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Permanent Way Notes

Permanent way refers to the track infrastructure of rails, sleepers, and ballast that trains run on. Over time, track technology has improved with demands for better alignment, drainage, and resilience to distribute train loads. Proper track design considers uniform gauge, cross-leveling, gradual gradients, and drainage to provide a smooth and stable ride.

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Radha Krishnan
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1K views6 pages

Permanent Way Notes

Permanent way refers to the track infrastructure of rails, sleepers, and ballast that trains run on. Over time, track technology has improved with demands for better alignment, drainage, and resilience to distribute train loads. Proper track design considers uniform gauge, cross-leveling, gradual gradients, and drainage to provide a smooth and stable ride.

Uploaded by

Radha Krishnan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Permanent Way and Good Track Requirements
  • Railway Crossing and Interlocking Systems
  • Material Handling and Fender Systems
  • Marine Railways

1. What do you understand by Permanent way?

Permanent way is the generic term for the track (rails, sleepers and ballast) on
which railway trains run. Although the configuration of the track today would be
recognized by engineers of the 19th century, it has developed significantly over the
years as technological improvements became available, and as the demands of train
operation increased.

Requirement of Good Track:

 The gauge should be correct and uniform.

 The rail should have perfect cross levels. In curves, the outer rail should have
proper super elevation to take into account the centrifugal force.

 The alignment should be straight and free of kinks. In the case of curves, a
proper transition should be provided between the straight track and the
curve.

 The gradient should be uniform and as gentle as possible. The change of


gradient should be followed by a proper vertical curve to provide a smooth
ride.

 The track should be resilient and elastic in order to absorb the shocks and
vibration of running trains.

 The track should have a good drainage system so that the stability of the
track is not effected by water logging.

 The track should have good lateral strength so that it can maintain its stability
despite variations in temperature and other such factors.

 There should be provisions for easy replacement and renewal of the various
track components.

 The track should have such a structure that not only is its initial cost low, but
also its maintenance cost is minimum.

2. Enumerate atleast three methods adopted to reduce the wear of rails?

Based on field experience, some of the methods adopted to reduce vertical wear and
lateral wear on straight paths and curves are as follows-

(a) Better maintenance of the track to ensure good packing as well as proper
alignment and use of the correct gauge
(b) Reduction in the number of joints by welding
(c) Use of heavier and higher UTS rails, which are more wear resistant
(d) Use of bearing plates and proper adzing in case of wooden sleepers
(e) Lubricating the gauge face of the outer rail in case of curves
(f) Providing check rails in the case of sharp curves
(g) Interchanging the inner and outer rails (h) Changing the rail by carrying out
track renewal
3. Draw a neat sketch of diamond crossing:

4. Write Cole’s method to determine the number of crossing:


A crossing is designated either by the angle the gauge faces make with each other
or, more commonly, by the number of the crossing, represented by N. There are three
methods of measuring the number of a crossing, and the value of N also depends upon the
method adopted. All these methods are illustrated below

Centre line method This method is used in Britain and the US. In this method, N is
measured along the centre line of the crossing.

Right angle method This method is used on Indian Railways. In this method, N is
measured along the base of a right-angled triangle. This method is also called Coles
method. Cot α/2 – N = N /1/2 or N = 1/2 Cot α/2
Cot α = N /1 or N = Cot α Isosceles triangle method In this method, N is taken
as one of the equal sides of an isosceles triangle.

Sin α/2 = ½ /N or N = 1/2N Cosec α/2 = 2N N = ½ Cosec α/2 The right angle
method used on Indian Railways, in which TV is the cotangent of the angle formed by two
gauge faces, gives the smallest angle for the same value of N.

To determine the number of a crossing-on site, the point where the offset gauge
face of the turnout track is 1 m is marked. The distance of this point (in metres) from the
theoretical nose of crossing gives N.

