NOWGONG POLYTECHNIC

SESSION 2022-25

REPORT ON
CROSS SECTION OF RAILWAY

PRESENTED BY
SURUZ JYOTI DEKA NOP/22/CV/006
EKUJUTI BORAH NOP/22/CV/026
KAUSTUV MONI NATH NOP/22/CV/027
DHRUBAJYOTI MORANG NOP/22/CV/045
MAFIZUR RAHMAN NOP/22/CV/053
BHASKAR DAS NOP/22/CV/063
Railway Track
• The combination of rails, fitted on sleepers and resting on ballast and subgrade is called the
railway track or permanent Way.
• Consist of ;
1.Rails
 2.Sleepers
3.Balast
4.Subgrade

• Requirements of an ideal Permanent Way

ØGauge should be uniform and correct.

ØThe rails should be in proper level

1. Straight track - two rails must be at the same level.
2. Curves- outer rail should have proper superelevation.

ØTrack should have enough lateral strength.

ØThe radii and superelevation on curves should be properly designed and maintained.
ØTrack should be resilient and elastic in order to absorb shocks and vibrations of running
track.
ØJoints, including points and crossing which are regarded to be weakest points of the
railway tracks should be properly designed and maintained.
ØThere should be adequate provision for easy renewals and replacements.
ØDrainage system must be perfect.
ØThe track structure should be strong, low in initial cost as well as maintenance cost.
Typical Cross-Section of a Railway Track

Components Parts of a Railway Track

1) Rails
ØUnsymmetrical I sections made up of steel.

Functions
Ø Provide a hard, smooth and unchanging surface for passage of heavy moving
loads with a minimum friction between the steel rails and steel wheels.
ØBear the stresses developed due to heavy vertical loads, lateral and braking
forces and thermal stresses.
ØTransmit the loads to sleepers and consequently reduce pressure on ballast
and formation below
1. Sleepers (Ties):
Definition:
Sleepers, also known as railroad ties, are horizontal supports placed beneath the rails in a railway
track.
Functions:
Hold the rails at the correct gauge (distance apart).
Distribute the load from the rails to the ballast.
Provide stability to the track structure.
Maintain alignment of the track.
Types of Sleepers:
Wooden Sleepers – Traditional, easily available, but decay over time.
Concrete Sleepers – Durable, heavy, and used in modern railways.
Steel Sleepers – Strong and resistant to weather, but may corrode.
Composite Sleepers – Made from recycled plastic or polymers, corrosion-resistant and longlasting.
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2. Ballast:
Definition:
Ballast consists of crushed stones or coarse gravel laid underneath and around the sleepers.
Functions:
Distributes the load from sleepers to the subgrade (ground).
Provides drainage and prevents water accumulation.
Restricts vegetation growth.
Holds sleepers in position by providing lateral and longitudinal stability.
Absorbs track vibrations and shocks from passing trains.
Desirable Properties:
Hard, durable, angular stones (like granite).
Free from dust, clay, or organic matter.
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3. Rail Sleeper Pads (Rail Pads):
Definition:
Rail pads are elastic pads placed between the rail and the sleeper (especially in concrete sleeper
tracks).
Functions:
Reduce impact and vibration between the rail and sleeper.
Prevent wear and damage to the concrete sleeper.
Electrically insulate the rail from the sleeper (important in electrified tracks).
Improve ride quality and reduce noise.
Materials Used:
Rubber
EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate)
Polyurethane
Composite polymers
RAILS – REQUIREMENTS

• Should be of proper composition

• Vertical stiffness should be high enough to transmit the loads.
• Capable of withstanding lateral forces
• Head must be sufficiently deep to allow for an adequate margin of vertical wear.
• Web should be sufficiently thick to bear the load & provide adequate flexural rigidity in
horizontal plane.
• Foot should be wide enough so that they are stable against overturning, especially on curves 54
Component Parts of a Railway Track.
• Bottom of the head and top of the foot of rails should be shaped as to enable the fish plates to
transmit the vertical load efficiently from the head to the foot at rail joints.
• The centre of gravity of the rail section must lie approximately at mid height so that maximum
tensile and compressive stresses are equal.
• The tensile strength of the rail piece should not be less than72kg/m2.
• The rail specimen should withstand the blow of Falling Weight Test or Tup Test as specified by
Indian Railway Standards without fracture.

Sleepers-Requirements
• Sufficiently strong to act as a beam under loads.
• Provide sufficient bearing area for the rail.
• Should have sufficient weight for stability.
• Facilitate easy fixing & taking out of rails without disturbing them.
• Should facilitate easy removal and replacement of ballast.
• Should be able to resist impact and vibrations of moving trains.

Ballast-Requirements
• Sufficient strength to resist crushing under heavy loads of moving trains.
• Durable enough to resist abrasion and weathering action.
• Rough and angular surface so as to provide good lateral and longitudinal stability to the sleepers.
• Good workability so that it can be easily spread of formation.
• Should not make the track dusty or muddy due to its crushing to powder under wheel loads.
• Should not have any chemical action on metal sleepers and rails.
 TYPE OF RAILWAY GAUGE

explanation of Broad Gauge, Meter Gauge, Narrow Gauge, and Standard Gauge:

The Broad-Gauge railway has a track width greater than the standard gauge, and in India, it
measures 1,676 mm (5 feet 6 inches). It is widely used in countries like India and is
preferred for its stability, higher speed potential, and ability to carry heavy and large loads.
Because of its wider track, it offers better comfort and safety for long-distance travel,
though it is more expensive to build and maintain.

The Standard Gauge has a width of 1,435 mm (4 feet 8.5 inches) and is the most
commonly used railway gauge in the world, including in countries like the USA, UK, China,
and most of Europe. It offers a good balance between cost, speed, and capacity and allows
for international compatibility across many rail networks.

The Meter Gauge, with a width of exactly 1,000 mm (3 feet 3.3 inches), is often found in
older or less developed railway networks, especially in rural or hilly regions. It is more
economical to build than broad- or standard-gauge lines but has lower speed and capacity,
making it less efficient for modern high-traffic routes. Lastly,

The Narrow Gauge includes any railway with a width less than 1,000 mm. It is typically
used in mountainous areas or for light rail and industrial purposes, such as in mining or
forestry. While it is the cheapest to construct and can handle sharp curves and steep
gradients, it has very limited speed, stability, and capacity, making it unsuitable for major
rail transport today.
PHOTO OF MODEL