GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

Minutes

84th Meeting
Track Standards Committee

24th – 26th October, 2013

Shimla

RESEARCH DESIGNS & STANDARDS ORGANISATION

LUCKNOW - 226011
 84TH MEETING OF THE TRACK STANDARDS COMMITTEE-OCTOBER-2013

INDEX- I

LIST OF AGENDA ITEMS

S.N Item Item Item Proposed by Page No.

No.
1 1243 Tolerance for alignment on lead curve and turn IRICEN /Pune and 11
in curve on turnouts S Railway
2 1244 Continuation of LWR/CWR on Sharp Curves R.D.S.O 12-13
and Steep Gradients
3 1245 Standardisation of Design/Drawing of R.D.S.O. and 14
Ballastless Track & washable aprons W. Railway
4 1246 Sensitivity setting of 700 Probes. IRICEN/ Pune 15

5 1247 Increasing cant deficiency on Broad gauge R.D.S.O 16

Track of Indian Railways.
6 1248 Revision of specification of Fish plate (IRS/T- R.D.S.O 17
1-2012 Provisional).
7 1249 Issued related to Improved SEJ : Measurement NC Railway and 18
of gaps C Railway
8 1250 Review of working system of inspection and WR/NCR/WCR/ 19-20
maintenance of P-way and consequently the NER/SER/NR
provisions regarding duties of Permanent way
supervisors in Indian Railway Permanent Way
Manual and other Manuals in view of merger
of Sr. PWS with JE/P-way
9 1251 Frequency of USFD testing of Conventional NE Railway 21
AT Welds.
10 1252 USFD testing frequency for loop lines and SC Railway 22
turnouts
11 1253 Review of provisions of IRPWM regarding R. B 23-24
lubrication of gauge face of rails on curves:
Use of track based lubricators (Electronic and
Hydraulic type).
12 1254 Provision of the improved SEJs in lieu of 120 NC Railway 25
mm/190 mm conventional SEJs at the far end
approach of the bridge, as given in Para 4.5.7.1
(IV) of LWR manual.
13 1255 Track readings as per accident manual Para SC Railway 26
504.2.
14 1256 Review of S&T fixtures / installations provided NC Railway 27-28
over track and requirement of dedicated S&T
Gang with supervisor for proper mechanized
maintenance of track.
15 1257 Review of Duties of Keyman. NER/ER/ SCR 29
16 1258 Replacement of pre-fabricated Glued Joints by W Railway 30
in-situ Glued Joints and use of Tailor made
panels by Flash Butt Welding of Glued Joints
in 20 rail panels for TRR in yards.
17 1259 Ballasting by ballast hopper wagons C Railway 31

18 1260 Running out gauge at P&C at the rate of 1 mm S Railway 32

in 3 m (IRPWM Para 237 (8) (b))
S.N Item Item Item Proposed by Page No.
No.
19 1261 Replacement of flare signals by red flashing NE Railway 33
hand signal lamp.
20 1262 Drilling of holes in Rails by OHE and S&T S Railway 34-35
departments and Tack welding of signal bond
wires to the Rails for Track circuiting by S&T
department
21 1263 Marking of Defective Weld detected during NF Railway 36
initial Acceptance Test
22 1264 Maintenance & Verification of land boundaries NE Railway 37
by SSE/P- Way.
23 1265 Classification of Level crossings E C Railway 38
24 1266 Provision of joggled fish plates on AT welds W Railway 39
25 1267 Review of Restructuring / Reorganization of NCR/ WCR 40-41
staffing pattern on Trackman on IR and consequent
review to provisions of IRPWM and other Manuals

