TRACK

TOLERANCES

NEETHU NARAYANAN
B060128CE
MURSHID
B060471CE 1
Introduction
¾ The safety and comfort of rail travel depend primarily on the track
geometry and the standard to which it has been maintained.

¾ Parameters governing the track geometry have always certain

variations due to various reasons.

Track tolerance:
- may be defined as the limit of variability of
various parameters pertaining to track geometry.

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 TRACK PARAMETERS

The tolerances are generally laid down for following track parameters,

1) Gauge variation:
this is measured as deviation from nominal gauge which is 1676 mm for
B.G. and 1000 mm for M.G. Gauge is measured as the minimum distance
between running faces of two rails.

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2) Unevenness:
this is measured in terms of difference in the longitudinal
levels over a fixed base. Unevenness is generally measured over a
base of 3.5 meters of length and for left and right rails separately.

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3) Cross level difference:
this is measured in terms of relative difference in the level of two rail tops
measured at the same point. Cross level difference also includes the variations in
super elevation.

If a1 and a2 are the absolute height of the 2 rails at

the same point, then

Cross level difference = a1- a2

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4) Twist:
this is measured in terms of change in cross levels per unit
length of measurement. Twist is calculated by knowing the cross level
difference between two points over a fixed base and dividing the cross
level difference by the base length. This is normally denoted as
mm/meter.

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5) Alignment variation:
this is measured in terms of variation in versines taken on
successive chords of fixed length with overlaps of half chords. This is
measured over a base of 7.5 meter length on left and right rail
separately.

*** versine = versed sine ÆVersin (θ) = 1 – cos (θ)

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 TOLERANCES UNDER LOADED OR FLOATING CONDITION
The various parameters of track geometry can be measured under loaded or under
floating( non load) condition.

¾ Normally there is not likely to be much difference in the measurement of gauge

and alignment under loaded or floating condition.

¾ cross level, unevenness, and twist differ considerably when track is under
loaded condition from the floating conditionÆ so the measurements of these
parameters are taken under loaded condition.
VALUE UNDER VALUE UNDER
PARAMATERES FLOATING CONDITION LOADED CONDITION
Cross levels 6 mm 10 mm
Longitudinal levels 6 mm 12 mm
Gauge G mm (G+1-1.5)mm
Alignment A mm (A+1-1.5)mm
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 TYPE OF TRACK TOLERANCES
-- different type of track tolerances are stipulated depending upon the purpose for
which these are made.
1) SAFETY TOLERANCES:
¾ These are the limits of variations at which dangerous or unsafe conditions arise
for the movement of the trains.
¾ Depends upon condition of track + type of vehicle, its riding characteristics and
its maintenance standard.

BUT……….
¾ The factors governing the unsafe conditions are so variable and
indeterminate that almost none of the railway systems in the world has
laid down the safety tolerances.
¾ It is felt that the track has to deteriorate too much for reaching these
unsafe limits.

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2) SLOW DOWN TOLERANCES

¾ These are the tolerances which when reached call for slowing down of
trains.

¾It was considered that it is not necessary to fix these slow down
tolerances for Indian railways in view of the past experience.

¾but now slow down tolerances are fixed

¾Investigations done by RDSO reveal that 4- wheeled wagon is the

most critical rolling stock in empty condition.

¾Depending upon the values of unevenness and twist the speed of 4

wheeler wagons should be reduced as per the table…….
Speed( Kmph) Peak value of unevenness on Peak value of twist on
3.6 m (mm) 3.6 m (mm)
75 14 13
60 16 15
45 22 22
30 24 25
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15 33 30
3) SERVICE TOLERANCES OR GOOD RIDING TOLERANCES
¾ these are the tolerances to which the track parameters may vary any time
during service.
¾ These tolerances are based on the acceptable limits of riding comfort in
relation to the vehicles in use.
SERVICE TOLERANCES FOR 120 KMPH ON B.G.
1. TRACK GAUGE: tolerance generally in isolated locations
a) On straight track +6 mm ------
- 3 mm ------
b) On curves up to 4o + 13 mm ------
- 3 mm ------
c) On curves > 4o for introduction + 19 mm ------
of high speeds.

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SERVICE TOLERANCES Contd….

2. Unevenness measured under loaded condition on a 3.5 m base.

tolerance generally in isolated locations
a) On long term basis 6 mm 10 mm
b) As an immediate measure 10 mm 15 mm

3. Twist measured under loaded condition on a 3.5 m base

tolerance generally in isolated locations
a) On straight and on curved 2 mm/m 3.5 mm/m
b) track other than on transitions. 1 mm/m 2.1 mm/m

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SERVICE TOLERANCES Contd….

4. Alignment measured as versine on 7.5 m chord

tolerance generally in isolated locations

a) On straight 5 mm 10 mm

b) On curves 5 mm 7 mm

5. Cross level Æ not specified on consideration that small but constant cross
level difference do not matter much.

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4) MAINTANANCE TOLERANCE
¾ These are the tolerances which are achieved immediately after the track
is attended to.
¾ these tolerances depend upon the track structure, tools and equipment
used, method of maintenance adopted, supervision available and such other
factors.
¾These tolerances are prescribed arbitrarily so that the results of
maintenance can be assessed.
The Tolerances laid down by Northern Railway
Unevenness + or -2 mm over a 3.5 m base
Alignment + 2 mm over a 7.5 m base
Cross level + 2 mm

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5) INDEX TOLERANCES
¾ these are the tolerances which when exceeded, would call for attention of
maintenance units to undertake maintenance work.
¾ These are also called maintenance schedule tolerances.
¾ Index tolerances are somewhat lesser than the service tolerances.
¾ Eastern railway proposed that index tolerances should be kept at 60-70 % of
service tolerances.

Parameter index tolerance

a) Cross level 3 mm
b) Alignment on 7.5 m base 3 mm
c) Sleeper to sleeper variation in gauge 2 mm

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TOLERANCES FOR TRACK LAID WITH NEW TRACK MATERIALS
SL NO parameter location value

1 Gauge Straight +-2mm

BG curves<4o, MG<6oNG<14o -3 mm,1 mm

2 Cross level straight +- 3 mm

3 Packing -------- 20% sleepers

loose
4 Alignment Straight(10 m chord) +-2 mm
Curves of radius 600 m & 20 m chord +-5mm
Curves of radius 600 m & 20 m chord +-10 mm
5 Sleeper spacing ------- +-20 mm

6 Joints (not square) -------- +- 10 mm

On straights +- 10 mm
On curves .5*pitch of fish
bolt holes
7 Low joints ---------- Not permitted

8 High joints ---------- 2 mm

9 Expansion gaps ---------- +-2 mm 16

6) NEW TRACK TOLERANCES
¾ These are tolerances prescribed for laying the new track
¾ These are meant for testing the quality of the work done
¾ Northern Railway has laid down desirable standards on an experimental
basis for track laid with new track

Parameter length of chord standard deviation

1. Unevenness 3.6 m 1.20
2. Unevenness 9.6 m 2.50
3. Twist 3.6 m 1.75
4. Alignment 7.2 m 1.50

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RIDE INDEX
Ride index is a value which will represent the riding comfort
experienced by a passenger in a coach
R.I. is calculated as,

R.I.= 0.896 x (b3 x Ԅ(f)/f)^0.1

R.I.= ride index

b = acceleration in cm/s^2
f = frequency in cycles/s
Ԅ(f)= correction factor

R.I. 1 2 3 4 5
Appreciation very good good satisfactory tolerable dangerous 18
Reference:

* Indian Railway Track – M.M. Agarwal

6th Edition

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THANK YOU

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