwooooddeenn sslleeeeppeerrss
– Flanged iron wheel took care of guiding
18

19. 19

20. 20
Fig-5, A long fish bellied rail supported over several chairs
Ref: Wikipedia, in the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry

21. 21

22. Historical Development: Global
• 1804 AD:
– The first full-scale working railway steam
locomotive was built by Richard Trevithick in the
United Kingdom and, on 2211 FFeebbrruuaarryy 11880044..
22

23. Historical Development: Global
23

24. Historical Development: Global
24

25. Historical Development: Global
• 1825 AD:
– The first railway for passengers was opened
between Stockton and Darlington.
25

26. Historical Development: Global
26

27. Historical Development: Global
Stockton__Darlington_Railway_Union_Coach-
Advertisement
27

28. Infrastructure Development
28 First_Iron_Railwaay_Bridge_Stocktown-Darlington

29. Infrastructure Development
Timber_Viaduct_on_the_Darlington__Newcaste
29
Railway 1844

30. Infrastructure Development
30
Tees_Railway_Viaduct_1858

31. Infrastructure Development
31 North_Entrance_of_Shidon_Tunel-1915

32. Historical Development: India
32

33. Historical Development: India
• Lord Dalhousie prepared the proposal for
railway lines between:
– Culcutta and Lahore
–– AAggrraa aanndd BBoommbbaayy
– Bombay and Madras
33

34. Historical Development: India
• The director of East India Company approved
his proposal
• The first railway line was opened for traffic on
16th April, 1853, between MMuummbbaaii aanndd TThhaannaa..
34

35. Historical Development: India
35

36. Historical Development: India
36

37. Historical Development: Nepal
• 1927 AD:
– First railway was started at the period of
Chandrashamsher from Raxaul to Amlekhgunj, 48
kkmm
• 1936 AD:
– Bijalpura-Janakpur-Jayanagar, 53 km
– Janakpur-Jayanagar 29 km is in operation
37

38. Historical Development: Nepal
38

39. Historical Development: Nepal
39

40. Historical Development: Nepal
• 2004 AD:
– Transport Corporation of Nepal - Janakpur
Railway was renamed to “Nepal Railways
CCoorrppoorraattiioonn LLttdd..
• 2011 AD:
– ‘Department of Railways’ was established on
2068/03/01 B.S (15-June, 2011)
40

41. Historical Development: Nepal
41

42. Railways in Nepal: Current Status
42

43. Railways in Nepal: Current Status
43

44. Railways in Nepal: Future Plan
44

45. Railways in Nepal: Future Plan
45

46. Railways in Nepal: Future Plan
46

47. Railways in Nepal: Future Plan
• Government of Nepal has completed the
feasibility study on East-West and
Kathmandu-Pokhara electric rraaiillwwaayy hhaavviinngg
total length of 1317.5 km
– Mechi-Mahakali ≈945 km
– Tamasariya-Bharatpur-Abukhaireni ≈ 72 km
– Pokhara – Kathmandu ≈ 187 km
– Connections to Indian Border Towns ≈ 113.5 km
47

48. Railways in Nepal: Future Plan
Connections to India:
I – Kohalpur-Nepalganj
II A- Butwal-Bhairahawa
II B – Bhairahawa-Lumbini
III- Simara-Birganj
IV- Bardibas
V – Itahari-Biratnagar
48
VI – Kakarbita

49. Railways in Nepal: Future Plan
• Kathmandu metro rail:
49

50. Railways in Nepal: Future Plan
• Kathmandu metro rail:
– Five metro lines - would be feasible:
• four lines inside the Ring Road
• One line rruunnnniinngg aarroouunndd rriinngg rrooaadd
– A feasibility study concluded that the railway
system in the Capital would costs US$ 3.88 billion
(Rs 330 billion).
50

51. Railways in Nepal: Future Plan
51

52. Railways in Nepal: Challenges
Lack of funding Capacity/Resources
Delay in decision and release of fund
52

53. Railways in Nepal: Challenges
Lack of experts
Dependence on others
53

54. Railways in Nepal: Challenges
Lack of expertise in tunnelling
54

55. Railways in Nepal: Challenges
Lack of priority for railway
55

56. Railways in Nepal: Challenges
Harsh topography not suitable for railway
56

57. Railways in Nepal: Challenges
Railway projects are not feasible for private
funding
Unlike roads, rolling stocks are to be managed
by ooppeerraattoorr iinn rraaiillwwaayy
57

