EDUSAT LECTURE

Subject :- R.B.T

Topic :- Rail Gauges.Presented by :- Vijay Kumar

Lecturer Civil Engg. Govt. Poly. College Batala. 1

GAUGEGAUGE The clear horizontal

distance between the inner (running) faces of the two rails forming a track is known as Gauge. (see in fig given below)

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Originally, the wheels of the railway vehicles were provided with flanges on outside. So, the distance between the outer faces of rails of an track was considered as gauge. The first track was laid in England with an outside gauge of 1.524m. Later, it was found advantageous to provide flanges on inner side of the wheels for easy turning of trains from one track to another. This change was made without interfering with rails

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and thus the distance between the inner faces of rail of a track was termed as the gauge. This converted the gauge from 1524 mm (5’) to 1435 mm (4’-8½’’) due to reduction of two rail head widths, each 44.45 mm (1¾”). This gauge of 1435 mm has been universally used in Great Britain, France, Germany, U.S.A., Canada and most other countries of Europe and is thus known as the world standard gauge.

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TYPES OF GAUGES PREVALENT IN INDIA

The different gauges prevalent in India are of the following these types :-

1. Broad gauge (1676),

2. Metre gauge (1000),

3. Narrow gauge (762 mm & 610 mm).

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1. Broad Gauge :- When the clear horizontal distance between the inner faces of two parallel rails forming a track is 1676mm the gauge is called Broad Gauge (B.G)

This gauge is also known as standard gauge of India and is the broadest gauge of the world.

The Other countries using the Broad Gauge are Pakistan, Bangladesh, SriLanka, Brazil, Argentine,etc.50% India’s railway tracks have been laid to this gauge.

Suitability :- Broad gauge is suitable under the :- Broad gauge is suitable under the following Conditions :-following Conditions :-(i) When sufficient funds are available for the (i) When sufficient funds are available for the railway project.railway project.(ii) When the prospects of revenue are very (ii) When the prospects of revenue are very bright.bright.This gauge is, therefore, used for tracks in This gauge is, therefore, used for tracks in plain areas which are densely populated i.e. for plain areas which are densely populated i.e. for routes of maximum traffic, intensities and at routes of maximum traffic, intensities and at places which are centers of industry and places which are centers of industry and commerce.commerce.2. Metre Gauge 2. Metre Gauge :- When the clear horizontal :- When the clear horizontal distance between the inner faces of twodistance between the inner faces of two 88

parallel rails forming a track is 1000mm, the parallel rails forming a track is 1000mm, the gauge is known as Metre Gauge (M.G)gauge is known as Metre Gauge (M.G)The other countries using Metre gauge are The other countries using Metre gauge are France, Switzerland, Argentine, etc. 40% of France, Switzerland, Argentine, etc. 40% of India’s railway tracks have been laid to this India’s railway tracks have been laid to this gauge.gauge.Suitability :- Metre Gauge is suitable under the :- Metre Gauge is suitable under the following conditions:-following conditions:-(i) When the funds available for the railway (i) When the funds available for the railway project are inadequate.project are inadequate.(ii) When the prospects of revenue are not very (ii) When the prospects of revenue are not very bright.bright.This gauge is, therefore, used for tracks in This gauge is, therefore, used for tracks in under-developed areas and in interior areasunder-developed areas and in interior areas 99

Where traffic intensity is small and prospects Where traffic intensity is small and prospects for future development are not very bright.for future development are not very bright.3.Narrow Gauge3.Narrow Gauge :-:- When the clear When the clear horizontal distance between the inner faces horizontal distance between the inner faces of two parallel rails forming a track is either of two parallel rails forming a track is either 762mm or 610mm, the gauge is known as 762mm or 610mm, the gauge is known as Narrow gauge (N.G)Narrow gauge (N.G)The other countries using narrow gauge are The other countries using narrow gauge are Britain, South Africa, etc. 10% of India’s Britain, South Africa, etc. 10% of India’s railway tracks have been laid to this gauge.railway tracks have been laid to this gauge.Suitability :- Suitability :- Narrow gauge is suitable under Narrow gauge is suitable under the following conditions :- the following conditions :-

