The document discusses the history and significance of Indian Railways, its extensive network and employment figures, and details about track maintenance, including its definitions, needs, advantages, and methods. It covers the characteristics of a good track, maintenance schedules, and operational procedures, emphasizing the importance of effective track maintenance for safe and efficient railway operations. The author concludes that Indian Railways is committed to improving track maintenance practices.

1. V. Hari Krishna, R111794,
Civil Engineering 4th Year,
RGUKT, RK Valley, Idupulapaya.

2. CONTENTS
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History of Indian Railways
What is track ?
Definition of Track Maintenance
Need of track maintenance
Advantages of track Maintenance
Characteristics of good track
Annual programme of regular track maintenances
Different systems of track maintenance
Conclusion

3. About Indian Railways
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 It is one of the world's largest railway networks comprising 1,15,000 km
of track over a route of 67,312 km and 7,112 stations.
 Indian Railways is the world‘s largest commercial or utility employers,
by number of employees, with over 1.376 million employees.
 India’s First train ran between Mumbai and Thane in 1853.
 It’s tag line is “Lifeline to the Nation”
 It is headquartered in Delhi.

4. About South Central Railway, Vijayawada
 I did my internship at South Central Railway, Vijayawada
 It is one of the six railway divisions under SCR.
 It is the second busiest railway junction next to Mumbai
Central.
 It has 10 platforms with 22 track lines.
 Everyday more than 250 passenger trains and 150 freight trains
utilize this station.
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5. What is a Track ?
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A track or permanent way is the railroad on which trains run.

6. Definition of Track Maintenance
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It is the overhauling of track periodically with the object of
restoring it to its best possible condition in which it can serve all
the requirements of a good track.

7. Need of Track Maintenance
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1. 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.
2. 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.
3. The track and its components get worn out as a result typical
climatic conditions.

8. Advantages of Track Maintenance
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 Life Time of track increases.
 Reduces operational costs and fuel consumption up to 20 – 30 %.
 Provides safe and smooth running of trains.
 Gives pleasant ride to passengers without giving any noisy
sounds.
 Higher speed of trains is achieved.

9. Characteristics of Good Track
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 The gauge should be correct or within the specified limits.
 There should be no difference in cross levels except on curves.
 The alignment should be straight and kink-free.
 Longitudinal levels should be uniform.
 The ballast should be adequate and the sleepers should be well
packed.
 Track drainage should be good
 Fittings and Fastenings must be firmly fixed.

10. Annual Programme of Regular Track
Maintenances
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S.No Period Work
1 Post monsoon
attention: For about
six months after end
of monsoon
Have to check everything
2 Pre monsoon attention
for about 2 months prior to break
of monsoon.
Mainly Focusses on drainage
3 Attention during monsoon for
about four months
Mainly focuses on drainage and also daily
patrolling in case heavy rain

11. Different Systems of Track Maintenance
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1. Conventional System of Track Maintenance
2. 3 – Tier System of Track Maintenance
In India Conventional system of track maintenance
is adopted. We will discuss about it.

12. 12
Powrah
Jim Crow
Sleeper Tongs
Tools used in Track Maintenance
Wooden Mallet

13. 13
Shovel
Crow Bar
Track Lifter
Tampers

14. 1. Through Packing (Conventional Beater Packing)
The length track opened in day should not be more than the efficient
maintenance to be done to that track at the end of the day.
It consists the following operations in sequence.
a) Opening of the road.
b) Examination of rails, sleepers and fastenings.
c) Squaring of sleepers.
d) Slewing of track to correct alignment.
e) Gauging.
f) Packing of sleepers.
h) Boxing of ballast section and tidying.
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15. a)Opening of the road
Ballast should be opened on either sides of rail seats, depth
upto 50 mm
They should not disturb cores under sleeper.
Opening length on either sides is different for different
gauges
For B.G 45 cm
For M.G 35 cm
For N.G 25 cm
It is done with the help of shovels and powrahs
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16. (b) Examination of Rails, Sleepers and Fastenings
Rails should be checked for wear and tear, corrosion, Cracks at rail
joints, cracks at ends.
Sleepers condition at rail seats
Check for loose Fastenings and fittings.
(c) Squaring of Sleepers
Gauge variations and kinks inevitably
results from sleepers getting out of square.
It is done by planting the crow bars firmly
against the sleeper and pushing it
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17. (d) Slewing of Track to Correct Alignment
It is to ensure the correct alignment of track.
It will be checked for alignment from a distance 25-30 metres.
(e) Gauging
It is to maintain uniform gauge distance.
For B.G. 1676 mm, M.G. 1000 mm and 762 mm for N.G
It is done only if the sleepers are truly square.
Because of aging and different conditions of sleeper it is not
possible to maintain exact gauge distance.
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18. (f) Packing of sleepers
It is to check whether each sleeper is fixed firmly and
uniformly with the ballast.
It is done with respect of one fixed sleeper to others.
Each sleeper should be packed at a time by 4 members.
After packing they will be blown by a wooden mallet.
A hollow sound will indicate defective packing.
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19. (g) Boxing to Ballast section and Tidying
After all the operations done in sequence a clean
ballast should be made with ballast forks or rakes.
Ballast should be dressed with hemp cord of 6 mm
dia.
Ballast should be fully filled, at inadequate sections.
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20. Conventional System of Track Maintenance
Continued ….
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2. Track Maintenance by Machines
3.Measured Shovel Packing
4. Systematic Overhauling
(a) Shallow screening and making up of ballast.
(b) All items attended to, while doing through packing.
(c) Making up the cess.
5. Deep Screening of Ballast
6. Lubrication of Joints
7. Picking up Slacks
8. Using of Bio Toilets

21. Conclusion
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From this topic I came to know that track maintenance is
essential for safe, economic and smooth running of a rail.
Indian Railways is taking special care about track
maintenance, introducing new ideas to do track maintenance
more efficiently.

22. Any Queries ….?
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23. REFERENCES
 [1] Railway Track Engineering by J.S.Mundrey
 [2] http://www.indianrailways.gov.in
 [3] http://www.wikipedia.com
 [4] Railway Engineering by Satish Chandra and MM
Agarwal
 [5] https://www.google.co.in
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