Explosive Depth Hardened (EDH) CMS Crossing The initial hardness of CMS Crossing is about 180-220 BHN while

that of cast steel wheels is 320-340 BHN. By the time hardness of CMS Crossing is increased through work hardening, wear to the extent of 2 to 3 mm takes place quickly. Explosive hardening process leads to increase in initial hardness to about 350 BHN in wear prone areas which reduces wear at nose and wing rails considerably leading to increase in service life of CMS Crossing. EDH CMS crossing is recommended for high GMT & heavy axle load route to reduce the requirement for reconditioning and increase in service life. In addition, geometry is not retained well in ordinary CMS Crossing. Wear in EDH Crossings is more regular which shall lead to less impact leading to reduction in maintenance effort. EDH CMS Crossings manufactured by M/s VAEVKN have been supplied for field trial at NR and SCR. The performance of 52 Kg 1 in 12 EDH CMS crossings laid in NR and 60 Kg 1 in 12 EDH CMS crossings laid in SCR have been found to be satisfactory. Wear at Nose and Wing rail in EDH CMS Crossing have been found to be less by 1 mm to 3.5 mm compared to Ordinary CMS Crossing. In view of satisfactory performance in limited field trial, Railway Board has approved extended field trial in Sept., 2012 - 50 sets each of 60 Kg 1:12 in NR, NCR, ER & SCR and 50 sets each of 52 Kg 1:12 in NR, NER &NFR. EDH CMS Crossing is widely used in foreign railway systems. The same has also been used in DMRC. According to Technical Standards of Track Structure for Metro Railways approved by Railway Board, the CMS crossing to be used on mainline shall be subjected to explosive hardening and All CMS crossings shall have a minimum initial hardness of 340 BHN.