KEEPING ONSITE RAILROAD TRACKS IN GOOD SHAPE

Although the information presented here cannot make plant engineering personnel into experts on railroad construction, it should serve as a guide to basic inspection and maintenance procedures for tracks on plant property. Tracks should be inspected regularly so that damage can be noted after it occurs, allowing small problems to be caught before they become major repair items. Annual inspection on a sunny spring day when it is easy to find volunteers will not suffice because ice formation on switches and poor drainage will never be spotted on these days. A monthly tour of the tracks makes a more realistic schedule. All debris should be removed from the track area and from around switches and lights to make tracks safer and to aid in preventing derails. The inspector should note low elevations along the tracks so they can be checked after a significant rainfall to see if drainage is adequate. Another reason for good drainage that is often forgotten in the warmer months is the prevention of winter icing which can shift tracks and prevent operation of switches.

• Corporate Authors:

  Technical Publishing Corporation

  1301 South Grove Avenue
  Barrington, IL  United States  60010
• Authors:
  • Glass, J V
• Publication Date: 1977-7

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 135-137
• Serial:
  • Plant Engineering
  • Volume: 31
  • Issue Number: 15
  • Publisher: Technical Publishing Company

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Drainage; Industrial plants; Industrial railroads; Inspection; Maintenance; Maintenance management; Maintenance of way; Maintenance practices; Planning; Railroad facilities; Railroad tracks; Siding; Sidings (Railroads)
• Uncontrolled Terms: Switches
• Old TRIS Terms: Track inspection
• Subject Areas: Hydraulics and Hydrology; Maintenance and Preservation; Planning and Forecasting; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00170465
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Engineering Index
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 16 1978 12:00AM