Rail Construction 0714
Rail Construction 0714
Rail Construction 0714
MAST
RAIL
BALLAST SLEEPER
BALLAST
TRACK FOUNDATION
NATURAL GROUND
Stage two - Laying concrete sleepers – concrete rail sleepers are placed along
the rail alignment as a base support for the rail. Sleepers are positioned by a
front end loader with a sleeper ‘grab’ attachment which picks up a set of sleepers
and lays them in the configuration for the rail tracks to then be attached.
Stage three - Laying the rail tracks – the steel rail is placed on top of the concrete
sleepers and clipped into place by either a track mountable machine or by hand.
The rail is then welded together using ‘flash butt-welding’ which melts two rail
pieces together forming a seamless rail track.
Stage four - Ballast – ballast is a specific type of rock used for supporting the
sleepers and rail track, keeping them in place while trains run. A ballast machine
rides the new tracks and places the ballast over the sleepers and between the
tracks.
Stage five - Settling the rail – a track mountable machine called a tamping
machine rides along the new track, lifting the tracks, to then vibrate the ballast
into place. It then sets the track into its final position. This method is repeated
numerous times to ensure the rail line settles and is ready for operation.
Stage six - Installing over-head equipment – masts are installed along the rail
alignment to support the equipment which provides electricity to operate trains.
Signalling structures are also installed along the rail route.