26 1269 Safety at work sites: Track Works requiring traffic N Railway 42

block

27 1268 Review of pending items As per Index-II 43-96

2
 84TH MEETING OF THE TRACK STANDARDS COMMITTEE-OCTOBER-2013

INDEX- II

LIST OF PENDING ITEMS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS

SN Brief description of item Reference Page

No.
1. Review of accident proforma for measurement of (958/73/02/CT/Safety) 43
rolling stock. (1238/1/83)
2. LWR/CWR over ballasted deck bridges. (Provision (982/7th Ext./02) 44
of LWR with SEJ on pier to pier, continuation of (1238/2/83)
LWR on bridges, development of code of practice
similar to UIC code 774-3R. Trials of continuation
of LWR with multi span bridges with/without
ballasted deck.).
3. Modification in design of combination fish plate (1015/74/CT/FF) 45
(1238/3/83)
4. Machine maintenance of track (1073/76/TM/GL/70) 46
(1238/4/83)
5. Non-destructive stress free temperature (1077/76/CT/IM/LWR/ 47
measurement of CWR by force application method RSM) (1238/5/83)
6. Criteria for re-alignment of curve (1055/75/CT/IRPWM) 48
(1238/8/83)
7. Corrosion on rails at contact points of liners (1102/78/CT/ACP/RP) 49-50
resulting into fractures (1238/10/83)
8. Standard deviation based track maintenance (1124/79/TM/GL) 51
standards for 130Kmph to 160Kmph and spot (1238/11/83)
values for 140Kmph to 160 Kmph.
9. Issues pertaining to improvement in A.T welding. (1133/79/CT/WELDING/ 52
POLICY) (1238/13/83)
10. Trial of different fastening components on Indian (1160/80/ CT/EF/TRIAL) 53
Railways. (1238/19/83)
11. Inspection and maintenance of points and crossings (1161/80/ CT/PTX) 54
(1238/20/83)
12. Increase in top formation width. (1163/80/ GE/Gen/ 55
TSC/13) (1238/21/83)
13. Maintenance tolerance of gauge (1168/80/ CT/IRPWM) 56
(1238/23/83)
14. Gauge at toe of points & crossing (1171/81/CT/PTX/Polic 57
y) (1238/24/83)
15. SEJs for curves up to 4 Degree (1172/81/CT/PTX) 58
(1238/25/83)
16. Revision of Specification and fixing life cycle for (1174/81/CT/GJ) 59
avoiding frequent failure of glued joints. (1238/26/83))
17. (i) Experience of tamping based on TM 115 (1176/81/TMM) 60
(ii) Experience on Tamping based on TM – 115 (1238/27/83)
(iii) TM-115 report has not been implemented on
Northern Railway

3
SN Brief description of item Reference Page No

18. Anomalies in IRPWM & LWR Manual (1177/81/CT/IRPWM 61

& CT/IM/LWR)
(1238/28/83)
19. Standards of track maintenance to C&M-(Vol.1) (1179/81/CT/DG/Resea 62
rch) (1238/29/83)
20. Trial policy for track items (1188/81/CT/Policy) 63
(1238/31/83)
21. Need of Combination of Joints (1192/82/CT/USFD) 64
(1238/34/83)
22. Cracks in CMS crossing (1194/82/CT/XH/ 65
Monitor) (1238/35/83)
23. Discrepancies in ‘IRPWM’ & Manual of (1195/82/CT/IM/ 66
instructions on ‘Long Welded Rails’ regarding LWR) (1238/36/83)
minimum sleeper density
24. Check rail in level crossing (1196/82/CT/SRC/3/2/ 67
L-Xing) (1238/37/83)
25. Gauge of Points and Crossing Sleepers in turn out (1203/82/CT/PTX) 68
portion (1238/42/83)
26. Use of GFN liners in place of Metal liners (1205/82/CT/FD/2/ 69
NIL) (1238/43/83)
27. Revision of Flash Butt Welding Manual (1209/82/CT/USFD) 70
(1238/45/83)
28. Beat of cold weather patrolman and hot weather (1210/82/CT/IM/LWR) 71
Patrolman. (1238/46/83)
29. Outsourcing of track maintenance (1212/82/CT/IRPWM) 72
(1238/47/83)
30. Review of the IRPWM para 410 (2). (1213/82/CT/PTX) 73
(1238/48/83)
31. Review of Para no-302 (a) of IRPWM. (1214/83/CT/USFD) 74

32. Procurement of half set of over-riding switches for (1215/83/CT/PTX) 75

need based replacement of damaged / worn-out
tongue rail with corresponding stock rail instead of
complete switch renewal.

