Short Note on Maintenance of CMS Xing

Maintenance of CMS Xing

(i) The procedure followed for inspection and maintenance of ordinary points and Crossings should be followed in the case of CMS crossing also.

(ii) Due to heavier weight of the CMS crossing the sleepers under the crossings are likely to develop a concave shape in the central portion tending to minimize the life of wooden sleepers it is therefore, important that the crossing sleepers are well- packed.

(III) Incorrect gauge at the crossing may lead to excessive wear on the nose or check rail and may result in possible derailment. The gauge, therefore, at the crossing should always be correct; there is likelihood of gauge face of wing rails developing sharp corners due to wear and inadequate flange way clearance which would result in rapid wearing of the wheels passing over them. In such cases the gauge faces should be rounded off to 10 mm radius by grinding.

(iv) The flange ways of the CMS crossings should be ground to proper radius after it has been in service from 3 weeks to 3 months. Depending on the traffic. A second grinding two or three months later is also recommended as this will increase the life of the crossing before it will need further attention.

(v) Whenever the metal has flown out on nose or wing rails, the extra metal should be filed in such a way that the contour profile is not disturbed . where filing becomes difficult the only alternative is to try grinding by means of a portable pneumatic or electric grinder taking care that the location does not get excessively heated up .

(vi) No attempt should be made to make holes in the CMS crossing by flame cutting, as this will lead to cracking of the crossing.

(vii) When laid in locations subjected to heavy traffic density. a careful watch should be kept to find out development of hair cracks and wavy corrugations. If these develop, the crossing should be replaced and sent for metallurgical investigations.

(viii) After laying the CMS crossing an initial speed restriction of 50 kmph should be imposed for about 3 weeks or the passage of 50,000 axles, The crossings should then be inspected for cracks defects and if they are found to be free from any cracks, defects etc. The speed restrictions may be withdrawn at the discretion of the chief Engineer.