Abstract
The paper describes equipment which is used to assist in the maintenance of the permanent way and deals particularly with changing methods and the effects of new designs of track components.
Powered plant is employed on all sections of this work on British Railways. In depots and for day-to-day maintenance on the line small machines such as rail saws, nut runners, mechanical hoes, hedge trimmers and welding machines are used.
The cleaning of ballast is done by special machines and pockets of deep clay are removed by excavators. Track is renewed in pre-assembled lengths by purpose-designed track-laying machines, and rails are welded into continuous lengths. The ballast is consolidated and levelled by powered tampers with levelling equipment and track-recording trolleys are used to pin-point any unevenness which would prevent smooth running.
The limitations imposed on plant design are stressed, since equipment must be within the loading gauge—an onerous condition in Britain—and must cause as little interruption as possible to traffic. Consequently plant must travel rapidly and be quickly set up and disengaged. Plant must have a high speed of operation, and also be extremely reliable.
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