MAINTENANCE:

Buildings and Structures

INTRODUCTION
Railway infrastructure includes railway lines and other
structures, buildings and equipment, together with the corresponding
land, located on railway premises, designed for the management,
passenger or freight transport, and for the maintenance of the
infrastructure manager's property for these purposes.
GUIDELINES
Track Structure

> Bridge Inspection

Basic inspection requirements around bridges includes:
a) Surface, line and gauge must be maintained on open and ballast deck
bridges, and any unusual conditions reported to the Track Supervisor.
b) Pay particular attention to surface and line at bridge approaches.
c) Dirt, weeds, brush and other debris must be removed from
accessible areas of bridge piers, abutments, girders, stringers and other
structural members.
> Guard Rails on Bridges & in Tunnels
Guard rails are recommended on all bridges, in all tunnels and
locations where overhead obstructions exist. Current
recommendations require that the guard rails extend 60’ beyond the
portals or ends of the structures at these locations on concrete tie
territory and extend 39’ on wood tie territories. Check to ensure
guard rails are 14 inches from the running rail on ballast deck
bridges and 9 inches from the running rail on open deck bridges.
Ensure all fasteners and joints are secured. Structures will be
inspected annually or at a frequency to ascertain that the Transit
Standards and requirements are met to ensure a safe operation.
Culvert Inspection
 Culverts must be maintained to provide adequate opening through
the roadway for passage of water under the track structure.
 Culverts must be kept free of obstructions as a guard against
washouts and other damage to roadbed.
 Culverts should be inspected annually. The inspection will include
a visual inspection of the interior of the culvert by walking through
where possible or by sighting through from the ends to determine
the degree of blockage, settlement or separation of joints.
A report of the culvert inspection will be made and will contain the
following information:
• Mile Post location.
• Description of culvert showing type, size, length of pipe, box or arch
and depth of fill from top of culvert to bottom of crosstie.
• Defects, if any.
• Recommendation for repairs or replacement including size and/or
type of replacement proposed.
 Track inspectors will observe the ends of culverts for
obstructions and will maintain when possible the ends of culverts
free of debris.
Any irregular surface or alignment of track over culverts will be
investigated to determine if culvert has settled or failed.
When erosion occurs at the ends of culverts, the embankment
must be protected by the placing of rip-rap or similar materials.
Special inspections will be made during and immediately following
periods of heavy rainfall to ensure culverts are functioning properly.
Grade Crossings
All rails at the grade crossing should be fitted withguard rails, check rails or
similar devices. Theflangeway should be approximately 1-7/8 inches wideto
provide an adequate pathway for the wheels of thetrains. It is essential that the
flangeway be kept clear ofdirt and other obstruction to prevent the train
wheelsfrom climbing up onto the crossing surface.
Track Inspectors will observe the following instructions:
Inspections of all crossings should be conducted asfollows:
a. Every time the crossing is passed it should bevisually inspected for defects.
b. Crossings should be inspected at least monthly onfoot measuring gauge and
observing overall condition.
c. Detailed Crossing Inspection should be performedannually (unless otherwise
directed by theAuthority), looking closely at the condition of allcomponents.
d. All unacceptable conditions must be eithercorrected or reported to the Track
Supervisor.
e. All unsafe conditions which cannot be corrected immediately must also be
reported to the ControlCenter and proper action taken to protect traffic onall
routes.
f. Crossings must be adequately protected at all timeswith spare components to ensure
continuedoperation. All signs and other forms of protectionat grade crossings must be
present and visible fromthe roadway. Any signs or protective devices notfunctional must
be immediately repaired orreplaced.
g. Surface water should not be present on thecrossing. Surface water flowing along the
roadsurface towards the track should be diverted beforeit reaches the track.
h. Approaches to the track should be on a smoothgrade with no abrupt breaks so that
heavymachinery or vehicles with low road clearance maypass over the crossing without
touching the rails orthe surface of the crossing.
i. The flangeways should be two inches wide and notless than two (2) inches deep. If a
flangeway is lessthan 1-1/2”, speed should be restricted to 15 mph.Flangeways greater
than 2” should be reported andscheduled for repair. The flangeways should be keptclean
at all times.
 
The view in both directions for vehiclesapproaching the track should be kept as clear
aspractical.
k. All signs and other forms of protection at gradecrossings must be present and visible
from theroadway. Any signs or protective devices notfunctional must be immediately
repaired orreplaced.
l. The width of the crossing should be sufficient toaccommodate the width of the
roadway. Theshoulder should be placed along the edges of thecrossing in the space
between the tracks.
Trackage in Platform Areas

In order to comply with ADA requirements of no morethan 3

inch horizontal gap and no more than 5/8 inchvertical gap (between
the vehicle floor and the top ofplatform), the following track
geometry limits should be
used:

It should be noted that in order to perform the required track

geometry measurements, the track inspector must enter the trackage
in the platform area. This requires extreme care and coordination
with operations in order to perform these measurements safely. It is
suggested that the track be taken out of service during the inspection.
Fences and Access Gates
Inspect for holes in and under fences. Check for damaged and
unsecured access gates. Also inspect the intrusion lines along the
fence line. Note any breaks or damage on report.

