LINING OF TRACK

(Correcting Track Alignment by Tamping Machines)

By

Anurag Rastogi
Professor/Track Machine/IRICEN
 Objectives of the Session
At the end of the session we may be able to –
Define Basic principle of lining by Tamping machines
Describe 4-point lining system
Explain the method of alignment of track using 4-point
lining
List out the corrections to be applied in 4-point lining
Describe 3-point lining system
Calculate Versines on Transition and Circular portion of
curves while using 3-point lining system
List out the differences between 4-point and 3-point lining
system
Differentiate Design mode and Smoothening mode of
working
Lining, Levelling and Tamping mechanism-
in all Plain Track and Points & Crossing Tamping
machines, with or without satellite unit, is same
 LINING- TO ACHIEVE

• Bring the track to original laid alignment ?

• Bring the track to some desired alignment ?

• Limit the station to station variation of versine?

 METHODS OF LINING

• 4-Point Lining

• 3-Point Lining

• 4 & 3 indicates the number of trolleys in machine, used for

Lining purpose.
• However the principle involved in both methods are different
LAYOUT OF TAMPING MACHINES

WORKING DIRECTION

LEVELLING
CHORD FRONT CABIN
REAR/WORKING SATELITE LIFTING AND LINING UNIT
CABIN
FRAME

REAR BOGIE TAMPING FRONT TROLLEY

REAR WHEEL LINING TROLLEY FRONT BOGIE
UNIT
TROLLEY MEASURING SATELITE WHEEL
TROLLEY

A Chord is stretched between centre point of Rear and Front

Trolley and is used as reference for correction of Alignment
 BASIC PRINCIPLE OF LINING
• Machine measures alignment of only one pre-
selected reference rail and rectifies that rail
• The alignment of other rail, being fixed with the
sleeper, also gets rectified (except for the gauge
defect if any)
• Alignment is corrected by correcting versines
• Versines on straight tracks are zero
• Versine on curved track depends on radius of curve,
chord length for measurement and location of
measurement.
 REFRENCE RAIL

• On curved track
Outer rail (Preferably)
However, any of the rail can be taken as reference rail.

• On straight track
Any of the two rails which is less disturbed
4- POINT LINING METHOD
 VERSINE MEASURING SYSTEM

Lifting Cum
Measuring Trolley Lining Unit Front Trolley

Transducer
Versine H1

Reference Rail

Rear Trolley Transducer

Lining Trolley Satellite Unit
Versine H2

Direction of movement
MEASURED VALUES ON CURVES

H1 Reference Rail
H2

C D
B

Relation between H1 and H2 ?

 BASIC PRINCIPLE OF VERSINE

H1
H2
H1(2R-H1)=ACxCD
Neglecting H1 as compared to R A B C D

for Rly curves

H1x2R=ACxCD 2R-H1
H1 =ACxCD/2R
H2=ABxBD/2R
H1 / H2 =ACxCD/ABxBD= i
i is called versine ratio

H =i X H where i=ACxCD/ABxBD
 Versine Ratio (i)

i=H1 / H2
i= ACxCD/ABxBD
Where AC, CD, AB & BD are trolley distances
So “i” is a machine property and does not depend
on Curve Radius i.e.
“Ratio of versines measured at any two points on
a chord of a circle is independent of curve radius”
 4 Point Lining Principle
Rear Tightening Measuring Trolley Lining Trolley Front Trolley
Trolley

6.000 4.700 10.05

4.700
6.000
14.750
14.750

=(10.7*10.050)/2R
=(6.0*14.750)/2R

For various distances for a CSM, i = (10.70 * 10.050)/(6.000 * 14.750)

i = 1.215
4 Point Lining – Versine Ratios
 CORRECTION OF CURVE IN 4-
POINT
Disturbed curve.
Desired Circular
D Curve

