CE6604-RAHE- Question bank

UNIT-1

RAILWAY PLANNING

2 MARKS:

1. Define Railway Engineering?

The branch of Civil Engineering which deals with the design, construction and maintenance of
the railway tracks for safe and efficient movements of trains is called Railway Engineering. In 1853,
first railway line was introduced between Bombay and Thane.
2. What is the role or advantages of Indian Railway in a National development?
The importance of Indian railway in National Development can be classified under following
heads
 Political
 Social
 Economic
 Techno- Economic
3. Tell in your understanding about the dis-advantages of Indian Railways?
 Requires a large investment of capital.
 The cost of construction, maintenance and overhead expenses are very high as compared to
other modes of transport.
 Inflexibility: It routes and timings cannot be adjusted to individual requirements.
 Rail transport cannot provide door to door service as it is tied to a particular track
 Railway transport is unsuitable and uneconomical for short distances and small traffic of
goods.
4. Define Alignment or Track alignment?
It is defined as the layout of centre line of the railway track. It may be horizontal or vertical.
Requirements of Ideal Alignment:
 Economic
 Short and
 Safe
 Easy for construction, operation and maintenance
5. What are the factors controlling the alignment of a railway track alignment?
 Obligatory points
 Traffic Potential
 Geometric design standards
  Topography
 Economic Viability
 Techno- Economic Characteristics
 Other Considerations.
6. Define obligatory points?
Obligatory points are the control points which govern the alignment of railway tracks. The
obligatory points which alignment has to necessarily pass through are
 Important towns and cities.
 Shortest width and permanent path of river
 Hill passes
7. What are the surveys to be conducted for the railway track alignment?
The surveys conducted to fix a best possible alignment are,
 Traffic survey
 Reconnaissance survey
 Preliminary survey or Initial location survey
 Detailed survey or Final location survey.

8. Write the modern methods of track alignment?

Innovative techniques like remote sensing and advancement in hardware and software
technologies should be used. Modern surveying equipment’s such as Electronic Distance Meter
(EDM), Total Station, Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geological Information System (GIS)
have become handy and made the work easier and effective.
9. Define permanent way? List out the elements of a Permanent way?
The combination of rails, fitted on the sleepers and resting on ballast and subgrade is called the
railway track or permanent way. It is rail road on which the train runs. The components of a
permanent way are,
 Rails
 Sleepers
 Ballast
 Formation
10. Define Rails? List the types of rails available? What are the functions of rails?
 Rails on the track are unsymmetrical I-section steel girders for the purpose of carrying the
axle loads.
 Made of high carbon steel to withstand wear and tear.
 Flat-footed rails are mostly used.
11. How do you select the section of a railway track?
A rail is designated by its weight per unit length.
 - Speed of train
- Gauge of the track
- Axle load and nature of traffic
- Type of rails
- Spacing of sleepers
- Max. permissible wear on top of rail (5% by wt. of rail is allowed)

12. What are the types of rails available?

a) Double headed rails (D.H)
b) Bull headed rails (B.H)
c) Flat footed rails (F.F)

13. Define rail joints? List out the types of rail joints?
A rail joint is the connection between two rails. It is necessary to hold together the adjoining
ends of the rails in the correct position. The types of joints are,
1.Supported rail joint
2.Suspended rail joint
3.Bridge joint
4.Welded rail joint
5.Staggered or Broken rail joint
6.Square or Even joint
14. Define FFR?
Along with B.H rails, flat footed rails or vignole’s rail was also developed. The rail section
having their foot rolled to a flat are known as flat footed rails.
15. Define Bull headed and double headed rails?
 The rails sections having their head of more dimensions then that of their foot are known as bull
headed rails (B.H.).
 Double headed (D.H) rails of dumb-bell sections were used at early periods. The rails having
their head and foot of same dimensions are known as double headed rail (D.H.).
16. Define creeps in rails?
Creep is defined as longitudinal movement of rails with respect to sleepers in a track. Creep is
common to all railway tracks. Its magnitude widely varies from several centimetres to negligible
 length in a month. Creeps should be measured frequently at an interval of about 3 months. Creep in
excess of 150mm should not be permitted on standard track.
17. What do you meant by coning of wheels?
 Wheels are shaped like a cone or made as a conical segment.
 This provides an outward slope of 1 in 20 to treads of wheel.
 This sloping is known as coning of wheels.