Crosswalks
Inspect for damaged and high boards. Also note any missing
crosswalks or components. Under no circumstances should any part
of the crosswalk extend above the top of the running rail.

Signs
Note any damaged or illegible signs. All signs must be cleared
of vegetation that could prevent them from being seen. Ensure sign
posts are secure and easily seen by an approaching train.
Tunnel Lights
Note on report any dark, damaged or flickering tunnel lights.

Manhole/Drain Covers
Missing covers should be noted on report. Protective action such
as the erection of barricades, flags and lights should be taken for
missing or damaged manhole/drain covers so that they are highly
visible.
Storage of Materials and Equipment
Track Inspectors must observe any material stored along the
Right of Way. Material and equipment stored along the right of way
should be placed where it will not interfere with the safe operation of
the trains. Placement should be secure so that vibration from passing
trains will not allow materials or equipment to move into the rail
vehicles' clearance envelope. In addition, material and equipment
stored should be placed such that it will not interfere with:
a) Possible evacuation of passengers and personnel in an emergency;
b) Possible actions of emergency personnel;
c) Come in contact with rail vehicles;
d) Operation of train control systems;
e) Operation of switches and special trackwork;
f) Operation of moveable bridges;
g) Traction Power distribution systems; and
h) Contact the running or guard rails.
 In addition to that shown above, extra precaution should be
taken with items such as rail, pipe, conduit and inner-ducts to allow
for thermal expansion and contraction. Proper housekeeping
practices should be maintained in all work areas at all times. This
includes the removal of material or equipment when work has been
completed in the area.
Any material not in compliance must be reported to the
Supervisor. If there is a danger of interrupted service (vehicles, train
etc.), the inspector must advise the Operations Control Center for
advice.
IMPORTANCE OF TRAIN MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Facilities
Trains require special facilities for storage and maintenance. The
layout of a maintenance facility or depot will consist of a storage
yard, a car cleaning area, an inspection and light maintenance shed, a
heavy maintenance shop and, possibly, a separate locomotive shop or
at least an area for locomotives if EMUs are the main service
providers. A typical facility with space for EMUs, works trains and
locomotives.
Access
An essential feature of any depot is good access, for both road
and rail. Good rail access means that trains can get in and out of the
depot without delaying trains on the main line and without upsetting
operations within the depot.

Cleaning and Stabling

Trains are stabled in depots or sidings when not in use and they need
to be cleaned and serviced.  Cleaning means a regular exterior water
wash and interior sweeping and dusting or vacuuming. 
Water, power and toilet cleaning systems need to be provided in such
areas, adjacent to each train to be serviced.  Access to trains must be
designed so that cleaning staff can reach them safely while carrying
their equipment. 
Train Washing Machines
Train washer plant works on the same principle as a car wash,
except that, usually, the train is driven through the wash and the
washer itself stays in one place.
Washing machines require that the track on either side is straight
for at least one car's length.  This is to ensure that the car goes into
the wash straight.  There will also be a need for proper drainage
facilities, complete with waste water management and, for the
chemical wash, waste retrieval using a clarifier or separator.
Wheel Lathe
Many modern depots are equipped with a wheel profiling
facility known as a wheel lathe.  These are normally designed so that
the wheels can be reprofiled while still on the train. Removing the
wheels requires the train to be lifted and this is an expensive business
and very time-consuming.  To avoid this, the underfloor wheel lathe
or "ground" wheel lathe was developed.
Wheels can be removed from a train by a "wheel drop", where the
wheelset is lowered underneath the train into a basement below the
depot floor. Train wheels wear just as car tyres do and they need to
be checked regularly.   
Leaves on the Line
One of the major sources of wheel damage in temperate climates
with decidious trees is fallen leaves. Fallen leaves really can disrupt
rail services.

Inspection Sheds
Special facilities are required to carry out rolling stock
inspections. A properly constructed building, capable of
accommodating a whole train, should be provided.  Access to the
underneath of the train is essential and this must be designed to allow
reasonable working conditions and safety.
Shore Supplies
Inside train sheds and shops, it is necessary to provide shore
supplies for trains and power for tools and maintenance equipment. 
Where overhead electric traction is used, the overhead wires are
usually installed inside inspection sheds but not in shops were
vehicles are lifted.  If it is necessary to get access to the roofs of
trains, the overhead current must be switched off and the switch
secured by a lock.  Any person working on the roof will have a
personal access key for the lock to ensure the current remains off
until the work is complete and it is safe for it to be restored.