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( i) When the construction of a track ( i) When the construction of a track with wider gauge is prohibited due to with wider gauge is prohibited due to the provision of sharp curves, steep the provision of sharp curves, steep gradients, narrow bridges and tunnels gradients, narrow bridges and tunnels etc.etc.(ii) When the prospects of revenue (ii) When the prospects of revenue are not very bright.are not very bright.This gauge is, therefore, used in hilly This gauge is, therefore, used in hilly and very thinly populated areas. The and very thinly populated areas. The feeder gauge is commonly used for feeder gauge is commonly used for feeding raw materials to big feeding raw materials to big government manufacturing concerns government manufacturing concerns as well as to private factories such as as well as to private factories such as steel plants, oil refineries, sugar steel plants, oil refineries, sugar factories, etc.factories, etc.

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Factors Affecting the Adoption of a Particular Gauge

The following are the factors which affect the adoption of a particular gauge for the track :-

I. Intensity of Population.

II. Intensity of Traffic.

III.Industrial and Commercial development of the Locality.

IV.Prospects of future development of the area.

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V. Funds available for th railway project.VI.Topographical and Geological Features

of the country.

Effects of Breaking the GaugeOne country should have only one gauge

throughout its various parts. But the policy of India and its Topographical, Geological and Financial conditions have led to adopt various gauges in its different parts. The various effects of breaking or change of gauge are discussed below :-

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1.Advantages of Breaking the Gauge :-i). The most effective advantage of breaking

the gauge is to render the railway an economical and profitable concern.

ii). It facilitates the provision of a steeper gradient, sharp curves and narrow tunnels by adopting a less wide gauge in hilly and rocky areas.

2. Disadvantages of Breaking the Gauge :-

i). It causes much inconvenience to the passengers while changing the train at station, with change of gauge.

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ii). It causes delay in movement of people and ii). It causes delay in movement of people and goods.goods.iii). It results in wastage of time.iii). It results in wastage of time.iv). It involves extra labour for unloading and iv). It involves extra labour for unloading and reloading the goods. The goods are also likely to reloading the goods. The goods are also likely to be damaged or dislocated at the junction station, be damaged or dislocated at the junction station, having change of gauge.having change of gauge.v). It requires the provision of extra and costly v). It requires the provision of extra and costly transshipment yards, godowns, sheds, etc. at transshipment yards, godowns, sheds, etc. at every junction station having change of gauge.every junction station having change of gauge.vi). It causes extreme difficulty in quick vi). It causes extreme difficulty in quick movement of military and ammunition during war movement of military and ammunition during war days.days.

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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.

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As per scope of this book, we shall study As per scope of this book, we shall study here only about construction and here only about construction and maintenance of railway tracks and not with maintenance of railway tracks and not with the design of tracks.the design of tracks.

SCOPE OF RAILWAY ENGINEERINGSCOPE OF RAILWAY ENGINEERINGA part from design, construction and A part from design, construction and maintenance of tracks, Railway engineering maintenance of tracks, Railway engineering also includes the study of the following also includes the study of the following important topics :-important topics :-Types of surveys necessary in marking the Types of surveys necessary in marking the

alignment of different railways tracksalignment of different railways tracks1717

Materials required in the construction of railway tracks.Track geometrics.Points and crossings.Railways stations and yards.Signaling and interlocking, etc.

We shall study about the above topics in the subsequent chapters of this book.

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Important Technical Terms

There are many important technical terms concerning to Railways, but a few terms which are of immediate concern are only discussed bellow:-

1 Railway:-A track formed of rails of iron or steel along which trains are driven is known as railway.

In general, the term railway also includes all liens of rails,*sidings or branches,

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worked over for the purpose of or in connection with a railway. As per section 3 of the Indian Railway Act 1890, railway means a railway, or any portion of the public carriage of passengers, animals or goods. General Rule 5(10) in Part III (Red Tariff) defines, railway means a railway, or any portion of the public carriage of passengers, animals or goods and includes all lines of rails, sidings or branches worked over for the purpose of or in connection with railway.

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2. Rolling stock:- The locomotives, passenger coaches and goods wagons which roll or run on railway tracks constitute rolling stock. The different types of rolling stock are illustrated.