58. Railways in Nepal: Challenges
• Safety and control system
58

59. Role of Railway
• At present age:
– Transportation are considered as an index of social,
economic and commercial development of a country
– The whole structure of industry ddeeppeennddss uuppoonn tthhee
well laid foundation of transportation
• For economic growth of country
– Adequate mode of transportation is indispensable
• Railway:
– cheapest and convenient mode
59

60. Role of Railway
• Was regarded as rival of inland waterway
• Exists practically all over the world
• Cheapest mode of transportation
Require least traction • ttoo mmoovvee iitt iinn
comparison to weight
• Direction of movement is controlled
60

61. Role of Railway
• Political Aspects
• Social Aspects
• Economic Aspects
61

62. Role of Railway
• Political Aspects
– Central and regional government are well
connected with the transportation, efficiency of
government iinnccrreeaasseess
– Opportunity of meeting people from different part
of the country, developing a sense of national
unity
62

63. Role of Railway
• Social Aspects
– Faster, Convenient and safer mode than highways
– Remove the feeling of isolation in people’s mind
– Easier to visit aatt vvaarriioouuss ppllaacceess
63

64. Role of Railway
• Economic Aspects
– Cheapest mode of transportation
– Large number of employment generation
– Increase mobility and industrial ddeevveellooppmmeenntt
– Stabilized cost of transportation
– Finally, national wealth of country increases
64

65. Classification of Railway Lines
• Broad Gauge (BG)
Track Classification
– Group-A
– Group-B
• Meter Gauge (MG)
Track Classification
– Q-Routes
– R-Routes
– Group-C
– Group-D
– Group-E
• R-1 Routes
• R-2 Routes
• R-3 Routes
– S-Routes
65

66. Broad Gauge (BG) Track Classification
Group A B C D E
1. Speed up to (kmph) 160 130 Sub-urban
100 100
urban
2. Type of Rail Section (kg/m-lenth
of rail)
• Traffic 20 GMT
• Traffic 10-20 GMT
• Traffic 10 GMT
60
52
52
-
52
52SS
3. Sleeper Density
(No. of Sleeper per km length)
1660 1660 or
1540
1660
or
1540
1660 or
1540
1540 or
1310
66

67. Broad Gauge (BG) Track Classification
Cont…
Group A B C D E
4. Ballast cushion
(Depth of ballast below
300 300 or
250
300 300 or
250
300 or
200
Sleeper)
5. Rails used (kg/mm2)
(Ultimate Tensile Strength)
90 UTS
6. Sleeper type Concrete or CST-9
67
CST-9= Central Standard Trial-9 Sleepers.
It is the 9th series designed and produced by
central office.

68. Meter Gauge (MG) Track Classification
• Q-Routes
– With max speed 75 kmph or
– Traffic density 2.5 GMT
•• RR--RRoouutteess
– With max speed = 75 kmph
– Traffic density 1.5 GMT
a. R-1 Routes 5 GMT per year
b. R-2 Routes 2.5-5 GMT per year
c. R-3 Routes 1.5 to 2.5 GMT per year
68

69. Meter Gauge (MG) Track Classification
Cont…
• S-Routes
– These are all remaining MG track with max
permissible speed 75 kmph
aanndd//oorr
– traffic density 1.5 GMT/year
69

70. Some IR- Track Specifications
• Permissible Degree of Curvature
– BG=100
– MG=160
–– NNGG==440000
• Length of Rail
– BG=13 m
– MG=12 m
70

71. Some IR- Track Specifications
• Turn-Out
– For goods train; 1 in
2
8 1
– For passenger train; 1 in 12 or 1 in 16
– For train with speed 300 kmph; 1 in 20 or 1 in 24
(not implemented, under consideration in India)
71

72. Some IR- Track Specifications
• Permissible Degree of Curvature
– BG=100
– MG=160
–– NNGG==440000
• Length of Rail
– BG=13 m
– MG=12 m
72

73. Alignment of Railway Lines
• Making the position of centerline on the
ground and giving the direction to the railway
track is known as alignment of the railway
track
• Components
– Horizontal components
• Straights, curves
– Vertical components
• Gradients
73

74. Purpose of New Railway Lines
• Strategic considerations
• Linking of trade centers
• Connecting port/boarder with interior of the
ccoouunnttrryy
• Shortening existing route
• Laying of branch line
• To develop un-developed areas
74