C
B H1 Direction of m/c
H2 movement
A

• Machine measures versine at B i.e. H2

• Multiplies it with ‘i’ and compares it with versine at C i.e.
H1.
• Slewing of track (by lining unit) at C is done till H1 = i x
H2
 CORRECTION OF CURVE
Ideal chord Current chord
location location

?
H2

Disturbed curve.
Will we get correct H2 ? Desired Circular
Curve
 4 Point Lining System
Curve Slewed to
Target geometry
Post Tamping Alignment If
FD ≠ 0

Target
Position of
Track

Error in H2
Desired Chord location
Existing Chord
Location Existing Track

For CSM Error Reduction Ratio,

n4pt = AD * BD/AC * BC = (20.750 * 14.750)/(10.700 * 4.700) = 6.0859
Error in Linear & Circular
Arrangement
Residual error in linear G
& circular arrangement

FD
F
E
H

A B C D

Error HF = CF – CH
 Error in Linear & Circular Arrangement
If AB= 5, BC = 5, CD= 10
From similar triangles, ACF & ADG Residual error in linear G
CF/DG = AC/AD → CF= 10/20 * & circular arrangement
DG
i.e. CF = DG/2 = FD /2

From Similar triangles ABE

F
FD
& ADG
BE/DG = AB/AD → BE = E
(5/20)* DG = DG/4 H
BE = DG/4 = FD /4

⸫ CF = 2 BE A 5 B 5 C 10
D
CH = i * BE
= (AC*CD/AB*BD) * BE
= (10* 10/ 5*15) * BE
CH = 1.33 BE
Error HF = CF – CH = 0.67 BE = 0.67* FD/4 = FD /6
4 Point Lining System – Error Reduction Ratios
 Error at one location is replaced by
smaller errors at a number of locations
as machine moves forward

Residual Existing curve

Error = X/6 with AL defect =X

D
H1=i*H2
H2
C D
B
A C D
B
A C
B Original defect reduced
A
but new smaller defects at
different locations
produced
CORRECTION OF CURVE

Disturbed curve.
Desired circular
curve
 Finding FD ?
FD is the distance between the existing curve and
the desired curve to be achieved.

a. Design alignment of Curve known and references

marked
 Reference Points or Designed Alignment

b. Different or new Alignment

 Slew Charts
SLEW CHART-Fd
 Where to Feed Fd
 Fd is fed at front trolley location ensuring that the
trolley moves along the desired alignment.

 So from ROC calculation we only take slew value.

Versine is calculated by machine using

H1=i*H2

What about Transition ?

 Principle of Adjustments
on Transition Curves
Straight track
Transition Curve

Direction of Working

Curve will be pulled inside so ST is shifted back by CD distance

 Principle of Adjustments
on Transition Curves
(versine correction at entry of curve)

Direction of Work

Straight Transition

If going from high radius to low radius ,V is to be added

Principle of Adjustments on Transition Curves
(versine correction on curve entry)

INSIDE Shifting of Curve

WORKING
DIRECTION

STRAIGHT
STRAIGHT TRANSITION
TRANSITION

H1+V
H
 Principle of Adjustments
on Transition Curves
(Versine correction at exit of curve)

C
B

H1-V

If going from low radius to high radius, V is to be substracted

 Principle of Adjustments on Transition Curves
(versine correction at Curve Exit)
WORKING
DIRECTION
V

C
B STRAIGHT
TRANSITION

H1-V
Effect of not feeding Vm value

• Goose neck formation.

