Module J Track Inspection Maintenance & Renewals work Placement

September 2003 Presentation by Andy Hailu.

Placement Template & Locations

Inspection Maintenance Renewal Methodology & Proposals West Horndon depot covering North London & LTS routes (London, Tilbury & Southend) with Network Rail, Amec & Grant Rail.

Objectives
Consolidate the learnings of all previous modules Familiarise with work location Supplement the experience of previous two placements.

Work location & Routes

Location West Horndon East Anglia Network Rail and Amec office. Routes North London line North Woolwich to Richmond London Tilbury & Southend line via Tilbury and Basildon

Inspection
North Woolwich to Stratford on the North London Line. Specific findings- crack on bridge - safe walking routes covered with vegetation West Horndon to Shoeburyness on the LTS line. Findings poor condition level crossings

Specific Issues
Lack of coordination between departments
Lack of action even after reporting of defects

Shortage of skilled man power

Maintenance
Precautions & actions taken during hot weather Track buckles on NLL line Closed joints on NLL line S&C tamping

Precautions & actions taken during hot weather

CRT (W)- watchman placed to monitor the track concerned CRT (30/60)- 30/60 mph speed restriction CRT (20)- 20 mph speed restrcition Record of stressing If record not available SFT to be decided according to Appendix F RT/CE/S/011

Summer weather preparedness plan

IFC receive weather forecast IFC group page weather forecast Heat stage decision made by PWSM,PWE or Network Rail New heat stage Current heat stage to be implemented to be continued until further notice All heat stages cancelled Heat stage raised or lowered

Summer weather preparedness plan

Inform IFC of decision IFC to infrom all relevant persons of decision

IFC to inform all relevant persons of any new information IFC to log and file all actions/amendements

Defects due to hot weather

Track buckle on the North London line at 0m69ch near Gospel Oak station Cause- weak embankment and reduced lateral resistance Track slewed back and MSP carried out tamping suspended due to high rail temperature (32 C max.)

Defects due to hot weather

Closed joint near Caledonian station platform Cause- defective breather not allowing the track to expand and weak lateral resistance Joint replaced under T2 and line was due for renewal in the weekend, breather replaced as part of renewal

Specific Issues
There were no stressing records and no recorded history of weak embankment therefore maintenance was difficult. Tamping cancelled due to high temperature Tamping machines broke down twice There was work overlap on the same possession limits Due to the above conditions speed limit had to be maintained for more than a week

S&C Tamping
Points 3111 & 3112 done at Willesden high level junction. 08 4 x 4 / 4S RT single header tamping machine used. Adjustable tools capable of tamping most part of the S&C and synchronous lifting avoiding strain on the track components.

S&C Tamping
The lifting trolley changes from roller lifting to hook to avoid damage to the fastenings on the crossing This was quite poor track condition It needs careful operation to avoid damage to sleepers and cables.

Specific Issues
Lifting trolley wheel not riding properly on the rail due to significant side wear pt3111 Planned Possession time was 9hrs for 4hrs tamping On pt 3112 due to narrow gauge the trolley could not lift the track, only squeezing of the ballast done which has no effect on the track geometry

Visit to Corus Cogifer S&C manufacturers

RT60 switch & crossing on concrete bearers CEN60E1A1 rail sections and HPSS and HW2000 drives successfully tested on RT60 HPSS has some problems Inclined base plates Tapered pad systems Weldable cast manganese steel crossings

Track Renewals
Caledonian Road (NLL) plain line renewal CWR, concrete sleepers. Removing existing bull head jointed track and loading them on Salmons using RRVs. Excavating formation and laser dosing to design level using PC130s and Laser dozer Unloading ballast using PC130s Compacting ballast using triple wackers

Track Renewals
PC130 loaded onto Fastrolls on the other end of the site after completing unloading ballast Sleepers positioned on ballast Spacer used to maintain standard gap between sleepers Rail on parallel track used as reference for alignment Rail thimled on ballast housing & conductor rail installed- Third rail track

Track Renewal
Conductor rails are installed on ceramic insulator pots Ballast unloaded from seacows Ballast profiled by regulator to make sleepers visible and adequate shoulder created Ballast tamped Technical officer to check vertical and horizontal alignment to ensure correct design

Specific Issues
Possession taking delayed due to manpower shortage to set up the blockade Similarly isolation took longer time due to lack of experienced manpower PICOP not familiar with the area Position of train carrying concrete sleepers and planning caused delays

Specific Issues
Concrete sleepers on the ground needed repositioning to suite the conductor rail fitting, time and manpower wasted, the sleepers could have been loaded in the right sequence. There was no reference to the use of concrete sleepers on the bridge in the method statement.

Renewal Proposals
Dudding Hill to Acton Wells plain line renewal due to wet beds, decayed sleepers and poor track formation.(NLL line) Longitudinal timbers renewal on bridge nos. 35, 380, 387 & Fenchurch street due to poor conditions of waybeams.(NLL & TLS lines) Proposals forwarded after inspection and reference to annual inspection reports.

Areas for Improvement

Possession management. Recruitment & training of manpower. Reliability of mechanised maintenance machineries Logistics processes and coordination.

Positive Observation
Passion and commitment of the work force. Good safety standard and environment protection. The move towards in house maintenance under NMP to remove fragmentation in the network.

The Way Forward

Improve planning and learn from operational errors. Apply NMP into other areas. Make optimum utilization of possessions. Train and recruit more human resources. Improve coordination among departments. Input towards standardisation of components & procedures.