18. Define fish plate? Why it is named so?

Fish plates are rail fastener used to maintain the continuity of rails and to allow expansion or
contraction of the rail to maintain correct alignment of line both horizontally and vertically
19. Define spikes and its types.
 Holding the rails to wooden sleepers.
 Can be used with or without bearing plates.
Types:
 Dog spikes
 Screw spikes
 Round spikes
 Standard spikes & Elastic spikes
20. What is meant by bolt?
Used for fixing various track components in position.
Types:
 Dog or hook bolt
 Fish bolt
 Rag bolt
 Fang nut and bolt
21. Define ballast. Write the functions of it?
Ballast is the granular material usually broken stone or brick,shingle or kankar, gravel or sand
placed or packed below and around the sleepers to translate the load from sleepers to formation and
at the same time allowing drainage of the track.
Function:
i)Holds sleepers in position and prevent lateral and longitudinal movement.
ii)Transfer and distribute load from sleepers to large area of formation.
 iii)Imparts elasticity and resilience to track for proper riding comfort.
iv)Provides effective drainage to track.
v)Act as a medium of super elevation in curves of railway track.
22. What is Balastless track? Write its advantages and dis-advantages?
Ballastless tracks are the tracks constructed without ballasts using continuous slab of concrete
with rails supported directly on its upper surface. Ballastless tracks are usually considered for high
speed trains with speed over 250km/hr.
ADVANTAGES:
-Long life cycle
-High speed
-Excellent ride comfort
-Great load carrying capacity
-Maintenance free
DISADVANTAGES:
-High initial cost
-Closure of existing route for a long time.
23. What is super elevation? Write its functions?
Super elevation or Cant can be defined as the difference in height between the outer and inner
rail of curve. It is provided in field by lifting outer rail while keeping inner in tis original position.
A minimum cant of 185 mm may be assumed for B.G track. Cant gradient 1 in 1200
Functions:
 To minimize the wear and tear of the rails and rolling stock
 To attain better load distribution on rails
 To modify the effect of lateral forces
 To provide a comfortable journey to the passengers
24. What is meant by Adzing of sleepers?

Due to coning of wheels, pressure from wheels is always towards inner edge of rails. This
accelerates the wearing of rails. To reduce the wearing, foot of the rail also tilted to a slope of 1 in
20. Wooden sleepers are cut at top under rail seats. Cutting of wooden sleepers at a slope of 1 in 20
to provide tilting of rails is known as adzing of sleepers.
25. Define track stress? List the types of stress involved in a Railway track?
The stress occurs along the permanent way due to many loads called as track stress. Stresses on
railway tracks are caused due to various reasons:
 Wheel loads
 Dynamic effect of wheel loads
 Overbalance of driving wheels of locomotive
  Horizontal thrust
 Pressure exerted by flanges of wheel
 Irregularities in the track
 Additional stresses on curves
26. What is tilting/canting of rails?
 To eliminate the above mentioned disadvantages, “tilting of rails” is done.
 The base plates are inclined at a slope of 1 in 20 inwards.
 This is called as canting of rails.
 This helps to maintain the gauge properly and minimize the eccentric loading at inner edge.
27. Write in your own words about Rail fastenings?
Rail fastenings are used to keep rail in proper position and to set points and crossings properly.
The important fittings used in permanent way are,
 Fish Plates
 Spikes
 Bolts
 Chairs
 Blocks
 Keys
 Plates
28. Define Kinks in Rails? (Imp)
Ends of adjoining rails move slightly out of position is known as kinks.
CAUSES:
-Loose packing at joints.
-Defect in gauge and alignment
-Uneven wear of rail head.
EFFECTS:
-Unpleasant jerks when vehicles pass over them.
-A series of kinks at curve may cause defect in gauge, alignment and camber resulting in
serious risk in turning operation of train.
29. Draw a diagram for ‘Formation in Embankment and Cutting’.
Refer PPT diagram
30. What is meant by grade compensation?
31. Define cant excess and cant deficiency.
Cant deficiency (Cd): It is the difference between the theoretical cant required for such high speeds
and the actual cant provided.