• In worst case, Shifting of whole curve
 Principle of Adjustments
on Transition Curves

• Versine correction V is fed in front cabin in versine potentiometer and

written on sleepers under front trolley position (D) but is applied at
lining trolley(C)
• DIRECTION OF Vm TO BE GIVEN
• The value of Vm increases till the machine completely occupies
transition curve, as the curvature is increasing non-linearly.
• Thereafter it becomes constant till the machine is in transition as the
variation between front & rear trolley is constant.
• When machine enters circular, Vm starts reducing and becomes Zero
when the machine completely occupies circular curve.
 Adjustments for Transition Curves
4 – Point System
ve
Circular Cur Transition

ition Straigh
Trans t

t ra ight
S

Correction Inward
Correction
-ve
Outward
+ve

AD AD
Vm1

AD AD
Vm2

Straight Transition Straight

Circular Curve Transition
Versine correction for Transition Curves
4 – Point System
Working Direction

L1 CT L2
TC R
M/c Chord length TS
M/c Chord length
ST
Outward

Vm1
Vm2
M/c Chord length
M/C Chord length
Inward
Vm = Constant / R * L
Constant → Depends upon machine, R= Radius of Circular portion,
L= Transition length
 4 Point Lining
Constant for Various Machines

Machine Constant value

(RT-4 manual)

08-UNO/DUO 83,000
CSM 82,485
UNIMAT 2S 88,333
UNIMAT 3S 1,16,603
WST 84,000
 Vm Values- Where ?

• The Constant Values are given in RT-4 manual (instruction

manual) of each Machine
Vm Values
Vm correction distribution
Vm Correction distribution
 Adjustments for Curves without
Transition
(4 – Point Lining System)
th Working Direction
n g
Le M/
d
h or c
Ch
c C or
/ dL
M en
SC CS gth
R
Outward

M/c Chord Length M/c Chord Length

Fm

Fm = Constant / R Fm
Inward
Fmax Values
Distribution of F
REVERSE CURVE CASE
 L22 TS2
Working Direction
R2 CT2
L21
L12
Common Tangent O TC2
CT
1
TC1 R1 R2<R1
L11 M/c Chord Inward
M/c Chord
length
length
ST1 O O’

Vm11 Vm22
Vm12 Vm21
Outward
M/c Chord Vm00’ M/c Chord
length M/c Chord
Inward length
Outward length
COMPOUND CURVE WITHOUT TRANSITION
 Working Direction
CS2
SC1
R2
R1

Common Tangent O

Inward
M/c Chord length
M/c Chord length M/c Chord length
O O’
Fm2
H1

Fm1 Foo’

Outward Outward
If(R2<R1)
 DATAS REQUIRED FOR
4 – Point System
2. Versine Correction
1. Front offset-FD Working Direction

L1 CT L2
TC R
FD
M/c Chord length TS
M/c Chord length
ST
Outward

Vm1
Vm2
M/c Chord length
M/C Chord length
Inward
 4 Point Lining System
• Not to be used for Straight Tracks ?
As correction of versine is by comparison and not by absolute value
Any small error will be repeated again & again along with
magnification
• Used on curves- ?
For smoothening of curve & bringing to near target profile ?
• Correction (Vm) for Transition curve in versine potentiometer
• Determine slews (FD) by ROC or From reference points
• Enter slews (FD) in the slew potentiometer
 4-Point Lining Modes
Smoothening mode (Neither Vm nor FD) – Goose neck on either
end of curve & multiple small errors through out the curve
Smoothening/Compensation (Plasser) – Only Vm is fed at
changing radius location
(Smoothening/Error Reduction4 )
 Avoids goose neck & smoothens (reduces error size) curve but
increases no. of such errors
Design mode
(Smoothened and brought to Near Target profile4 )
Vm correction & Fd values are to be fed
(R & L as per ROC calculation)
Avoids goose neck & brings back curve to near designed one?
3-Point Lining method
LAYOUT OF TAMPING MACHINES

WORKING DIRECTION

LEVELLING
CHORD FRONT CABIN
REAR/WORKING SATELITE LIFTING AND LINING UNIT
CABIN
FRAME

X
REAR BOGIE TAMPING FRONT TROLLEY
REAR WHEEL LINING TROLLEY FRONT BOGIE
UNIT
TROLLEY MEASURING SATELITE WHEEL
TROLLEY

Only 3 trolleys are used

 3 Point Lining Principle
Rear Trolley Measuring Trolley Lining Trolley
Folded Clamped to Zero Only H1 is Measured

Direction of Work

For Any Circular Curve

H1 = (BC * CD)/2R
VERSINE MEASURING SYSTEM

Lifting Cum
Measuring Trolley Lining Unit Front Trolley

Transducer
Versine H

Reference Rail

Lining Trolley Satellite Unit

Direction of movement
CORRECTION OF CURVE

Disturbed curve.
Corrected curve
3 Point Lining System
Post Tamping Alignment
If FD ≠ 0
Track slewed to
H1 FR = FGeometry
Target D/N

