Permanent Way

Permanent Way It is the railroad on which train runs Consists of two parallel rails fastened to sleepers with a specified distance.

Typical PW

Permanent Way The sleepers are embedded in a layer of ballast of specified thickness spread over level ground known as formation. The ballast provides a uniform level surface and drainage, and transfer the load to a large area of formation.

Cross-section of BG Track 6.100 m 3.350 m 2.740 m 1.676 m Gauge Sleeper Ballast 1 in 40 1 in 40 Soil Formation bed CE2303 Railway Engineering

Permanent Way The rails are joined in series by fish plates and bolts and these are fastened to the sleepers with various types of fittings.

Permanent Way The sleepers are spaced at a specified distance and are held in position by the ballast.

Functions The rails act as girders to transmit the wheel load of trains to the sleepers. The sleepers hold the rails in their proper positions, provide a correct gauge with the help of fittings and fastenings and transfer the load to the ballast.

Functions The formation takes the total load of the track as well of the train moving on it.

Wheel Load Distribution Rail Sleeper Ballast Formation