Laying of Sleepers

General - Sleepers shall be laid and maintained square to the rails on straights and radially on curves. Rail joints should be suspended.

Sleeper Spacing –

(a) The sleeper spacing on straights and curves shall be in accordance with approved plans. The sleeper spacing should be marked on the outer rail in case of curved track. Closer spacing should be provided at the joint sleepers of fish-plated joints and between the joint sleeper and shoulder sleeper.

(b) The following standard spacing should be adopted on fish-plated track

c) In the case of LWR on B.G. and M.G. the sleeper spacing shall be maintained at 65cm,

(d) In the case of SWR, the sleeper spacing for M+4 and M+7 densities.

(e) Where concrete sleepers are required to be laid in unavoidable circumstances in  SWR track the sleeper spacing including a fish plated joint shall be kept uniform. In addition 1 m long fish plates be provided at fish plated joints.

(f) In B.G. where SWR is expected to be converted into LWR within a year or two, 62 Nos. of sleepers shall be used per panel of 3x13m.

(g) Where SWR is to be converted into LWR soon after it’s being laid, sleeper spacing as prescribed for LWR in the LWR Manual should be adopted.

(h) The sleeper spacing under welded joints of all types with or without holes in rails shall be the same as the intermediate sleeper spacing.

Minimum Sleeper Density – ( as per cs no. 117 dated 19/05/09)

( a ) Broad Gauge :- The minimum sleeper density for all track renewals (complete track renewals and through sleeper renewals), Doubling, Gauge Conversion, New Line construction works shall be 1660 nos. per km.

Loop Lines :

Sidings

( b ) Meter Gauge :- In the case of M.G. Track renewals, the sleeper densities as recommended for the various M.G. routes are given below

Sleeper Density For MG

Note for BG & MG :- 

1. Higher sleeper density may be provided with the approval

of the Chief Engineer.

2. For LWR / CWR even on loop lines or sidings, minimum sleeper density shall be 1540 nos. per / km however, in case of PSC sleeper, sleeper density of 1340 nos. per km can be adopted in temperature zone – I & II.

3. In case of SWR, the minimum sleeper density is fixed as 1340 nos. per km.