5. What are the objectives of inter-locking?


 Interlocking is a device or a system meant to ensure the safety of trains.
 With the increase in the number of points and the signals and introduction of
high speeds, it has become necessary to eliminate human error, which would
otherwise lead to massive losses of life and property.
 The points and signals are set in such a way that the cabin man cannot lower
the signal for the reception of a train unless the corresponding points have
been set and locked.
 The signal is thus interlocked with the points in a way that no conflicting
movement is possible and the safety of trains is ensured.
 Interlocking may therefore, be defined as a technique, achieved through
mechanical or electrical means by which it is ensured that before a signal is
taken 'off, the route which the signal controls is properly set, locked and held
till such time the entire route is traversed by the train and at the same time
all the signals and points, the operation of which would lead to conflicting
movements, are locked against the feasibility of such conflicting movements.
 The signal and interlocking system is so designed that the failure of any
equipment results in the turning 'on' of the signal, thus ensuring train safety.

6. Mention any four benefits of MRTS:


 A cheap mode of transport, the MRTS helps in low energy consumption, eco-
friendly (runs on electricity, thus minimising air and sound pollution).
 Averts the number of accidents.
 Efficient in terms of space occupancy (smaller right of way) and provides
comfort with ultra-modern systems like automatic ticketing, advanced
signalling systems, automatic train protection system and integrated security
systems.
 The international standard for MRTS with a maximum speed of 80kmph helps
in saving time.
 It is the most competent way of reducing the ever growing traffic congestion
of the developing city.

7. What is fender?

The cushion which is provided on the face of jetty for ships to come in contact is
known as fender.
It is provided for various forms and is made of different materials.
The common material used as fender for jetties is the framework of timber pile
driven into the sea bed at a short distance from the jetty and filling the space
with coiled rope, springs, rubber, buffers, etc.
The fender system controls the relative motion between dock and ship caused
by wind and waves.
Hence, it also prevents the paint of ships being damaged.

For the purpose of classification, the fenders can be classified in the following four
categories:

Rubbing strips:
In its simplest form, the fender system adopted for small vessels consists of
rubbing strips of timber, coir padding or used rubber tyres It is also
convenient to use pneumatic inflated tyres, either by suspending them or
installing them at right angles to jetty face. The inflated big-size tyres are
useful to transfer cargo between mother ship and daughter ships.

The pneumatic rubber fenders are very useful for transferring cargo from ship to
ship of big sizes.

Timber grill:
This system consists merely of vertical and horizontal timber members fixed to the
face piles. This is a simple form of fender and to make it more effective, energy
fender piles may be driven along the jetty face with cushion or spring inserted
between them.
Gravity-type fendering system:
As the ships grew in size, this s came into force and in its simplest form, it
consists of a weighty fender which is raised up when there is an impact of the
berthing ship and thus, the initial energy of shock, is absorbed.

Rubber tendering:
Due to the development of rubber technology and with, further growth in ship
size, rubber fendering is preferred at present. The shapes of rubber fenders may
be cylindrical, square, V-shape or cell type.

8. What are marine Railways?


 Marine Railway is a mechanical means of hoisting a ship out of the water
along an inclined plane.
 Lift capacities range from 100 to 6000 tonnes.
 The track slope can fit the natural slope of the shore in many cases. This
eliminates or reduces dredging or bulk-heading requirements.
 Vessels can be transferred to and from the shore relatively easily.
 Vessels longer than the dock cradle can be docked by overhanging the bow
and / or stem.

9. List of navigational aids in waterway Engineering:


Interlocking & track circuiting:

Track circuit The track circuit is an electric circuit formed along with the running rails
and connected to the signal and cabin. Its function is to indicate the presence of a
train (or vehicle) on the track. In order to set up a track circuit, the ends of the rails
forming the circuit are isolated by insulating the rail joints. The various types of track
circuits used on the Railways are as follows.
(a) Direct current track circuit
(b) Alternating current track circuit
(c) Electronic track circuit, which are audio-frequency track circuits

10. Site selection of Harbour:


The guiding factors which play a great role in choice of site for a harbour are as
follows
Availability of cheap land and construction materials
Transport and communication facilities
Natural protection from winds and waves
Industrial development of the locality
Sea-bed subsoil and foundation conditions
Traffic potentiality of harbour
Availability of electrical energy and fresh water
Favorable marine conditions
Defence and strategic aspects

11. Tides & waves:


The gravitational forces between earth and other celestial bodies like Sun
which in turn cause periodical variations in the level of water surface is called
tides. Waves are produced by joint action of wind and water. It has
tremendous damaging power at the harbour barriers. The waves take place
in the open sea due to the action of wind.