Cant excess (Ce): It is the difference between the actual cant provided and the theoretical cant
required for such a low speed.
32. What is meant by cant?
REFER Q.NO 23
33. Define negative super-elevation?
When the main line is on a curve and has a turnout of contrary flexure leading to a branch line,
the super elevation necessary for the average speeds of trains running over the mainline cannot be
provided.
34. Define points and crossings?
The problem of division of trains from one track to another is solved by special arrangements
known as points and crossings. Crossing is a device, provided at locations, where two rails cross
each other.
35. Define gradient.
Gradient is the change in level of railway track. Two types of gradient are:
1. Rising gradient 2. Falling gradient
Rising gradient: It is one where track rises in the direction of movement.
Falling gradient: It is one where track falls in the direction of movement.
Gradients can be generally classified as:
1. Ruling gradient
2. Momentum gradient
3. Pusher or helper gradient
4. Gradient at station yards
36. Define turnouts and its components?
Turnout is the simplest combination of points and crossings which enables one track either a
branch line or siding to take off from another track. The objective is to provide facilities for safe
movement of trains in either direction or both the tracks. The important components of turnouts are,

a)A Pair of points or switches

b)A pair of stock rails
c)Check rails
d)Lead rails
e)Stretcher bars
f)Crossings or piece
g)Wing rails
37. Define switch and its components?
 Switch consists of stock rails and tongue rails.
 Consists of left hand or right hand switch.
 Switches are tapered rail with the thick end known as the heel fixed to the main track and
thinner end known as the toe movable by means of which the flanged wheels of train are
diverted from one route the other.
Components of a switch:
 A pair of stock rails
 A pair of tongue rails
 Heel block or distance block
 Stretcher bar
 Switch tie plate or gauge tie plate
 Sliding plates
38. Explain throw of a switch?
It is a distance through which the toe of the tongue rail move sideways to provide path for the
desired direction of turnout.The various values adopted are as follows
USA = 12.1cm
UK = 10.8cm
India = 9.5cm for BG and 8.9cm for M.G and N.G
-Though above values are specified for different gauges, generally 11.4 cm is provided.
39. Define Heel divergence.
The distance between the running faces of stock rail and gauge face of the tongue rail when
measured at the heel of the switch.
 UNIVERSITY QUESTIONS:

1. List the various gauges used in Indian Railways? (May/ June 2012)

a) Broad Gauge (B.G.) – 1.67 metres.

b) Meter Gauge (M.G.) – 1.00 metres

c) Narrow Gauge (N.G.) – 0.762 metres

d) Light Gauge or Freeder Track Gauge –0.610 metres.

2. Give the various functions of rails? (May/ June 2011)

1. Rails provide a hard, smooth and unchanging surface for passage of heavy moving loads with a minimum

friction between the steel rails and steel wheels.

2. Rails bear the stresses developed due to heavy vertical loads, lateral and barking forces and thermal

stresses.

3. The rail material is such that it gives minimum wear to avoid replacement charges and failures of rails due

to wear.

3. Define obligatory point. (May/ June 2012)

Obligatory points are controlling points which govern the alignment of railway tracks.

Some important obligatory points are; (i) Important towns and cities (ii) Shortest width

and permanent path of rivers (iii) Hill passes.

4. What are the disadvantages of “Coning of wheels”? (Nov/ Dec 2012)

The disadvantages are;

 Pressure of horizontal components near the inner edge of rails has a tendency to accelerate wearing of

rails.

 It tends to turn rails outwardly and consequently, the gauge is widened.

 Cause damages to outer edge of rails, if no base plates are provided.

5. What is meant by cant deficiency? (Nov /Dec 2012)

The equilibrium cant is provided on the basis of the average speed of different trains on the track. This

equilibrium cant or super elevation will fall short of that required for speed higher than average speed. This

storage of cant is called cant deficiency.

6. What are the various types of the Gradients that are adopted in laying a railway track? (May /June

2013)

(1) Ruling gradients

(2) Momentum gradients

(3) Pusher gradients

(4) Gradients in station yards.

