The Essentials Of Railroad Track Maintenance

By Jayne Rutledge


For long, rail transport has been able to address many of challenges facing road transport in particular such as jam menace in major cities and having to transport very heavy cargo that pose danger on highways.. In fact, with current innovations and technological experience that has greatly increased their speed; electric trains are quickly becoming the alternative to air transport. Just like other modes of transport, the network must be in the best condition all the time and this is why frequent railroad track maintenance must be prioritized.

The railroad as frequently affected and damaged by environmental factors like temperature changes, floods, earth quakes, volcanic related factors and many physical activities. As if this is not enough, the trains traveling on them vary in weight and speed. Other than damages resulting from vibrations, the physical wear and tear is unavoidable.

The problem is normally solved through one of two approaches depending on the overall objective. It can be through the minimal tolerance or the desirable tolerance. There is just a small difference between the two. The minimal tolerance targets at making the rail line safe for use while the desirable tolerance focus on comfort of those using it such as the passengers and staff. This means that desirable standards require more frequent and detailed maintenance job.

The objective of safety and comfort means that the desirable tolerance level is the best approach. It achieves this by determining the tolerable level that is comfortable enough but is economically viable. In order to achieve this, many factors must be balanced.

The tonnage and speed of traffic must also be carefully considered. Other than this, the traffic mixed and component age must also be factored in. All these are necessary in formulating the best standards and frequencies of maintenance work as they play a big role in wear and tear.

Currently, there are several track inspection machines capable of collecting varied information from the railway line. One commonly used machine for this purpose is the High Speed Track Recording Coach which engineers simply refer to as HSTRC. It collects data on various aspects such as the alignment, dynamic cross level, the gauge, the five and three meter twist, the top-left and top-right above and below datum among others.

With the correct machines and equipment with qualified and skilled engineers, the work should be able to keep the line at the most comfortable and safe level eliminating minor faults that may cause vibration denying the passengers comfort they deserve particularly at high speed.

The company contracted for railroad track maintenance must demonstrate technical capacity both in terms of experience, efficiency, the technology used, the engineers and the quotation. While you are in the process of making sure the railway system is comfortable and safe, it should not be the cause of delay and disruptions in services, unless unavoidable.




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