Introductory Handbook On Track Machines For S&T Staff
Introductory Handbook On Track Machines For S&T Staff
CAMTECH/S&T/2023-24/TM
November-2023
FOREWORD
Mechanized track laying and maintenance has been introduced in a big way on
Indian Railways to meet the challenges of growing traffic and changed socio-
economic conditions. Safe and comfortable travel in a train is only possible on
tracks lying in the correct geometrical position. In order to maintain these
tracks, railway track maintenance machines play a very significant role. The
track machines help in making the difficult task of track maintenance easier and
complete the work in a better and efficient manner. In Indian Railways Tamping
machines ( Unomatic / Duomatic ), UNIMAT (Points and Crossing Tamper),
DTS ( Dynamic Track stabiliser ), Ballast Cleaning machine (BCM), SBCM
(Shoulder Ballast Cleaning Machine), Ballast Regulating machines (BRM), etc.
are such Track Machine used for Packing / Cleaning of entire ballast bed
without dismantling the track.
Engineering staff ( SSE/JE/P.Way & SSE/JE/TM) is primarily associated with
working of Track machine, however other departments like S&T & Electrical
should also have basic knowledge of Track machines in order to protect their
assets installed on Railway track from possible damage by track machine
working.
This handbook has been prepared to provide basic information about various
track machines used in Indian Railway to S&T Staff and safety precautions to
be taken while working of track machines.
I hope that the information given in this handbook will be quite helpful to the
S&T personnel associated with maintenance of track in Indian Railways and
taking preventive measures to avoid safety hazards.
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PREFACE
Maintaining the railway tracks is very crucial as there are many trains carrying people
and an abundance of goods that pass by these tracks. Any one act of negligence can
result in disaster. Also, the tracks are exposed to various climatic conditions that cause
the tracks to get damaged easily, therefore, it is important that the railway tracks are
maintained periodically and repaired as and when required. For speedy and efficient
maintenance of tracks, track machines like Tamping machines (Unomatic /
Duomatic ),UNIMAT (Points and Crossing Tamper), DTS, BCM, SBCM & BRM
are deployed in Indian Railways. Apart from Track Machine and P.Way staff, S&T
staff should also have basic knowledge of working of these machines, so that they can
prevent possible damage to signalling assets during maintenance of Railway tracks by
these track machines.
In view of the above, CAMTECH has prepared Introductory Hand book on Track
Machine which covers overview of different type of Track machines used in Indian
Railways and Guidelines / Safety precautions to be followed while working with
Track Machines for S&T Staff.
Since technological up-gradation and learning is a continuous process, you may feel
the need for some addition/modification in this handbook. If so, please give your
comments on email address [email protected] or write to us at Indian
Railways Centre for Advanced Maintenance Technology, Maharajpur, Gwalior (M.P.)
474005.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
DISCLAIMER
It is clarified that the information given in this Handbook does not supersede
any existing provisions laid down in the Indian Railways Track Machine
Manual (IRTMM), Indian Railways P. Way Manual (IRPWM), Signal
Engineering Manual, Railway Board and RDSO publications. This document is
not statuary and instructions given are for the purpose of guidance only. If at
any point contradiction is observed, then IRTMM, IRPWM, IRSEM, & Railway
Board/RDSO guidelines may be referred or prevalent Zonal Railways
instructions may be followed.
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Introductory Hand book on Track Machine for S&T Staff
The correction slips to be issued in future for this report will be numbered as follows:
Where “XX” is the serial number of the concerned correction slip (starting from 01
onwards).
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Introductory Hand book on Track Machine for S&T Staff
OUR OBJECTIVE
If you have any suggestions & any specific comments, please write to us:
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Introductory Hand book on Track Machine for S&T Staff
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Introductory Hand book on Track Machine for S&T Staff
Section 1
GENERAL
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1. Introduction :
Track machines are used for mechanized Track Laying & maintenance of Railway Track. For
the purpose of movement and working, Track machines are classified in following two
categories:
TLE (Track Laying Equipment), TRT (Track Relaying Train), PCCM (Point & Crossing
Changing/Laying machine), MDU (Muck Disposal unit) are the machines generally falling in
this category. Rules for movement for material trains will apply to these categories of
machines. Other track machines when attached with the train/locomotive will also fall in the
same category.