7. On a B.G track of 4° curve, equilibrium cant is provided for a speed of 60 km/hr. Calculate

(i) Value of equilibrium cant

(ii) Maximum speed allowing maximum deficiency (May /June 2013).

Given data:

Degree of curve = 4°

Nominal Gauge (B.G) = 1750 mm

Speed of train = 60 km/hr.

Solution

Radius of curvature R = 1750/D = 1750/4 = 437.5 m

e = 1750 x 602/127x 437.5= 113.39 mm.

8. List the uses of remote sensing in route alignments. (Nov / Dec 2013).

Gives a birds’ eye view of a large areas. Ground condition can be defined with a combination of

satellite images and topographic maps.

9. Mention the functions of formation. (Nov / Dec 2013)

Formation is the base over which the ballast is spread. Sometimes the natural ground may not meet

the requirements for placing ballast. In such cases a raises bank is constructed over the natural ground which

is called the embankment. Sometimes, the formation below the natural ground is made which is called

cutting.

16 MARKS:

1. What are the advantages of Indian Railways? Explain in detail.

Importance of Indian railway in National Development can be classified under following heads
 Political:
 United the people of different castes, religious customs and traditions.
  Adequate network of railways have made the central administration easy and effective.
 During emergencies significant role in mobilizing troops and war equipment.
 Helpful in mass migration of population.
 Social:
 Feeling of isolation has been removed from inhabitants of Indian Villages.
 Traveling together in compartment without any restriction of caste and feeling of caste
difference has disappeared considerably.
 Social outlook of masses has been broadened through railway journeys.
 Easier to reach places of religious importance.
 Provide a convenient and safe mode of transport for the country.
 Economic:
 Mobility of people has increased and congestion has been reduced in many congested areas.
 Mobility of labour has contributed to industrial development.
 During famines, railways have played the vital role in transporting food and clothing to the
affected areas.
 Transportation of raw materials enhanced the growth of industries.
 Speedy distribution of finished products.
 Provides employment to millions of people and helps in solving unemployment.
 Land values have increased due to industrial development which ultimately results in the
increase of national wealth.
 Price stabilization of commodities could be possible due to easy mobility of products.
 Commercial farming is very much helpful throughout the country.
 Techno- Economic:
 Costs saving in transportation of long haul bulk traffic.
 Energy efficiency (Railways consume one-seventh of fuel used by road sector)
 Environment friendliness.
 Higher safety (fatal accidents one-tenth of road sector in India).
 Efficient land use and ease in capacity expansion.

2. Explain the conventional and modern methods of surveying for track alignment?
The surveys conducted to fix a best possible alignment are,
 Map study
 Traffic survey
 Reconnaissance survey
 Preliminary survey or Initial location survey
 Detailed survey or Final location survey.
Map study:
  Available maps for the survey areas should be studied before starting survey.
 Desk study helps in drawing various suitable alignment for easy reconnaissance.
 Survey maps of India or Aerial maps are used.
 These maps show contours, topographical features and physical land utilization like buildings,
cultivation etc..,
 Tentative alignment can be draw for conducting survey in a systematic manner.
 This process is known as map study or paper location.
 The following important maps are prepared for study
a) Topographical map: Shows all physical features (i.e.) land, buildings, rivers, bridges,
tunnels, contours etc..,
b) Agricultural map: Shows land, fertility value and agricultural products.
c) Industrial map: Shows location of industries, their nature and further development plans.
 Data collected during different stage of survey are same.
 But degree of accuracy and depth varies.
 It is very rough in case of reconnaissance survey and precious and in depth in case of detailed
survey.
 The different data collected are,
Topographical features
 Soil characteristics.
 Geological formation- soil strata, rocky structures and slips.
 Hydrological data-high flood and low flood levels, rainfall etc..,
 Cross drainage structures-bridges, culverts etc..,
 Proximity to construction materials.
Traffic survey:
 To determine the potential of available traffic.
 To determine the viability of new line or branch line, to ensure reasonable return on the investment.
 Present and future traffic potential should be considered.

