PROBLEMS OF TRACK MAINTENANCE FOR HIGH SPEED

The replacement of steam by diesel and electric traction, high speeds, axles carrying a weight of 25 t on rail and very heavy merry-go-round trains, place more severe strain on the permanent way. This position is made manifest, inter alia, by the duplication of rail cracks and ruptures since 1960, and necessitates the revision of the track building and maintenance standards. The author reviews the research and activities carried out, with this object, through modification of the track and vehicles. The article contains a review of a number of special problems--pollution of the ballast by mud seeping through, the frittering away of the ballast, the poor holding qualities of the rail fastenings, joints, and the organization of the maintenance sites.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • See also "Forward Thoughts on Permanent Way" by A.W. McMurdo in the same issue.
• Corporate Authors:

  Derry and Sons, Limited

  Canal Street
  Nottingham,   England 
• Authors:
  • Rees, P
• Publication Date: 1972

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 15 p.
• Serial:
  • Permanent Way Institution, Journal & Rpt of Proc
  • Volume: 90
  • Publisher: Permanent Way Institution

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axle load force; Ballast (Railroads); Fatigue (Mechanics); High speed rail; Mud pumps; Rail (Railroads); Stresses; Train track dynamics
• Uncontrolled Terms: Ballast
• Old TRIS Terms: Axle loadings; Mud pumping; Rail stress
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00050478
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: International Union of Railways
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 24 1976 12:00AM