33. Issues related to compliance to C&M-1 standards (1216/83/CT/DG/Resea 76-77

for maintenance of track for permitting speed rch & CT/Track
beyond 105 kmph. maintenance standard)
34. Incorporation of provision of Channel sleepers in (1219/83/CT/JE) 78
IRPWM & fixing of codal life of channel sleepers.
35. Track centre for the multiple line (New (1220/83/CT/SD/REV/ 79
construction) say 3rd line, 4th line. BG/MG)

36. Change in colour of speed breakers in working sign (1221/83/CT/EL) 80

board from yellow to black.
37. Revision/Modification in the standard width of RCC (1222/83/TM/GL/70) 81
slab over openings.

4
SN Brief description of item Reference Page No

38. Clarification on the items of USFD Manual, 2012. (1223/83/CT/USFD) 82

39. Problems in USFD testing by digital double rail (1224/83/CT/ USFD) 83
testers
40. Rail flange clearance in track circuited area (1227/83/CT/ IRPWM) 84
41. Difficulty in measurement of Worn/damaged (1228/83/CT/PTX) 85
Tongue rails.
42. Difference in prescribed limits for track gauge in (1229/83/CT/PTX) 86
IRPWM and SOD.
43. Schedule of frequency for inspection of curves (1230/83/CT/IRPWM) 87
located on loop lines.
44. Dispensing the requirement of issue of competency (1231/83/CT/IM/LWR) 88
certificate for LWR as per Para 9.2.2 of LWR
Manual 1996.
45. Correction of 12 detonators as 10 detonators in (1232/83/CT/EL) 89
different Para of IRPWM.
46. Inclusion of banner flag in the list of equipments at (1233/83/CT/EL) 90
level crossings
47. Revision in rail seat slope tolerances from 1 in 20 ± (1234/83/CT/SRC/3/2) 91
0.25 to 1 in 20 ± 1
48. Classification and standard specification of level (1235/83/CT/EL) 92
crossings – Normal position level crossings gates.
49. Modification of GRSP & Liner (1237/83/CT/EF/TSC) 93

50. Performance of Heat treated Welded crossings (1240/83/CT/PTX/NT) 94

51. Standardization of spacing of 3rd & 4th sleeper of (1241/83/CT/PTX) 95
PSC Turnout to suit all type of electric point motor
of S&T and standardization of gap between “D”
bracket for point machine and MS bracket for
leading stretcher bar.
52. Installation of WILD and Weigh Bridges on routes (1242/83/CT/Study/whee 96
with (CC+8+2t) operations l flat)

5
 84TH MEETING OF THE TRACK STANDARDS COMMITTEE-OCTOBER-2013

INTRODUCTION

1. The 84th Meeting of Track Standards Committee was held at Shimla from 24th to 26th
October, 2013. The committee constituted of Director/IRICEN/Pune, Chief Track Engineers
of all Sixteen Zonal Railways, ED/TMM/RDSO, ED/GE/RDSO, ED/Track-II/RDSO and
ED/Track-I/RDSO (Member Secretary).

The meeting was attended by all the members of the Track Standards Committee except
ED/GE/RDSO, who was represented by Director/GE/RDSO.