3. Locomotive:- The mechanical device which transfers chemical energy of fuel into mechanical energy in the form of motion is called locomotive. The fuel used in the locomotives may be in the form of water and coal, diesel or electricity. 21

4. Wagons :- The goods compartments are called wagons. This term applies only to good stock.

5. Coaches or vehicles :- The passengercompartments are called coaches or vehicles. This term applies only to coaching stock.

6. Coaching stock :- All types of vehicles that run in passenger trains are called coaching stock.

7. Goods stock :- Wagons used for movement of goods, heavy and bulky commodities are called goods stock. 22

Rolling Stock

LocomotivesCoaching

StockGoods Stock

CoveredWagons

Open TopStock

High wallWagons

SmallWagons

Without wallWagons

Others

PassengerVans Coaches

Vans

Mail Vans

Luggage Vans

Parcel Vans

Brake Vans

Others

SteamLocomotives

DieselLocomotives

ElectricLocomotives

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↑↑TYPES OF ROLLING STOCK↑↑

NECESSITY OF RAILWAYS Railways are significant and potential

means of transporting men and material over large distance in a country. This system of conveyance helps in manufacturing goods by transporting raw materials from far off places to the factories and also in transporting the finished products to the marketing centers. The introduction of Railways has converted

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barren lands into green fields and well barren lands into green fields and well developed towns and cities. Railways have developed towns and cities. Railways have also helped in developing cultural and social also helped in developing cultural and social ties among the people by transporting them ties among the people by transporting them from one corner to the other corner of the from one corner to the other corner of the country. Thus, we see that progress made by country. Thus, we see that progress made by any country and well being of a nation depends any country and well being of a nation depends much on Railways.much on Railways.

The necessity or utility of Railways can be The necessity or utility of Railways can be well realized from the following purpose and well realized from the following purpose and advantages of Railways :-advantages of Railways :-I. Railways provide convenient and safe I. Railways provide convenient and safe means of transporting people and goods means of transporting people and goods over large distance in a country.over large distance in a country. 2525

II. Railways help in uniting the people of different religious, customs and traditions living in different parts of a country and thus strengthen national unity.

III. Railways help in developing cultural and social ties among the people living in different parts of a country.

IV. Railways act as a special boon to pilgrims and travelers who wish to visit far places of their interest with safety, comfort and economy in time and money. 26

V.V. Railway facility cheap and convenient Railway facility cheap and convenient communication of bulks of letters, parcels communication of bulks of letters, parcels and heavy goods like raw materials, coal, and heavy goods like raw materials, coal, ores, etc. from mines and manufacturing ores, etc. from mines and manufacturing concerns within a country.concerns within a country.

VI.VI. Railways help in growth of trade and Railways help in growth of trade and industrial development in a country.industrial development in a country.

VII.VII. The value of land increases due to The value of land increases due to industrial development because of industrial development because of Railways, which ultimately results into Railways, which ultimately results into the increase of national wealth.the increase of national wealth.

VIII.VIII.Railways help in providing efficient Railways help in providing efficient distribution of natural resources anddistribution of natural resources and 2727

agricultural products all over the agricultural products all over the country.country.

IX.IX. Railways help in price Railways help in price stabilization of commodities due stabilization of commodities due to mobility of products in all parts to mobility of products in all parts of a country.of a country.

X.X. Railways help in removing Railways help in removing distress of people in famine distress of people in famine affected areas by transporting affected areas by transporting food and clothing on a large food and clothing on a large scale.scale.

XI.XI. Railways provide employment Railways provide employment opportunities to people on a large opportunities to people on a large scale and thus help in reducing scale and thus help in reducing unemployment problem of theunemployment problem of the 28

country. Railways help in maintaining better

law and order in a country. Railways play its vital role in

national defense of a country by transporting army and ammunition quickly on a country by transporting army and ammunition quickly on a large scale during war days.

Railways form a main source of revenue to a country without any taxation.

Thus, it can be said that Railways act as a symbol of country ‘s progress.

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The The development, civilizationdevelopment, civilization and and efficiency efficiency of a nation can be easily of a nation can be easily

judged by the extent of its Railways.judged by the extent of its Railways.

