Transcript Track maintenance and inspection

CE 515 Railroad Engineering
Track Maintenance, Track Inspection, FRA
Regulations, and Research & Development
Source: Armstrong Ch 3, AREMA Ch. 3,
REES Module 2
“Transportation exists to conquer space and time -”
Track Maintenance
• Deterioration of one component affects the other
components
• Spot replacement vs. complete track renewal
• Work Activities performed on a cycle
http://www.ncports.com/userfiles/StemtoStern/091217RRTiesReplacement_0097.JPG
Track Maintenance
• For short lines/branch lines – maintenance is
done between trains or limited blocks of time.
• Windows for Maintenance Workers
Track Maintenance
• Track disturbance can lead to buckling
– Dynamic track stabilizer
http://www.struktonrail.com/en-us/RailInfraStructure/Pages/Stabilizers.aspx
Track Maintenance
• Lubrication – slows down the formation of
alignment and gage related problems
• Other friction modifiers?
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/pdfs/succes/tracglide.pdf
Track Maintenance
• Rail grinding – grinding machines or
trains equipped with grinding wheels
http://www.railroad.net/santucci/Grinding_the_weld.jpg
Daytime
Night
http://www.flashpointfire.com.au/images/gallery/WEB3_IMG.JPG
Track Maintenance
• Vegetation Control – chemical and mechanical
http://www.homegrowntimber.com/indexrailways.html
Track Maintenance
• Stabilization and Drainage
• Welding
http://peer.berkeley.edu/publications/nisqually/geotech/liquefaction/lateralspread/index.html
http://www.railroad.net/santucci/Flash_Butt_Welding.jpg
Track Maintenance
• Production Gangs
http://jeffwilk.com/granduncle.php?big=13
Recruiter
http://www.american-rails.com/railroad-ballast-regulators.html
Track Inspection
• Measures the condition of the track
• Determines where maintenance is
needed
• Visual and specialized
http://www.ensco.com/index.cfm?page=318
Inspector at Work
http://www.ensco.com/index.cfm?page=318
Track Inspection
• Rail Defect Testing – Ultrasonic vehicle
http://www.wins-ndt.com/ultrasonic_rail_flaw_detection.php
Track Inspection
• Gage Compliance - Geometry Cars
• Gage Restraint Measuring Systems (GRMS)
http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/co2.jpg
http://www.ensco.com/userfiles/file/Products_Services_PDF/07_Rail/Track-InspectionSystems/04_0204_ENSCO_Rail_Deployable_Gage_Restraint_Measurement_System.pdf
FRA Standards
http://www.fra.dot.gov/us
• Railroad Safety Act of 1970
– Gave federal government jurisdiction
(Federal Railroad Administration)
– Resulted in minimum safety standards
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Inspections
Roadbed and track structure
Geometry
Speed limits
• The FRA formulates and enforces rail
safety regulations.
FRA Standards
http://www.fra.dot.gov/us
• Classes of Track
– Originally defined six classes based on
speed
• Class 1 (10 mph freight) thru Class 6 (110 mph)
– Later expanded to include high-speed
• Classes 6 thru 9
– Represents speeds up to 200 mph
FRA Standards
http://www.fra.dot.gov/us
• Most railroads have their own standards
• FRA standards considered bare
minimum
• State and federal inspectors
– Can suspend rail operations due to
deficiencies
Research & Development
• Majority funded by FRA
– Others include Association of American
Railroads, supply industry, railroads
themselves
• Mostly focused on safety
– Also study maintenance, materials, design &
operations
• FAST track facility
http://www.aar.com/news/pdfs/GREEN_TECHNOLOGIES.pdf
Research & Development
• Noteworthy developments
– Necessity for rail head lubrication
– Improved turnout components
– Faster and more reliable inspection methods
• Still researching feasibility of very
heavy-axle-load cars
The Old Steel Rail – She Ain’t What
She Used to Be
• Recycle RR components
http://www.yorkblog.com/yorktownsquare/rails%201882a.jpg
http://www.coastpipeca.com/pictures/T-Posts.jpg