Permanent Way | component Parts | Requirement of Ideal Permanent Way

Permanent way

The combination of rail, fitted on sleepers and resting on ballast and subgrades is called as rail track or permanent way

Component parts of permanent way

1. Formation or subgrade

2. Ballast

3. Sleeper

4. Rail

5. Fixtures & fastings

Diagram

Requirement of ideal permanent way

1. The gauge should be correct and uniform.

2. The track should be resilient & elastic in order to absorb the shocks and vibrations of running trains.

3. There should be adequate provision for easy renewal and replacement.

4. Drainage system should be preferred.

5. The radic and super-elevation on curves should be properly designed and maintained.

6. The alignment should be correct i.e. it should be free from kinks or irregularities.

7. The gradients should be uniform and any change of gradient should be followed by a smooth curve.

8. The gauge should be proper level. In a straight track, two rails must be at same level.

9. The track should have enough lateral strength so that the alignment is maintained.