 The following factors should be considered for traffic survey,

- Population census with reference to prosperity of the people and the locality, density and
distribution.
- Agricultural and industrial production along the line should be studied. Origin and
destination of such commodities should be surveyed and analysed.
Note: Refer slide in PPT (31-58)
3. What is permanent way? Explain the components of a permanent way?
SLIDE NUMBER: 60,62,63,65,66,67,68,69,115,116,117,118,129,130
4. Define rails? Explain its functions, requirements and selection of rails?
5. Compare the different types of sleepers with its advantages and dis-advantages?
6. Define super-elevation? Derive an expression for super elevation?
Refer your note for derivation.
7. Define gradient? Explain the different types of gradient.
Gradient is the change in level of railway track. Two types of gradient are:
1. Rising gradient 2. Falling gradient
Rising gradient: It is one where track rises in the direction of movement.
Falling gradient: It is one where track falls in the direction of movement.
Gradients can be generally classified as:
1. Ruling gradient
2. Momentum gradient
3. Pusher or helper gradient
4. Gradient at station yards
 Ruling gradient: It is the maximum gradient provided on a section of railway track. The value of
these gradient adopted by Indian Railways are,
 In plains, <3%, In hilly regions, >= 3%
 It imposes a limitation of hauling power of an engine.
 Gradient in any section of railway track should not be steeper than ruling gradient
Momentum gradient:
 Greater than the ruling gradient.
 Do not impose any limitations for hauling power of engines.
 While train moves in a falling gradient it gains momentum. This momentum gives additional kinetic
energy to moving trains.
 This additional energy acquired enables engines to negotiate a steeper gradient. This gradient which
is steeper than the ruling gradient is known as momentum gradient.
Pusher or helper gradient:
 In hilly areas topography is very steep.
 While reducing the total length of the railway, sometimes gradients are steeper than the ruling
gradient so as to reduce the overall cost.
 In this case, the pull exerted by one locomotive may not be sufficient and one more locomotive to
push or pull the train to be used.
 The gradient gets the name because of the use of additional locomotive for help to push.
Gradient at Station Yards:
 To prevent stationary vehicles from movement from station yard due to gravity and strong wind.
 To provide more power to start a locomotive, particularly on a steep gradient.
 Station yards are not completely flat but a certain gradient is given for the drainage purpose.
 Maximum gradient is 1 in 400 by Indian Railways.
  Gradient recommended in station yard is still flatter gradient of 1 in 1000.
Note: Refer grade compensation slide include that also
8. Define points and crossings? Explain the components of Switches and turnouts.
REFER PPT
 UNIT-II

