Short Notes - Repair of Rail Fracture (Engineering P Way)

 Repair of Rail fracture. 

RECTIFICATION OF RAIL FRACTURES

Equipment required 

i. Special 1 meter long fishplates with screw clamps and joggled fishplates with bolted clamps.

ii. Steel tape capable of reading upto one mm

iii. Alumino-thermic welding and finishing equipment 

iv.Equipment for distressing 

 v. 6.5 meter long sawn rail cut piece of the same section as LWR duly tested by USFD

vi. Rail closures of suitable lengths 

vii. Equipment for protection of track

viii. Equipment for night working 

Procedure for repairs 

If any fracture takes place on LWR/CWR immediate action shall be taken by the official who detected the fracture to suspend the traffic and to protect the line. He shall report the fracture to the Gangmate/keyman/PWI, who shall arrange foe making emergency repairs to pass the traffic immediately. 

Repairs shall be carried out in four stages as described below:-

a)Emergency repairs to pass the traffic immediately

b)Temporary repairs 

 c) Permanent repairs

d) Destressing.

Emergency repairs

The fractured rails shall be joined by using arrangements. If the gap at fracture does not exceed 30 mm, insertion of any closure rail piece is not necessary. The traffic may then be resumed at a speed of stop dead and 10 km/h for the first train and 20 km/h for subsequent trains. 

Temporary repairs 

If a welding party is not easily available, the fracture shall be repaired by using a cut rail (not less than 4 metre long) and clamped/bolted as per arrangement. 

i. A traffic block shall be taken as soon as possible preferably when the rail temperature is within the range specified. 

ii. (a) Two points on either side of the fracture shall be marked on the rail such that the length of closure fail to inserted is equal to the total length of the rail pieces removed from the track minus allowances for two welds and saw cut (normally 51 mm). 

(b) Alternately two points on either side of the fracture shall be marked on the rail at a distance equal to the length of the available closure rail. The length of closure rail should not become less than 6 metre at the time of permanent repairs.

iii. the rails shall then be cut through at these points simultaneously, if possible. The closure rail shall then be inserted and joined. After joining , the traffic shall than be resumed at restricted speed in accordance with annexure-III. In case closure rail as per above is inserted, one of the joins may have to be provides with closure piece of adequate width and joined by one metre fishplate and clamps.

Permanent Repairs: After taking proper block one joint should be weld first and thereafter second joint should be welded with the help of rail tensor nd speed is relaxed.

De-Stressing: De-Stressing should be done at least equal to the breathing length i.e. about 70 mtr on either side of the fracture.