Arema Paper

More Effective Track Gauge Management by James C. Siano, Tiegear International

Maintenance of track gauge is a key to maximizing railroad capacity, operational safety and profitability. Mechanized detecting of track gauge defects in conjunction with GPS identifies defect location, provides the opportunity to do early corrective tie replacement of a few ties (1-7) thereby stopping the defect migrating to adjacent ties.

Currently practiced alternative options when wide gauge defects are detected.

1. Defer action until defects migrate, requiring replacement of a large number of ties which can be done with expensive mechanical equipment.

Issues:
Increase probability of derailment.
Train speed and capacity reduced.
Ties will ultimately be replaced to fix the gauge defects but at a much higher cost.

2. Using temporary treatments such as “gauge rods” or plugs and re-spiking ties.

Issues:
Requires labor and track time.
High probability of treatment failing with subsequent derailment.
This is a “band-aid” approach which ultimately requires higher cost of tie replacement.

3. Replace ties and achieve most effective correction of the gauge defect. CURRENTELY PRATICED OPTIONS ARE:

Man power and track tools. Constituting hard manual labor which is slow and at an elevated risk to personnel injury. Cost is prohibitive for any significant tie replacement.

Mechanized equipment including backhoe, truck, trailer and track tools which must be scheduled for track time transported and cannot go to all locations. This is an expensive option for early replacement of the critical corrective replacement for 1-7 ties which stops defect migration to adjacent ties.

THE NEW OPTION
To take maximum advantage of the mechanized early detection and GPS location of track gauge defects, a small portable tie changer (TC-2000 by Tiegear International) has been developed demonstrated together with short lines and railroad maintenance contractors. The tie changer is designed for use changing up to 20 ties and is an optimum choice to change the critical 1-7 ties which stops defect migration to adjacent ties.

On the first visual inspection of reported gauge defects of 1-7 ties, the ties can be replaced immediately and safely in less than a half a day by two men using the TC-2000 along with a boom for handling ties and track tools.

No track time is required.
Faster, safer, easier and lower cost than manual tie changing.
TC-2000 is compact, portable and durable.

Conclusion

To take maximum advantage of the faster and better ways railroads detect and locate wide gauge defects.  “On the spot” tie replacement is required. Using the correct mechanized equipment is over kill and requires scheduling and track time. The TC-2000 portable tie changer is the idea tool for “on the spot” correction of wide gauge; it’s a more economical, safer, and an easier way to assure that the rail system will be able to perform at its optimum efficiency.

James Siano – 302-427-9257 - http://www.tiegear.com