Shri Pradeep Kumar, Additional Member/ Civil Engineering, Railway Board and Shri
Surender Pal, ED/CE/P Railway Board attended the meeting for all the three days. The
other Executive Directors from Railway Board also attended the meeting as observers as
under:
(a) Shri Alok Kumar, ED/CE/G on 24th & 25th Oct.
(b) Shri A.K. Lahoti, ED/Tk/MC on 25th & 26th Oct.
(c) Shri S.S. Gupta, ED/TK (P) on 25th & 26th Oct.
(d) Shri R.N. Singh, ED/Tk/Mod on 25th Oct.
(e) Shri K.K.Agrawal, ED/WP on 25th Oct.
(f) Shri S.K.Pathak, ED/B&S-II on 26th Oct.

Representative of DFCCIL also attended the meeting as observer.

Director/IRICEN/Pune was entrusted with the responsibility to chair the 84th Meeting of the
TSC.

2. Shri Subodh Jain, Member Engineering, Railway Board addressed the committee on 25 th
Oct. 2013 and attended some sessions on 25th and 26th October 2013 providing valuable
guidance on some of the vital issues.

3. The meeting commenced with the welcome address by CTE/Northern Railway Shri Visvesh
Choubey. While welcoming the participants, he expressed that the agenda items will be
deliberated in three days and fruitful discussions will take place during course of meeting.

4. Executive Director/Track-I/RDSO and Member Secretary/TSC, Sh. Satish Kumar Pandey,

also welcomed the participants. During introductory address, brief historical resume of TSC
and some of the important items to be discussed during the course of Meeting were
highlighted by him.

5. In his opening address, Director IRICEN, Pune Shri C.P. Tayal welcomed all participants
and officers from Railway Board and RDSO. He informed the members about salient issues
of second phase of Modernisation of Track such as Continuation of LWR at all possible

6
 locations, improvement on fastening systems etc. It was pointed out that due to merger of
grades during Sixth Pay Commission and subsequent restructuring, the aberrations have
crept in the command structure, which need to be suitably addressed. The agenda items
proposed by number of Railways highlight this aspect, which will be deliberated during
meeting. He also mentioned that decisions taken during earlier meetings of TSC have
resulted in significant improvement in Track structure and maintenance practices.

6. The Inaugural session was held on 25th October, during which Shri Subodh Jain, Member
Engineering and Shri Pradeep Kumar, Additional Member/ Civil Engineering, Railway
Board, addressed the committee. Shri A.K. Kathpal, DRM/Ambala also attended the
Inaugural session.

6.1 The session started with welcome address by Member secretary/TSC and ED/Track-
1/RDSO. During introductory address, the historical resume of Track standards committee
was given. The summary of deliberations held during meeting was also briefed to Member
Engineering for his information and valuable guidance.

6.2 Chairman/TSC and Director/IRICEN/Pune stated that under valuable guidance of Member
Engineering, the second phase of modernization of track has been envisaged. The technical
inputs provided by ME have resulted in number of improvements on Track. The
deliberations and decisions taken during meeting are in line with the broad outlines for
second Phase of Modernization and will go a long way in improving the track standards and
maintenance on Indian Railways.

6.3 Additional Member/ Civil Engineering, Railway Board said that the Track Standards
committee is the august body responsible for setting up of Track Standards. It is heartening
to note that several items, on which Member Engineering has laid emphasis, have been
deliberated by committee and significant headway has been made. The report of committee
on Second Phase of Modernization will be coming soon, which will provide impetus for
further improvements in track standards.

6.4 A SOUVENIR brought out by IPWE (I), Northern Railway chapter on the occasion of 84 th
meeting of Track standards committee was released by Member Engineering.

6.5 Track Design directorate of RDSO, in its effort for e-documentation, brought out a CD
containing TSC proceedings from 45th TSC to 83rd TSC. This CD was released by Member
Engineering. The effort of RDSO in compiling the valuable treasure was appreciated by ME
and other distinguished dignitaries.