RAILWAY TRACK CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

2 MARKS:

1. Distinguish Embankment and Cutting with at least two points?

Embankment: It is a raised bank of earth or other materials constructed above the natural ground. It is
constructed when railways have to be carried in low grounds or valleys. DRAW DIAGRAM.
Cutting: The raised ground or hill is cut or excavated for providing the railway line at the required level
below ground level. DRAW DIAGRAM NECESSARY
2. Define sub grade?
Subgrade is the naturally occurring soil, which is prepared to receive the ballast, sleepers and rails for
constructing the railway track. It is also called as formation. It may be embankment, cutting or level
depending upon the ground conditions.
3. Define level?
It is prepared surface which receives ballast without raising or lowering the level of the ground.
4. Define formation and width of formation?
Formation: The prepared surface which is ready to receive the ballast is called formation.
Width of formation: It is the width of the prepared surface to receive ballast.
5. Write the features of rail road bed level?
When the formation is to be made on embankment or cutting, various features should be carefully
considered.
1. Width of formation.
2. Slopes of sides
3. Drains
6. What is meant by soil stabilization?
The ideal material is soil containing gravel, sand, clay and silt in equal proportions with the moisture
slightly above the plastic limit. Non-cohesive soils in subgrade satisfy all the requirements of good subgrade
and do not need any improvement. But heavy clay, peat soils, loamy soils containing clay should be
avoided.
7. What are the methods available for soil stabilization?
The following are four usual methods of stabilization of track on poor soil:
 Admixtures of different soils
 Sub-drainage
 Blanket
 Cement grouting
 Sand-piling
  Concrete mats or slabs
8. Define tunneling?
A tunnel is a underground passage for transport of passengers, water, sewage, minerals, gas, etc.
9. Write the methods of tunnelling?
Methods of tunnelling: Tunnelling through rock:
 Full face method
 Heading and benching method
 Cantilever car dump method
 Drift system
 Pilot tunnel method
Tunnelling through soft ground:
 Fore poling method
 Needle beam method
 Five piece method
 Liner plates method
 Other methods.
Methods of Tunnelling through SUB-AQUEOUS STRATA:
 Shield tunneling
 Plenum process or compressed air tunneling
10. What is meant by ventilation of tunnels?
 Workers involved require fresh air
 To remove the dust, objectionable gases and dynamite fumes formed during blasting and other
operations
 Ventilation may be achieved by means of fans which may be blow-in or exhaust type.
 Shafts are used for ventilation after the construction of the tunnel. It may be working shafts or
ventilation shafts.
11. What is the necessity of maintenance?
 PWI inspects every tunnel once in a year after the monsoon season.
 Points to be noted during maintenance:
 Slopes of portals at the entry and exit should be checked
 Masonry cracking or deterioration
 Any signs of movement of the masonry units should be noticed
 The track through the tunnel should be in line and level
 PWI inspects every tunnel once in a year after the monsoon season.
 Points to be noted during maintenance:
 Slopes of portals at the entry and exit should be checked
 Masonry cracking or deterioration
  Any signs of movement of the masonry units should be noticed
 The track through the tunnel should be in line and level
12. What is meant by drainage of tunnels?
 The sources of water for this purpose include ground water and water collected from the washing of
bore holes.
 Water seeping in up through the ground as well as from the washing of bore holes is collected in
sump wells and pumped out.
 If the tunnel is long, a number of sump wells are provided for the collection of water.
13. Calculate the materials required for a length per km of rails, sleepers, spikes, fish bolts and fish plates?
14. What are the stages off construction of a railway track?
The construction of new railway track is studied in three stages:
1. First stage------Earthwork (formation and consolidation)
2. Second stage-------Plate laying (laying of a railway track)
3. Third stage-----Laying of ballast on the track
15. What are the tasks involved in construction of new railway line?
The tasks involved in construction of new railway line are:
 Land acquisition
 Earthwork and bridges
 Construction of station building, staff quarters and other allied facilities including platforms and
sheds.
 Laying of plates including ballasting of track
 Opening of the section to the traffic
16. Define plate-laying? Write the methods of plate laying?
The operation of laying out on the prepared formation of railway and connecting up of the rails and
sleepers is termed as plate-laying. Plate laying operations do not include the placing of the ballast.
Methods of Plate-laying:
 Tram Line Method
 Telescopic Method
 American Method
17. Draw a diagram for ‘Formation in Embankment and Cutting’
Refer PPT Refer PPT
18. Write the significance/Advantages of earthwork in Railway construction?
When the formation is to be made on embankment or cutting, various features should be carefully
considered.
1. Width of formation.
2. Slopes of sides
3. Drains
19. Relate the importance of construction and maintenance of tracks?
Answer your own
16 MARKS:

1. Explain the different methods of soil stabilization?

The following are four usual methods of stabilization of track on poor soil:
 Admixtures of different soils
 Sub-drainage
 Blanket
 Cement grouting
 Sand-piling
 Concrete mats or slabs
a.) Admixture of different soils: Constituents are brought from borrow pits and mixed together during the
process of spreading on the top of the bank before compaction. Sandy materials are mixed with clayey
materials to reduce the plasticity of clay and provide internal friction. The best material should be reserved
for filling 75 to 1m of the bank at the top and the practice should be to use sandy and gravelly material just
below the ballast rather than clayey or silty material.
b.) Sub drainage
 Useful for sandy or gravel soils, underlying impermeable ones.
 Trenches are excavated longitudinally beyond the toes of formation
 And also across trenches at intervals of 15 metres and connected to longitudinal trenches.
c.) Blanket:
 A blanket of non-cohesive soil is used.
 It will improve its bearing and drainage properties
d.) Cement grouting:
 To stabilize the weak soils. Also used to strengthen the entire subgrade
 Cement and sand mixed with water to make slurry.
 The ratio of cement to sand may vary from 1:1 to 1:12 and even more.
 There are two types of grouting one is Pneumatic injection and the other one is Hydraulic injection.
 The injection points are places a 1.5 to 1.8m interval in staggered position at both the ends of the
sleepers.
 Fig: Cement grouting
e.) Sand piling: A series of holes of 30 cm dia are driven with a steel instrument inside and outside of rails
up to a depth of 1.8m to 3m and filled with sharp clean and the track is resurfaced. These holes are driven
vertically into the subgrade by means of augers or similar tools or by driving wooden piles and taking them
out.