Common questions

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MRTS contributes to urban transport by providing an efficient, space-saving, and eco-friendly option that reduces road congestion. Running on electricity, it minimizes air and noise pollution and is cost-effective with low energy consumption. MRTS integrates advanced systems like automatic ticketing and train protection, enhancing comfort and safety, and its high speed saves time. These features collectively mitigate traffic congestion and encourage sustainable urban transport .

Critical factors for harbor site selection include the availability of affordable land and construction materials, transport and communication facilities, natural protection from winds and waves, local industrial development potential, seabed foundation conditions, traffic potential, and availability of energy resources. These factors determine the operational feasibility, safety, and economic viability of port operations, impacting long-term success and sustainability .

Cole's method measures the number of a railway crossing by using the right angle approach, where the number (N) is determined by the cotangent of the angle formed by the gauge faces. This method, used by Indian Railways, provides the smallest angle for the same value of N, which is crucial for ensuring precision in track alignment and reduces the likelihood of derailments, maintaining efficient and safe train operations .

Interlocking is a railway system device or technique that ensures trains' safety by eliminating human error through mechanical or electrical means. It prevents conflicting train movements by ensuring that before a signal is lowered, the corresponding track points are set, locked, and remain so until the entire route has been traversed. Interlocking keeps signals and points in positions that prevent conflicting movements, thus ensuring train safety. Additionally, the system is designed to turn signals 'on' if any equipment fails, further guaranteeing safety .

The MRTS contributes to modern urban infrastructure by providing a cost-efficient, eco-friendly mode of transport that reduces air and sound pollution since it operates on electricity. It helps avert a significant number of traffic accidents and is efficient in space utilization through smaller right-of-way requirements. MRTS offers comfort with features like automatic ticketing, advanced signaling, and integrated security systems. It operates at international standards with speeds up to 80 kmph, saving time and effectively reducing traffic congestion in rapidly developing cities .

Marine railways are inclined plane systems used to hoist ships out of the water mechanically for maintenance and repairs. With lift capacities ranging from 100 to 6000 tonnes, they fit natural shore slopes, often reducing dredging needs. Marine railways allow easy transfer of vessels to and from shore and accommodate long vessels by overhanging ends. Advantages include cost-effectiveness, efficiency in ship access for maintenance, and reduced environmental impact compared to traditional dry docks .

Primary factors for harbor site selection include the availability of cheap land and construction materials, transport and communication facilities, natural protection from winds and waves, local industrial development, sea-bed subsoil conditions, harbor traffic potential, availability of electrical energy and freshwater, favorable marine conditions, and defense and strategic considerations. These factors influence the harbor's effectiveness by ensuring operational efficiency, safety, and minimal environmental impact, while sustainability is bolstered by cost-effective construction and maintenance, and resilience to environmental changes .

Tides, caused by gravitational forces between the Earth and celestial bodies, lead to periodic water level changes which affect navigational depths and require precise timing for ship docking. Waves, produced by wind and water interaction, possess destructive power, impacting the design and placement of breakwaters and harbor barriers. Engineering decisions must account for these phenomena to ensure safe docking during varying tides and mitigate wave impacts, enhancing structural resilience and operational efficiency in harbor design .

The 'Permanent way' refers to the railway track structure, which includes rails, sleepers, and ballast. Key characteristics include correct and uniform gauge, perfect cross levels, proper super elevation on curves, straight and kink-free alignment with proper curve transitions, uniform and gentle gradients with smooth vertical curves, resilience and elasticity to absorb shocks and vibrations, efficient drainage to prevent waterlogging, lateral strength to maintain stability under temperature variations, and easy replacement and renewal capability. The structure should minimize both initial and maintenance costs .

To reduce rail wear, methods such as better track maintenance for proper alignment and gauge, reducing joint numbers through welding, using wear-resistant heavier and higher UTS rails, implementing bearing plates and proper adzing with wooden sleepers, lubricating the gauge face of the outer rail on curves, providing check rails on sharp curves, interchanging inner and outer rails, and conducting track renewals are employed. These methods enhance the longevity of railway infrastructure by reducing friction and wear, thereby minimizing maintenance interventions and prolonging the life of the track components .

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