7. Member Engineering, Shri Subodh Jain, in his inaugural address mentioned that he has been
privileged to be part of three meetings of Track Standards committee as CTE. He
emphasised on the following:

7
7.1 Track Standards committee is the unique forum. There is no forum of similar proportion
either in other departments of Indian Railways or in any other world Railway. This is a
platform for interaction and sharing of ides between field represented by CTEs and RDSO,
where final decision making body viz. Railway Board is also present as observer.

7.2 Chief Track Engineers are responsible for bringing the field problems faced by P-way
supervisors to this forum. Unless, the field problems are properly discussed and solutions are
given, no significant improvement can be made.

7.3 The gravity and sanctity of committee shall be ensured and no dilution should be permitted.
TSC should concentrate on serious business. The interaction with industry is important for
development, but this is not the forum to market the product. There are other forums, where
industry presentations can be better appreciated. As such, during TSC, only solicited
presentations shall be organised on items covered under agenda or on issues, where railways
is seized with problem.

7.4 Number of agenda items shall be reduced, so that extensive discussions and deliberations are
possible.

7.5 RDSO deserves appreciations as it has done commendable work in bringing out the Design
of Ballatless Track with indigenous fastening system and studies for continuation of LWR
on sharp curves & steep Gradients in very short time. We should be proud of our
organisation standing to test of time and delivering solution to problem promptly with
forward looking attitude.

7.6 The continuation of LWR through all location shall be mission on PSC sleeper Track for
reduced maintenance effort and improved riding. This is also a prerequisite for various
diagnostic aids such as UBRD, vehicular USFD etc. The new Railway Track has been
contemplated in hilly terrain, where gradients upto 1 in 80 and curves upto 5-6 degree
curvature will be there. It is incumbent that new track is laid with LWR. If LWR is
permitted on grades upto 1 in 80 and curves up to 6 degrees, this will solve majority of
problems. As such, our effort shall be in this regard.

7.7 There is need to fine tune the policy of Rail Grinding and Rail Lubrication. There are varied
views of experts. Detailed studies shall be done to put in position for cost effective policy
about Lubrication & Grinding.

7.8 We look forward for in depth, good and forward looking deliberations during TSC, which
will go a long way in improving the infrastructure on Indian Railways.

8
8. The meeting of the committee was structured in eight technical sessions, during which 26
new items and 52 pending items carried forward from earlier TSC meetings were deliberated
upon.

9. During the meeting, six presentations were made by Industry members on relevant topics as
under:

.1 M/s Speed Craft & Phooltas Tampers:

Mechanized Track laying with welded rail panels
.2 M/s Star Track Fasteners:
Modern Technology for USFD, Track Geometry & Geo Radar System
.3 M/s PCMS Infrastructure Co. Pvt. Limited:
High Speed Rail Grinding
.4 M/s RAILONE:
Rail one Design of Washable aprons at Railway Platforms
.5 M/s Henkel Adhesives Technologies India Pvt. Limited.:
Henkel’s Reliable Solution for Railway Track
.6 M/s ALCOA:
In Situ BENKLER Insulated Joints

10. The committee specially acknowledges the assistance rendered by following officers from
RDSO for their valuable contribution during the 84th meeting of the Track Standards
Committee:

(i) Shri Sanjay Sahu, Director/Track-I

(ii) Shri Ajay Kumar Director/Track-II
(iii) Shri Alok Mishra, Director/Track-III
(iv) Shri Pranav Kumar, Director/Track-IV
(v) Shri Rajiv Kumar, Director/Track-V
(vi) Shri A.K. Ojha, Jt.Director/TMM
(vii) Shri A.M.Rijvi, Director/GE

11. During the concluding session it was decided that the next meeting of Track Standards
Committee will be hosted by Southern Railway and location will be decided and advised by
Southern Railway.

12. The committee would like to place on record their gratitude and appreciation for CTE/NR
and his team of officers and staff for the excellent arrangements made and the hospitality
extended to all the participants of 84th meeting of Track Standards Committee.

9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96