CE 515 Railroad Engineering Track Maintenance, Track Inspection, FRA Regulations, and Research & Development Source: Armstrong Ch 3, AREMA Ch. 3, REES.

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

http://www.flashpointfire.com.au/images/gallery/WEB3_IMG.JPG

Night

Daytime

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

http://www.american-rails.com/railroad-ballast-regulators.html

Recruiter

Track Inspection

• Measures the condition of the track• Determines where maintenance is

needed• Visual and specialized

http://www.ensco.com/index.cfm?page=318

http://www.ensco.com/index.cfm?page=318

Inspector at Work

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-Inspection-Systems/04_0204_ENSCO_Rail_Deployable_Gage_Restraint_Measurement_System.pdf

FRA Standards

• Railroad Safety Act of 1970– Gave federal government jurisdiction

(Federal Railroad Administration)– Resulted in minimum safety standards

• Inspections• Roadbed and track structure• Geometry• Speed limits

• The FRA formulates and enforces rail safety regulations.

http://www.fra.dot.gov/us

FRA Standards

• 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

http://www.fra.dot.gov/us

FRA Standards

• Most railroads have their own standards

• FRA standards considered bare minimum

• State and federal inspectors– Can suspend rail operations due to

deficiencies

http://www.fra.dot.gov/us

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.coastpipeca.com/pictures/T-Posts.jpghttp://www.yorkblog.com/yorktownsquare/rails%201882a.jpg