Target Track

Existing Track

Error Reduction Factor

n = 14.75/4.7 = 3.14
 3 Point Lining System
Error Reduction Ratios
 Finding FD

FD is the distance between the existing curve and the

desired curve to be achieved.
Methods:
• Reference Points – on outside of curve
• Slew Charts – from ROC

FD to be fed at front trolley position to run the chord

along desired alignment of curve including transition.
 3 Point Lining
Versine Values for Transition
B C
H1 H1
D
Circular Curve

H1

H1

While entering a curve While Leaving a curve

Versine is to be fed at location D but applied at C.

 3 Point Lining System
Versine for 3-Point lining

The versine to be fed is different from what is written on

curve because:-
1. The measuring chord is different and the measuring
location is not at centre of chord.
2. Versine is fed in front cabin and written on sleepers
under front trolley position (D) but is applied at
lining trolley(C)
 Versines on Transition Curves
Straight track
Transition Curve

Direction of Working
 Versine Values in Transition Portion

Non-Linear

Linear

A, B, C & D are machine chord lengths

 Versine Values- Where ?

• The Versine Values are given in RT-3 manual of each

Machine
 VERSINES FOR MACHINE

Chord length Chord length

DIRECTION OF DIRECTION OF WORK
Y Z
WORK CT
Hw Hx
1m TC 1m

Hv Hy H H Hv
Hz TS
ST Hx Hw
X W

Chord length Chord length

3 Point Lining System
H= (BC*CD)/2R
Hx =Cxz/RL
Hw=Cyw/RL X,Y,Z,W are region of Chord length
Hz=H-Hx
Hy=H-Hw
Hv = H/L
 VERSINES FOR MACHINE

Working Direction

L1 CT L2
TC R
M/c Chord length M/c Chord length
ST TS

Hy Hz
H Hw
HX Hp Hr

M/c Chord length M/C Chord length

X Y Z W
Region
P R
Linear Variations in Versines

L1 = X+P, L2 = Z+R
 Versine Factor for different m/c
 For 09-32 CSM - 41.53 %

 For Duo 08-32 C – 49.55 %

 For Tamping Express 09-3X –66.79 %

NOTE: However in the ST-TC + M/c chord length, this factor will
give erroneous results, as the variation is not linear.
 Example: Hx,Hy,Hw,Hz and H values
Method of attending curve of Radius 583 m and transition
length 70 m by 09-32 CSM using 3-Point lining system.

For 09-32 CSM AB=6m, BC=4.7m, CD=10.05 m, AC=10.7 m,

BD=14.75m, AD=20.75m
Here
H =(BCxCD)/2R=23617/R=40.5mm
Hv= 40.5/L = 0.578 mm/m

If Fd is taken from ROC calculation, R and L will be taken for

the resultant curve coming from ROC
 Y
Z
TC CT
H
X
W
ST TS

Length of X, Y, Z & W i.e.