75. Requirements of Good Alignment
1. Fulfill the purpose of opening new track
2. Feasible to construct and maintenance
– Easy to construct, operate and maintain
33.. EEccoonnoommiiccaall
– Cost: construction, operation and maintenance
4. Safe
– Safe: construction, operation and maintenance
5. Aesthetic beauty
– Beautiful natural surroundings
75

76. Factors Controlling the Alignment
• Obligatory points
• Traffic
• Geometric Design Standards
• Topography ooff tthhee AArreeaa
• Economy
• Other Considerations
– Foreign territory
– Religious and other conservation area
76

77. Engineering Survey
1. Traffic Survey
2. Reconnaissance
3. Preliminary Survey
44.. LLooccaattiioonn SSuurrvveeyy
• Drawings
• Project Report
77

78. Traffic Survey
• General characteristics of location:
– Agriculture dominated
– Industrialized
–– FFoorreesstt ddoommiinnaatteedd
• Population, industries, towns, villages within a
range of 10-20 km on either side
• Places of tourism and pilgrimage (religious journey)
• The rust periods on the occasion of festivals
and fairs etc
78

79. Traffic Survey
• Location of existing features and scope of their
development by opening new railway track
– Industries
–– QQuuaarrrriieess
– Mines
– markets
• Estimate of traffic in terms of passengers and
wagons
• Traffic history and mode of transportation
79

80. Reconnaissance
• Following information are collected
– Physical features of country
– Type of soil
– Topography ooff tthhee aarreeaa
– Sources of water and their discharge
– Approximate elevation and depression of the area
– Labors, materials availability
– Climatic conditions
80

81. Reconnaissance
• Factors to be considered:
– Area, not route/line only
– Existing roads should not
• Instruments to be
used:
– Aneroid
guide the alignment
– Starting of route not alone
decide the selection
– Assumptions/specifications
– Survey route selection
– revenue calculation
Barometer
– Abney Level
– Prismatic
Compass
– Strong Binocular
– Pedometer
81

82. Preliminary Survey
• Instruments:
– Plane table and accessories
– Chain/tape
–– RRaannggiinngg rrooddss
– Tachometer survey
– Leveling instruments and staffs
– Prismatic compass
82

83. Preliminary Survey: Field Work
• Field work:
– Open traverse with RoW=100-150 m
– Control points
–– DDeettaaiilliinngg
• Elevation along alignment
• Rivers, streams, canals crossings
• Existing culverts, bridges etc if any
• Land ownership for land acquisition
• Local resources availability
– Climatic conditions
83

84. Preliminary Survey: Office Work
• Salient Features:
– General
– Length of track
• Drawings:
– Details of the field plan
– Profile
– Cross-sections
– Maximum and minimum
– Ruling and excessive
gradient
– Cost of sub grade and
formation
– No and type of bridges,
tunnels, culverts
width of formation
84

85. Location Survey
• From preliminary survey, a final route is decided
and is marked up on the prepared plan
• This is known as paper location….. In which the
following details aarree wwoorrkkeedd oouutt::
– Gradients
– Curves
– Contours
– Directions
– crossing of streams etc
85

86. Location Survey
• Specifications for route layout
– 15 cm pegs at 30 m intervals
– 60 cm pegs at 300 m intervals
– Masonry pillar at each kkiilloommeetteerr aanndd aatt BBMM
• Instruments:
– Auto Level
– Theodolite or total station
– Tape
86

87. Model Questions
1. Write a brief note on development on
railways in global as well as our context.
2. What is the role of railway for efficient
transportation ssyysstteemm??
3. Discuss the classification of railway lines.
4. What is alignment? Mention the factors that
control the selection of the railway
alignment?.
87

88. Model Questions
5. Explain about the various stages of railway
survey.
6. What are the expected outcomes by
conducting reconnaissance ssuurrvveeyy??
7. How preliminary survey is different than final
location survey? Explain based on
instruments used, field work and expected
outcomes.
88

89. Model Questions
8. Discuss the comparative analysis of
proposed East-West and Kathmandu-Pokhara
electric railway in Nepal.
9. Is metro rail suitable iinn KKaatthhmmaanndduu??
Postulate logics to support your answer.
10.There is gap for railway construction in Nepal
from 1936 A.D. What are the possible
causes?
89