Page 9 - August 2022 Track N Times

INTERNATIONAL NEWS—INDIA

Continued

In addition, the test site should be easily accessible by road, so that one is not reliant on trains or trolleys to reach
the sites in a timely manner. Also, the data collection from the test site should be done 10 days prior performing

grinding operation and within 10 days post grinding operation. It is essential for proper analysis that the rail should
not be replaced in the near future, perhaps within next 3-4 years, to allow a lengthier study on the effects of rail

grinding. The test site should be away from weld/fish-plated joints, signal sites, level crossings, yards, bridge ap-
proaches and other potentially hazardous areas. To the extent practical, the history of defects, failures and rail sur-
face damage should be established at test sites.

The rail for SRGM test site should be painted on non-gauge face once the test site is established. All four sleepers
(Figure 1) should be painted in yellow for one site with each surface photograph, dye penetration test and MiniProf
with a specific position marked as “W” for the point allocated for the MiniProf reading (Figure 2). This information

should be stored in a proper manner duly vetted by the senior personnel from IR as key decisions on the Rail
Grinding Program would be made using this information.

Precautions While Establishing a Test Site
While selecting the turnout for creation of a test site,

the following precautions should be taken:
 Turnouts should be a mix of both new and old in
a reasonable state of repair not near the end of their

service life.
 Turnout should be in normal running line.

 Ensure 4 turnouts are selected per size of 1:8.5,
1:12 and 1:16.
Figure 2 Collection of MiniProf Reading  At least 1 turnout per size should be from railway

lines of maximum annual tonnage / year.
 At the time these 12 test sites are established the following information should be collected.

• Location (line, division, track, KM etc)
• Turnout Size (either 1:8.5, 1:12 or 1:16)
• Rail Manufacturer

• Rail Chemistry
• Rail Size

Page 7 AUGUST 2022