For movement, these shall be worked as a train but will not need a guard or a brake van. One
camping coach or one BRN wagon or another self-propelled track machine, which may be
un-braked, shall permit to be hauled by the self-propelled track machine. SSE/JE/TM
operating the machine shall ensure safe running. This category of track machines may also
work with the non-self-propelled track machine as in (i) above for effective block utilization,
in the same block section.
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Introductory Hand book on Track Machine for S&T Staff
i. DTS by Plasser.
ii. DTS by BHEL.
iii. DTS by Metex.
i. Without Hopper
• BRM Model 66-2/56-3 and (Kershaw).
• PBR 400R (Plasser India).
• BRM Model SPZ-210 K (Gemac Engg).
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For the purpose of operation, each machine shall be under the direct charge of SSE/JE/TM.
He shall be in-charge of the track machine and shall be responsible for safe movement and
working of track machine.
The track machine(s) shall work under the direct supervision of an engineering official, not
below the rank of SSE/JE/P.Way. SSE/JE/P.Way shall also associate himself and co-ordinate
with station master for shunting of the track machine(s).
He shall be the in-charge of the supervision of the work of track machine. He shall perform
following essential duties:
1) He shall be responsible for pre-block operations, block operations (other than machine
Operation) and post block operations as detailed for various machines.
2) He is responsible for protection of the site of work and adjoining track wherever
necessary. He will be responsible for arranging adequate precautionary measures for
the safety of staff working with machine in the block section against danger of trains
on the adjoining line(s). He shall arrange for track protection and provide look out
men for safety at site.
3) He shall co-ordinate with other departments like Traffic, OHE and S&T in the field to
facilitate smooth working.
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Introductory Hand book on Track Machine for S&T Staff
Section 2
TAMPING MACHINES
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Introductory Hand book on Track Machine for S&T Staff
2. Tamping machines:
A Tamping machine or ballast tamper is a machine used to pack (or tamp) the track ballast
under railway tracks to make the tracks more durable The tamper lifts each sleeper and the
rails up, and packs ballast underneath to achieve target or pre-determined parameter values,
with an aim to improve the track geometry.
Figure-1 : Figure-2
08-16 SH Unomatic (Plain Track Tamping Machine)
2.2.1.2 08-32 Duomatic:
It is a Plain track tamper and with 32 tamping tools to pack two sleepers at a time. The names
of the models of Duomatic tamping machines presently in use on Indian Railways; and the
name of manufacturer, are given below: -
• 08-32 Duomatic (Plasser India)
• 08-32C Duomatic (Plasser & Theurer)
• 08-32 WST with flat car (Metex – JSC Moscow, Russia)
• VPR -02M without flat car (Kalugaputmash, Russia)
Figure-3 : Figure-4
08-32C Duomatic (Plain Track Tamping Machine)
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Figure-5 : Figure-6
UNIMAT (Points and Crossing Tamping machine)
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Section 3
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There are three make of DTS machines in use over Indian Railways:
This machine is used for plain track and turnouts with two stabilizing units with a vertical
load of max. 356 kN
This machine is the four-axle double bogie special track vehicle with its own drive of two
axles (nose hung traction motors) in one bogie. The Power transmission of machine is electric
AC / DC.
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Introductory Hand book on Track Machine for S&T Staff
This machine (DSP-C8T) is Supplied by M/s Metex, JSC, Moscow (Russia). This machine is
of two bogies having wheel diameter of 860mm and maximum Axle Load 15.0 t. The design
Speed of machine is 75 Kmph when running on its own power and 80 Kmph when running in
train formation as a dead vehicle.
***
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Introductory Hand book on Track Machine for S&T Staff
Section 4
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Introductory Hand book on Track Machine for S&T Staff
Fouling occurs under normal operational loads. This causes the edges of the ballast stones to
break off, settlement of the stones and friction processes. Overall, this causes an increase in
the proportion of fines which reduces the elasticity of the track, the water permeability and
the durability of the track geometry. As a consequence, there will be irregular settlement of
the track which tamping can compensate only for short periods. From a certain point in time
it will be more economical to clean the entire ballast bed. This work can be performed highly
efficiently using ballast bed cleaning machines
Using ballast bed cleaning machines, the ballast can be cleaned without dismantling the track.
BCM loosens and excavates full section of fouled track ballast from crib, below sleepers and
shoulders, collects it by continuous movement of endless cutter chain with fingers, depositing
it to a set of vibrating screens, where muck is separated and thrown out by a waste conveyor
and the screened/clean ballast is transferred back to the track through chute.