MARITS OF RAILWAYS WITH MARITS OF RAILWAYS WITH RESPECT TO ROADWAYS, RESPECT TO ROADWAYS,

WATERWAYS AND AIRWAYSWATERWAYS AND AIRWAYSEvery mode of transportation has got its Every mode of transportation has got its advantages. Whatever may be the advantages. Whatever may be the advantages of other modes of advantages of other modes of transportation. Railways have got the transportation. Railways have got the following peculiar merits which are following peculiar merits which are responsible for its importance over other responsible for its importance over other modes of transportation :-modes of transportation :-

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(i) Railways provide a comfortable and safe means of communication within the reach of a common man.(ii) Transport of bulk of letters, parcels and heavy goods like raw materials, coal, ores, etc. from the mines and manufacturing concerns for long distance is cheap and convenient only by Railways.(iii) Railways transport requires the least amount of power as compared to its weight.(iv) In case of Railways, only the direction of movement of trains is controlled and practically

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no steering is required for diverting the trains from one track to an other track.(v) Railways act as the biggest undertaking in the world and thus provide employment opportunities on large scale.(vi) Railways from the chief sources of revenue to a country without any taxation.

Modern methods such as modernization of traction (gradually switching over to diesel and electric traction), speedy, trains, automation in operation, high powered locomotives, etc.

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SYSTEMS OF RAILWAYSThe Railways can be provided on, above the below the ground surface, suiting to the area. Further, the Railways below the ground surface can be constructed just below the ground surface can be constructed just below the ground level or at greater depths. 33

There are, therefore, the following four There are, therefore, the following four systems of Railways :-systems of Railways :-

1.1. Surface railways;Surface railways;2.2. Elevated railways;Elevated railways;3.3. Under ground railways;Under ground railways;4.4. Tube railways.Tube railways.

1)1) Surface railwaysSurface railways :-The railways :-The railways provided over the ground surface are provided over the ground surface are known as surface railways.known as surface railways.

Suitability :-This system is Suitability :-This system is Railways is most extensively used Railways is most extensively used throughout the worldthroughout the world

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because this is the best system for transporting people and goods. In surface railways, the various means like*level crossings,**over-bridge or***under-bridge are to be provided for crossing of the railway and road traffic safely and efficiently.2) Elevated railways :-The railways provided at higher or elevated portion, above the ground surface are called “high level” or “elevated railways”.

In this system of Railways, a 35

continuous viaduct supported on piers, continuous viaduct supported on piers, columns, etc. is constructed and the columns, etc. is constructed and the track is carried on its steel deck. This track is carried on its steel deck. This system is very costly because buildings system is very costly because buildings like like stations, waiting halls, officesstations, waiting halls, offices are are to be constructed at high levels to be constructed at high levels requiring requiring stair cases, escalators,stair cases, escalators, etc. etc. but elevated railways cause little but elevated railways cause little obstruction due to obstruction due to piers, columnspiers, columns supporting the track.supporting the track. SuitabilitySuitability :- Elevated railways are :- Elevated railways are suitable in the heavily congested suitable in the heavily congested urban areas where the under ground urban areas where the under ground railways cannot berailways cannot be

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constructedconstructed..

3)3) Under ground railways :- Under ground railways :- The railways The railways provided just below ground level are called provided just below ground level are called “low level or underground railways”.“low level or underground railways”.

In this system of Railways, In this system of Railways, tunnelstunnels are constructed for carrying tracks are constructed for carrying tracks through them and a over - bridge is necessary through them and a over - bridge is necessary at every road crossing to carry the road at every road crossing to carry the road traffic over the railway traffic. Due to traffic over the railway traffic. Due to ventilation problems in tunnels, ventilation problems in tunnels, electricity electricity is is the only source of power for traction in the only source of power for traction in under ground railways.under ground railways.

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Advantages :-Advantages :-

i.i. This system provides rapid and This system provides rapid and unobstructed transportation.unobstructed transportation.

ii.ii. This system helps in reducing traffic This system helps in reducing traffic congestion problems.congestion problems.

iii.iii. This system provides safety during This system provides safety during aerial attack in war.aerial attack in war.

Suitability :- Under ground railways Suitability :- Under ground railways are suitable in the heavily congested are suitable in the heavily congested urban areas where the traffic urban areas where the traffic intensity on roads is heavy.intensity on roads is heavy.