=BD=14.75
Versine for sections X, Y, Z and W
Distance from ST, TC, CT &TS (in
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 14.75
m)
SECTION X AND Z
R XL 40810 m
Constant for sections X & Z (Cxz) 0 425 3399 11417 27191 53107 90534 135455 153120

H x = Cxz
0 0.01 0.08 0.3 0.6 1.3 2.2 3.3 3.7
RXL
Hz= H –Hx 40.5 40.5 40.4 40.2 39.9 39.2 38.3 37.2 36.8
SECTION Y AND W
Constant for sections
195238 148428 104167 65004 33489 12170 2362 48 0
Y & W (Cyw)
Hw = Cyw
4.8 3.63 2.55 1.6 0.8 0.3 0.06 0 0
RXL

Hy = H –Hw 35.7 36.9 37.9 38.9 39.7 40.2 39.9 40.5 40.5
Distance from end ST 14.75 24.74 34.75 44.75 55.75 65.75 70

Distance from end of X(x) 0 10 20 30 40 50 55.25

Hxy=3.7+x*Hv 3.7 9.5 15.3 21.0 26.8 32.6 35.7

Distance from end CT 14.75 24.74 34.75 44.75 55.75 65.75 70

Distance from end of Z(z) 0 10 20 30 40 50 55.25

Hzw=36.8-z*Hv 36.8 31.02 25.24 19.46 13.68 7.9 4.86

 EXAMPLE-TARGET VERSINES
DIRECTION OF
WORK

Chord length Chord length

14.75m 14.75m DIRECTION OF WORK
Y CT
4.8 mm
1m
3.7 mm
1m
TC 40.5 mm
40.5mm 0.578 mm
0.578 mm 36.8 mm
35.7 mm TS

ST 3.7 mm 4.8 mm

14.75m 14.75m
Chord length Chord length
Circular

70 m 70 m
Transition length Transition length
 Thus …Datas Required for 3 point Design
lining
2.0 Versine values at different
1.0 Front Offset (Fd) or Slew positions of front tower
 Curve Without Transition
Working Direction

SC CS
R

M/c Chord Length M/c Chord Length

H
HFx HFw

Region X W
 REVERSE CURVE CASE TS2
Working Direction L22

R2 CT2
L21
L12
Common Tangent TC2
O
CT1

TC1
L11
R1
M/c Chord length M/c Chord length
ST1 O’
O Hoo’
Hx1
H1 Hz1 HR2
Hp2 Hz2 Hw2
Hp1 Hy1 HR1 Hy2 H2
M/c Chord length
M/c Chord length
M/c Chord length
Region X1 Y1 Z1 OO’ Y2 Z2 W2
P1 R1 P2 R2
 compound curve
Working Direction
CS2
SC1
R2
R1

Common Tangent O

M/c Chord length

M/c Chord length O O’ M/c Chord length

HFX1 H1 H2 HFw2
Hoo’

Region X1
W2
SOFTWARE FOR CALCULATING VERSINE
 3 Point Lining System
Modes
•Elementary/geometry mode – Smoothening mode
On the Basis of known Track Geometry (R and L details)
Hx,Hy,Hz,Hw, Hv and H are calculated
No Field survey is done and FD is not Fed
- Smoothening (reduction of error size) of curve is obtained but
increase in no. of such errors.
•Design mode
On the basis of known track geometry (R and L detail as per
ROC) Hx,Hy,Hz,Hw, Hv and H are calculated
Field survey done and FD is calculated and fed
- Ideal desired curve is achieved, provided no error is left by
machine
 3 Point Lining System

Where to be used ?

Can be used for both straight and curved track

• On straight – Versine = 0
• On curve – Versine as calculated for various
portions of curve
 3 –point Lining on Straight Track
B C D

Tr

3.79 M 10.96 M
Lining transducer
Left Right
Datum Datum

Existing Versine
How alignment errors are picked by machine for rectification

B 5mm C D
lining error

Tr 5mm
Centre
line of Tr

3.79 M 10.96 M
Lining transducer

Original
Existing Versine Lining indicator
position
Transducer shifted by 5mm
 B C D

Track shifted till the centre of

transducer coincides with the
chord
Tr

3.79 M 10.96 M
Lining transducer
Left Right
Datum Datum

Existing Versine
 When front trolly is on wrong alignment
5mm

D
B C
2.57 mm 10 mm

Tr 5mm
Centre line
of Tr

3.79 M 10.96 M
Lining transducer

Original position Existing Lining error

Lining error increased by Lining indicator
2.57mm (5+2.57 =7.57 mm)
 When front trolly is on wrong alignment
2.57mm