(1) Screening of fouled ballast and disposal of muck away from track.
(2) Restore clean ballast cushion, thereby improving the elasticity (resilience) of ballast
bed.
(3) Provide cross slope of formation.
(4) Improve drainage of track.
Ballast cleaning and handling machines are used for handling of ballast during various
maintenance and renewal operations. These machines are broadly categorized as: -
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Introductory Hand book on Track Machine for S&T Staff
This machine is capable of deep screening of plain track only and is not capable of working
on turnouts.
4.2.2 Points and Crossing Ballast Cleaning Machine (RM76) (Plasser India)
This is capable of deep screening of plain track as well as points and crossings without
dismantling any component of points and crossings.
4.2.3 Plain Track and Points & Crossings BCM (RM80 92U) (Plasser India)
This machine is similar to RM76 model except that it can handle heavier track structure with
ease.
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Figure-12 : Plain Track and Points & Crossings Ballast Cleaning Machine (RM80 92U)
(Ref.: N.Rly , New Delhi JPO No. 219-W/61/TMC/P&C/JPO dated 05.05.2022 for Deep
Screening of Point & Crossing by BCM )
It is very vital that some sleepers at special locations cannot be deep screened by BCM. For
homogeneous ballast bed and uniform running, such sleepers should not be left without deep
screening. Such sleepers are to be invariably deep screened by special means as under:-
(a) Sleeper nos. 3 & 4 for 1 in 8.5 & 1 in 12 T/Os and sleeper nos. 2 & 3 for 1 in16 T/O are
of longer length for fixing S&T motor. Extra length of these sleepers is extended on LH or
RH side of turnout and may/may not be laid in favorable direction. If extension of point
motor sleepers are on RH side w.r.t. to working direction of BCM, then these sleepers are in
favorable direction and it is possible to deep screen them by BCM without any need of
removing the point motor sleepers (however, point motor disconnection will be required).
(b) If extension of point motor sleepers are on Left Hand side of working direction of BCM,
then these sleepers are in unfavorable direction and it is not possible to deep screen them by
BCM. In such case, if feasible, direction is to be corrected in a prior advance joint block with
S&T, so that for future deep screening such problem do not arise. If correction of direction is
not feasible due to site/space constraint, these sleepers are to be removed during same traffic
block of BCM and reinserted after BCM working. If done in same block, it will require
additional time. Typical situations are explained in Annexure-B as follows:
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The machine is used for cleaning of shoulder ballast to improve the drainage of track.
Both the machines are similar except that the muck in FRM 80 is thrown on the backside
while that in FRM 85F is thrown in the front.
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Introductory Hand book on Track Machine for S&T Staff
Ballast Regulating Machines working on Indian Railways are classified into two categories as
below:
These machines are provided with shoulder plough, front/center plough, brooms, and
conveyor belts. These are four-wheeler vehicles. Different models of BRM’s working on
Indian Railways are:
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Introductory Hand book on Track Machine for S&T Staff
BRM Model SPZ-210 K (GEMAC ENGG) has centre plough while other two models have
front plough.
These machines have a system of collecting excess ballast from over sleeper to the hopper via
broom and conveyor belt arrangement. The collected ballast is unloaded at the shoulder
wherever required through a chute opening.
(a) USP 2000 SWS (Plasser India).
(b) RPB-01(Metex, Russia).
These are bogie type 8-wheeler vehicles. They are provided with center plough along with
brooms provided in the middle i.e. between bogies.
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Section 5
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
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5. Safety Precautions for S&T staff associated with Track Machine Working :
( Ref.: N.Rly , New Delhi JPO No. 219-W/61/TMC/P&C/JPO dated 05.05.2022 for Deep Screening of Point &
Crossing by BCM )
❖ Detailed Joint survey of all the points and crossings of the station/yard and preparation
of joint assessment report should be done at least 7 days in advance by the inspectors
in-charge of Engineering (P.Way), S&T, TRD, Electric(G) & TI/ASM/SS.
❖ Arrange to issue proper disconnection notice where any work on Electric Point
Machine or Electrical Detector involves disconnection or S&T connections like lock
rod, Stretcher bar need to be removed during the working of track machine.
❖ Identify the locations of buried cable coils likely to be damaged during working of
track machine.
