Maintenance Of Rail Joints –
(1) Special care is needed for maintenance of fish plated joints to get better rail life as well as improved running.
(2) The efficient maintenance of joint depends on:
(a) Efficiency of fastenings.
(b) The efficiency of packing and correct spacing of sleepers.
(c) The provision and maintenance of correct expansion gaps
(d) The proper lubrication and fishing of the joints.
(e) The correct maintenance of gauge and cross levels and proper packing.
(f) Efficient drainage.
Defects in rail joints –
Some of the major defects, noticed at the rail joints and the preventive measures suggested to rectify or minimize the deficiencies /defects noticed are detailed below
(a) Slack sleepers – Maintenance of joints by Measured Shovel Packing in case of flat bottomed sleepers improves the condition of the joints. In the case of conventional maintenance by beater packing it should be ensured that the sleepers do not get tilted.
