Track Design - Plain Line and S&C

Course Aims

To provide Engineering, Technical and Project staff with a good understanding of track design so that they can use the knowledge learned during all parts of the track asset life cycle (e.g. renewal, maintenance, refurbishment and enhancement)

To provide candidates with a Track Design – Certificate of Competency when both modules are successfully completed.

Duration

Learning Objectives

• Improved knowledge of both plain line and switch and crossings
• Improved knowledge of how track design can impact on the degradation and wear patterns of railway track
• Greater understanding of the basic principles involved with plain line and switch and crossing design.
• Improved ability to identify where poor design is an issue that needs to be addressed during scoping for intervention works
• Greater knowledge of the relationship between horizontal and vertical track design, including best practice.
• Detailed knowledge of the sources of information that must be followed to achieve a track design. For example, relevant track standards and the different types of drawings that are used for design (e.g. REPW / Manufacturing and Construction)
• Improved understanding of how to check construction drawings against relevant geometrical requirements and design best practice.
• Greater understanding of how to evaluate track designs on a route for faster or heavier train
• Improved understanding of the interdependency track design has with other passing traffic or other infrastructure like OHLE and signalling.
• Better understanding of the use of computers in track design including a visit to a manufacture to see the manufacturing drawings being produced and how new S&C is built up from those drawings
• Greater understanding of the need to review existing track design and its impact on the asset condition as time elapses and rail traffic patterns alter
• Improved confidence in changing track designs where necessary to reduce degradation, overcome alignment faults and improve ride quality
• Improved understanding of track assemblies  and why its necessary to ensure assembly and component design is essential to maximise asset life

Pre Requisite Requirements

The following pre-requisites are required:
• Prior technical experience in working in the Permanent Way environment.
• A basic understanding of Track Re-alignment by the “Hallade” Method.
• Good mathematical skills.
• Be conversant with surveying methods and the use of surveying equipment.

PPE Requirements

This course requires the delegate to be on or near the running line and therefore, they MUST be in possession of:-
• Valid P.T.S. Card
• Protective “all orange” High Visibility Clothing to BS EN 471:2003
• Safety Footwear to BS EN ISO 20345:2004
• Safety Helmet (white/blue) to BS EN 397:1995
• General Purpose Gloves to BS EN388:2121
• Safety Glasses BS EN166 and of Optical Class 1 with Impact Resistance F

Certification

A Certificate of Training will be awarded on successful completion of this course. Certification has no expiry.