❖ It may be noted that lifting of rod operated point is very difficult and cumbersome
activity and hence to be avoided.
❖ Selection of working line (main line/loop line) is to be decided based upon working
direction of BCM and turnout layout (RH/LH).
❖ Point sleepers may be inspected and if are in unfavorable direction scheme to correct
the sleepers and point motor on favorable side may be worked out.
❖ Identified hidden obstructions like rail, sleepers, drains, CC foundations etc. are to be
removed in advance.
❖ Polarity bonds, L-bonds, structure bonds, cross bonds required to be disconnected and
reconnected during BCM/UNIMAT block are to be identified in advance. Alteration to
electrical track bonding, if required, is to be done by Engineering department in terms
of Para 664(2)(b) of IRPWM-June 2020.
❖ To carry out S&T preliminary works, Supervisory staff and S&T Black Smith will be
provided by S&T Department, however, Engineering department shall provide
required trackmen/contractor labour to assist S&T supervisors sufficiently in advance
of the traffic block. This staff will be continued under S&T supervisor until
completion of the line block.
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Introductory Hand book on Track Machine for S&T Staff
❖ Identified hidden S&T cables are to be removed in advance. Cables having less than
1.0 meters depth from the rail level and coming in cutting width of BCM are to be
identified and relocated/or fresh cable should be laid appropriately in advance block.
❖ If any cable laying is required and feasible, same shall be done at an adequate depth
across the affected track portion. Engineering department shall provide necessary
trackmen / contractor labour for such work and such trackmen/contractor labour will
work under supervision and direction of S&T supervisor.
❖ S&T staff should fully equip themselves with adequate tools, drilling machines, cable
bits, wired TUBs, cable termination boxes etc. to attend the block.
❖ S&T Department shall arrange for disconnection and removal of S&T gears such as
Axle counter, track circuit including TLJB boxes, roddings, S&T cables etc.
❖ Level crossings should be opened in advance so as to enable machine to work, and any
infringement in cutting zone on road of LC shall be identified & removed prior to
block. Sleepers should be arranged for replacement of unserviceable sleepers at level
crossing.
❖ It should be ensured that S&T staff is available as necessary during working of Track
Machine.
❖ Block requirement should be jointly signed by Engineering, S&T and TRD
supervisors and block cancellation should be jointly given by all the three
departments.
❖ Ensure that damage to buried cable or cable coils, track lead junction box and other
S&T connections are avoided during working of track machine.
❖ Ensure that the S&T apparatus disconnected for work of Track Machine
(UNIMAT/BCM) is restored to its original state and working satisfactorily after
thorough testing and arrange to issue reconnection notice.
❖ After deep screening of point zone, Engineering Department is to ensure manual
packing/UNIMAT packing.
❖ S&T Department will re-fix their assets and connections. However, re-fixing of
traction bond will be done by Engineering dept. in terms of Para 664 (2)(h) of
IRPWM-June 2020. Confirmation of completion of bonding work is to be done
jointly by TRD and Engineering staff before giving joint fit memo of points and
crossings.
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Introductory Hand book on Track Machine for S&T Staff
❖ Engineering supervisor will ensure proper setting/housing of tongue rail and working
of points to the satisfaction of S&T supervisor at work site & will obtain written
acknowledgment from S&T supervisor on the fit memo to be given to operating staff.
❖ After completion of work, joint fitness of turnout point by Engg., S&T & TRD is to
be conveyed to ASM at the earliest. In exceptional cases, where due to some technical
reasons, re-fixing of S&T installations is taking more time, to avoid detention of
trains, Engineering fitness may be given first and trains may be passed by clamping of
point and issue of appropriate paper authority by ASM/SM. Thereafter joint fitness of
turnout is to be given at the earliest.
1. Track machine working is likely to produce a dusty atmosphere and/or heavy noise
pollution. Hence extra care is necessary at site to ensure safety of workers. For this,
Hooters are provided on the track machines. These hooters warn the staff working
on/around the track machine about approaching train on adjoining track. S&T Staff
should be alert and keep himself safe if any Hooters sound while working of Track
Machine.
2. Always wear Safety helmets / Shoes and masks to avoid inhaling dust.
3. Always keep your eyes open for other men working close to the machine.
4. Do not forget to look out for signals, switches and track obstructions.
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REFERENCES
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QUALITY POLICY