D
B C
2.57 mm

10 mm
Tr Error = FD/(BD/BC)

3.79 M 10.96 M
Lining transducer

Video
Original position Existing Lining error
Lining error increased by Lining indicator
2.57mm (5+2.57 =7.57 mm)
Slew amount

Video
 Measurement of Slews (FD)
on Straight Track

Approx. 80 - 300m
(IRTMM - 40m)
10m 10m 10m 10m 10m
5m

Good
Good
Slew Point
Point
DGPS system for Determination of Coordinates of bench Mark
Determination of Coordinates of Bench
Mark using Continuous Operating
Reference station (CORS)
 Trimble Survey Trolley for
Alignment Rectification
Two trollies – one with total station and other with Target (prism)

103
Trimble Trolley and Tamping Machine
Track Geometry Measurement by Total Station
Track Geometry Measurement by Total Station
Track center line measurement with total station in X, Y, Z
Track Geometry Measurement by Total Station
 3 Point Lining modes
on Straight Tracks

• Elementary/geometry mode
• H1 = 0
• FD not fed, Error reduces to 1/3

• Design mode
• H1 = 0
• Feed slews (FD ) in slew potentiometer
• Error is completely eliminated
 3 Point Lining Modes
Curved Track
• Elementary/Compensation method(Plasser)
On the basis of known (theoretical) track geometry
• Hx,Hy,Hz,Hw and H (and Hp & Hr) are fed in VPM
• Track tried to be brought to geometry fed (not to target
position) but error of front trolley is reflected.
• Not to be used as Residual Error = 1/3 rd of Original
• Design mode/Precision method(Plasser)
• Feed the slews (based on field survey)
• Hx,Hy,Hz,Hw and H (and Hp & Hr)values are fed in VPM
• Track brought to designed/target geometry and position
Best method
 ROLES OF P.Way official & Machine Operator
JE/SSE(P.Way)/Executive Civil
• Calculate and write FD value over sleeper with direction (For
Design Mode working)
• Give Radius of Curve (R) and Transition Length (L) detail to
Machine operator for calculating versine to be fed for
machine (H,Hx,Hy,Hz and H).
• Should write these H values on sleeper .
M/C Operator
• Machine operator should Calculate versine values (H,Hx,Hy,Hz
and H) and also feed these values in versine potentiometer
• Feed FD in slew potentiometer
 3 –point vs 4-point

• 3 –point
Can be used for both straight track as well a curve

• 4-point
Only for curves?
 3-Point Elementary
Vs
4-Point Smoothening mode
(When FD is not surveyed)
• Residual error in 4-Point lining < 3-Point lining (n4pt>n3pt)
• However in 4- point method, left over error at any station
could influence the track alignment at next station.
• Still it is better to use this method for smoothening of
curve, as it reduces the station-to-station versine
variation.
 3 Point Design
Vs
4 Point Design

• If the track is desired to be brought to the known position

and geometry using fixed references, 3- point lining in
deign mode should be followed (Best method of working).
• 4-Point lining in design mode should normally be used
only when it is intended to smoothen the curve and bring
it close to desired alignment.
 SUMMARY OF LINING
Mode of Working 4- point 3-point
Smoothening Only the Versine Only versine values -
mode modification values to be H = 0 (on straight) &
fed in Versine H,Hx,Hy,Hz and Hw
potentiometer (in (on curves)are to be
transition portion & M/c fed in Versine
length beyond it) potentiometer
Design Mode Both Versine Modification Both Versines and
& Slew Values Slew values

Used -Only for Curves Used both for

Straight & Curves
Smoothening mode → 4- point is better on curves
Design Mode → 4 –point may be used if ideal curve not possible to
achieve, else 3 –point
Straight track – Only 3 – point to be used
Thank You