Track Inspection Training

Rail Sciences offers a quality Track Inspection Training Seminar. This course includes classroom review and discussion of basic track structure followed by in-depth review of each track component and how those components interact to create a viable, productive roadway. Derailment scenarios related to track structure, wear, and defects are reviewed. The seminar also covers track geometry and FRA Standards. Track geometry measurement and calculation methods are reviewed in the classroom and then reinforced by actual hands-on training.

Track Inspection Seminar Outline

Track Structure
    General review of the inter-connection between the sub-grade, sub-ballast, ballast, ties, rail
and rail vehicle.

Rail
   Basic function and identification markings

Rail defects including:
Piped rail, vertical split head, web separation, rail end batter, wear porosity, spalling, shelling,
collapsed rail head

Tie Plates
    Basic function
    Plate cutting

Cross Ties
   Basic function
   Wide gage causes
   Wide gage derailments

Ballast
   Good ballast: Quality & Quantity
   Weak ballast shoulders
   Water pockets
   Fouled ballast

Spikes
   Good spikes: Quality and Quantity
   Purpose/function
   Spiking patterns

Rail Anchors
   Review basic function
   Review different types
   Proper anchoring procedures

Turnouts & Switch Points
   Broken points
   Gapped switch points
   Picked points
   Various issues involving switch points including derailments

Track Defects

Track Buckling
   Definitions
   Symptoms
   Prevention

Superelevation
  Issues with too much/too little superelevation
  Effect of superelevation on derailment potential
  Derailment case study

Rail Lubrication
   Effect of rail lubrication
   Proper rail lubrication

Track Measurements
   Review how to make proper track measurements:
      Superelevation
      Gage
      Alignment