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Tube railways :- The railway provided underground at a greater depth of about 18 m or more (up to 52 m) are called tube railways.

This system of railways is so called as the section of the underground tunnels, carrying the track, is to avoid the interference of the tracks with water and gas pipes, sewerage systems and oil or drainage pipes, etc

Some important features of the tube railways are given below :- 39

i.i. The railways stations have to be of The railways stations have to be of cylindrical form.cylindrical form.

ii.ii. Escalators or moving stair cases are Escalators or moving stair cases are to be constructed to reach the tube to be constructed to reach the tube railways.railways.

iii.iii. Only electric traction to be used to Only electric traction to be used to avoid the smoke and ventilation avoid the smoke and ventilation problems.problems.

iv.iv. Automatic signaling system is to be Automatic signaling system is to be used.used. 4040

V. Such a mechanism of the train is to be used that it cannot start until all the doors are closed, and it automatically stops, if the signal is at ‘STOP’ position.

This system of railways is used by the London Post Office in transporting mails through a small diameter tunnel with automatic control without any driver.

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COMPONENT PARTS OF A COMPONENT PARTS OF A PERMANENT WAY :-PERMANENT WAY :-

The following are the component parts of a The following are the component parts of a permanent way or a railway track :-permanent way or a railway track :-

Formation or sub grade ;Formation or sub grade ; Ballast ;Ballast ; Sleepers ;Sleepers ; Rails ;Rails ; Fixtures and fastenings.Fixtures and fastenings.All these component parts of a permanent All these component parts of a permanent

way are illustrated in way are illustrated in Fig given belowFig given below :- :-

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REQUIREMENTS OF AN IDEAL PERMANENT WAY

The following are the principal requirements of an ideal permanent way or of a good railway track :-

i. The gauge of the permanent way should be uniform, correct and it should not get altered.

ii. Both the rails should be at the same level on tangent (straight) portion of the track.

iii. Proper amount of *superelevation should

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be provided to the outer rail above the inner rail on curved portion of the track.

iv. The permanent way should be sufficiently strong against lateral forces.

v. The curves, provided in the track, should be properly designed.

vi. An even and uniform gradient should be provided through out the length of the track.

vii. The **tractive resistance of the track should be minimum.

viii.The design of the permanent way should be such that the load of the train is

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uniformly distributed on both the rails so as uniformly distributed on both the rails so as to prevent unequal settlement of the to prevent unequal settlement of the track.track.

ix.ix. It Should provide adequate elasticity in It Should provide adequate elasticity in order to prevent the harshness of order to prevent the harshness of impacts between the rails and the impacts between the rails and the moving wheel loads of a train.moving wheel loads of a train.

x.x. It should be free from excessive rail It should be free from excessive rail joints and all the joining should be joints and all the joining should be properly designed and constructed.properly designed and constructed.

xi.xi. All the components parts such as All the components parts such as rails, rails, sleepers, ballast, fixtures sleepers, ballast, fixtures and and

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fastenings, etc. should satisfy the design requirements.

xii.All the fixtures and fastenings such as chairs, bearing plates, fish plates, fish bolts, spikes etc. should be strong enough to withstand the stresses occurring in the track.

xiii.All the *points and crossings, laid in the permanent way, should be properly designed and carefully constructed.

xiv.It should be provided with fence near

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level crossings level crossings and also in urban areas.and also in urban areas.

xv.xv. It should be provided with proper It should be provided with proper drainage facilities so as to drain off the drainage facilities so as to drain off the rain water quickly away from the track.rain water quickly away from the track.

xvi.xvi.It should be provided with safe and It should be provided with safe and strong bridges coming in the alignment strong bridges coming in the alignment of the track.of the track.

xvii.xvii.It should be provided with safe and It should be provided with safe and strong bridges coming in the alignment strong bridges coming in the alignment of the track.of the track.

xviii.xviii.It should be so constructed that It should be so constructed that

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repairs and renewals of any of its portion repairs and renewals of any of its portion can be carried out without any difficulty.can be carried out without any difficulty.

Thanks.Thanks.

Other Example Picture's are given below :-Other Example Picture's are given below :-

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Thank You.

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