Fig: sand piles

f.) Concrete mats: For subgrade improvement, sometimes precast concrete mass or slabs have also been
used between the ballast section and top of the subgrade. This is done for encuring an even distribution of
load from the ballast to the formation or subgrade.
2. Define tunnelling? Explain the different methods of tunnelling?
Refer PPT. Explain the methods in detail.
Definition: A tunnel is an underground passage for transport of passengers, water, sewage, minerals, gas,
etc.
Methods of tunneling:
Tunneling through rock:
 Full face method
 Heading and benching method
 Cantilever car dump method
 Drift system
 Pilot tunnel method
Tunneling through soft ground:
 Fore poling method
 Needle beam method
 Five piece method
 Liner plates method
 Other methods.
Methods of Tunneling through SUB-AQUEOUS STRATA:
 Shield tunneling
 Plenum process or compressed air tunneling
3. Explain in detail about the construction of new railway line?
The construction of new railway track is studied in three stages:
  First stage------Earthwork (formation and consolidation)
 Second stage-------Plate laying (laying of a railway track)
 Third stage-----Laying of ballast on the track
The tasks involved in construction of new railway line are:
 Land acquisition
 Earthwork and bridges
 Construction of station building, staff quarters and other allied facilities including platforms and
sheds.
 Laying of plates including ballasting of track
 Opening of the section to the traffic
LAND ACQUISITION:
 The work should start well in advance so that all legal and financial formalities are completed in time
and the possession of the land is taken for starting construction work.
 Done as per the procedure laid down in the Land acquisition act (section 4-6).
 Land acquisition is done after giving a certain notice and paying the requisite compensation.
 In case of emergency, it is done by special sections 9 and 17 of Land acquisition act.
 The land being acquired should be sufficient for the formation, berm and borrow pits.
 It should also have adequate provision for any future expansion.
EARTHWORK AND FORMATION:
 Based on rail level, the formation may be embankment or cutting
 Embankment is generally preferred because of good drainage
 Height of embankment depends on High Flood Level (HFL) and free board.
 For BG track = 6.10m (single line), 10.82m (double line)
 Earthwork is normally done in 30cm layer for well compaction of soil
 Shrinkage allowance of 5% is made for consolidation of the final cross section ( in case of
mechanical compaction).
 Blanket thickness 30cm is provided on the top of the embankment.
 The economical limit of moving the earth in the longitudinal direction is determined by the
Mass-Haul curve.
 Tenders are separately invited for each zone so that work can progress simultaneously in all the
zones.
PLATE-LAYING:
 The operation of laying out on the prepared formation of railway and connecting up of the rails and
sleepers is termed as plate-laying.
 Plate laying operations do not include the placing of the ballast.
 The point up to which the new track has been laid is known as rail head and the point from where the
laying is commenced is known as the base.
Methods of Plate-laying:
TRAM LINE METHOD: Used in flat countries. Progress of the work per day is 1-61kms. Materials are
collected either by as service road laid parallel to the track is prepared and the materials are transported in
Lorries or bullock-carts to the site of work or a temporary line known as tram line is laid parallel to the track
and the materials are carried in the wagons.
TELESCOPIC METHOD: Widely used in India. In this method, the materials are transported in material
trains to the farthest point of the new track and unloaded. These materials are then carried by the rail-head
and different components of the track assembled here.
Operations in telescopic method:
 Collection and preparation of materials at depot
 Transportation of the materials from the depot to the work site
 Unloading of materials at the worksite and carrying them to the rail head.
 Fixing the rails to the sleepers and joining the two rails with fish plates
 Packing of the track for correct level and alignment
AMERICAN METHOD: In this method, rails and sleepers are assembled at the workshop and then, the
complete sets are moved to the site of work. Suitable cranes also accompany these acts. The following
procedure is adopted:
a.) The complete sets of rails and sleepers along with the cranes come in one train to the rail head.
b.) One set is unloaded and it is linked with the rail head
c.) The train moves ahead by one rail length
d.) The procedure is repeated.
Relaying of track: Changing of rails, sleepers and fittings in continuous lengths is known as relaying of
track and it becomes necessary under the following circumstances. Existing track is to be replaced by
heavier sections due to increased intensity of traffic and higher axle loads. Old but serviceable materials of
mainline or to be used for laying a new branch line and then the mainline are to be provided with the new
track materials.
Methods of relaying a track:
 Relaying of double or multiple track
 Relaying of singe line track
 Standard method of relaying
Relaying of double or multiple track:
 The best method is to divert all the trains from one track to the other track.
 Track can be relayed by dismantling
 For diversion of traffic, two temporary cross overs, between the track to be relayed and the adjoining
track are provided.
Relaying of singe line track: It can be done by several methods such as,
 Diverting the existing track by few centimetres sideways and interlacing the new track with the
existing track.
 First interfacing new sleepers and subsequently renewing the rails.
 Renewing the rails and sleepers as two independent operations i.e. the new rails are first fixed with
old sleeper and then old sleepers are replaced by new ones.
Standard method of relaying:
 The relaying of the track may be divided into three operations:
 Preliminary work
 Actual relaying of the track
 Consolidation of relayed track and removal of released materials.
4. Define track drainage. Explain in details about the types of track drainage.
Track drainage involves the interception and removal of water from, upon or under the track and is
accomplished not only by surface interception and drainage arrangements, but also where necessary by a
sub-surface-drainage system.
Sources of moisture in a railway track:
 Surface water due to rain, dew or snow
 Moisture sucked by capillary action
 Seepage water from adjacent areas
 Hydroscopic water or held-water
 Rain water surface
Surface drainage:
 Surface water due to rain, snow or from adjacent areas should be drained off properly by designing
well-planned and effective surface drains.
 For bank and formation, good quality soil having well graded particles and high internal friction
should be used. The soil should not swell or shrink with variation in moisture content.
 The surface water is first collected in well-designed side drains and cross-drains which is further
disposed off at the nearest stream or natural water course.
 Cross drainage structures like culverts and bridges may be necessary for disposing of the surface
water.
Surface Water due to rain or Snow or Flow from Adjacent areas have to be Disposed of Through
Surface Drainage. Surface Drainage has to be attended to in three locations. Drainage in mid- Section
Between railway Stations
1. Drainage in mid-section (EXPLAIN IN DETAIL REFER PPT)
2. Drainage in Station Yards (EXPLAIN IN DETAIL REFER PPT)
3. Drainage at Station Platforms (EXPLAIN IN DETAIL REFER PPT)
5. Explain the methods of track maintenance.
 Definition
 Objectives
 Advantages
 Types of maintenance
 Necessity
 Methods Conventional methods: (a) Through packing
(b) Systematic overhauling
(c) Picking up slacks
Modern methods:
(a) Mechanized maintenance of track with the help of track machines
(b) Measured shovel packing (MSP)
(c) Directed track maintenance (DTM)
6. How railway stations are classified? Explain each one of them with neat sketch.
Railway station: A railway station or a railroad station and often shortened to just station, is a railway
facility where trains regularly stop to load or unload passengers and/or freight
Purpose of Railway station: Refer PPT
Types of Stations:
 Wayside Stations
 Junction Stations
 Terminal Stations
 Classification of Stations: Stations can be classified on the basis of their operation as,
1. Block stations-Class A, Class B and Class C
2. Non Block Stations-Class D stations or Flag stations
3. Special class stations.
(EXPLAIN EACH ONE OF THEM IN DETAIL)
Railway yard: A yard is defined as a system of tracks laid within definite limits for various purposes such
as receiving sorting and dispatch of vehicles.
Types of yards:
 Passenger yards
 Goods yards
 Marshalling yards
 Locomotive yards
(EXPLAIN EACH ONE OF THEM IN DETAIL)