The Practical Guide to Railway Engineering, 2nd edition, 2003

Question 1

What are the components of the track structure from top to bottom?

Answer 1

Rail
Tie Plate
Ties, Ballast
Subballast
Subgrade

Question 2

When and where was the first U.S. track put into service?

Answer 2

In 1830, on what became the Baltimore and Ohio Railway.

Question 3

What is the purpose of the rail?

Answer 3

Transfer weight to cross ties, provide smooth running surface, guide wheel flanges.

Question 4

What is the largest rail commonly used today?

Answer 4

136 lb

Question 5

What is stamped on the web of the rail?

Answer 5

Rail’s weight
section
and other info as raised characters.

Question 6

What do rail section codes represent?

Answer 6

The shape and engineering group standards for that section.

Question 7

What weight of rail is generally not used in new construction?

Answer 7

Smaller than 90 lb.

Question 8

When should welded rail be specified?

Answer 8

Whenever possible to reduce maintenance.

Question 9

In what lengths is new rail rolled?

Answer 9

39 or 80 feet.

Question 10

How long can welded strings be?

Answer 10

Up to 1600 feet.

Question 11

What are ties made from?

Answer 11

Timber, Concrete, Steel, or Alternative materials.

Question 12

What is the purpose of a tie?

Answer 12

To cushion and transmit load and maintain gauge.

Question 13

What dimensions are timber ties typically graded in?

Answer 13

6”x8”, 7”x9”, 8”x8”.

Question 14

What is the weight of a concrete crosstie?

Answer 14

About 600 lbs.

Question 15

What does the concrete tie pad do?

Answer 15

Cushions, absorbs load, and helps fasten rail.

Question 16

What are switch ties typically made of?

Answer 16

Hardwood species.

Question 17

Where are softwood ties typically used?

Answer 17

Open deck bridges.

Question 18

What is installed with concrete ties to isolate them?

Answer 18

An insulator between rail base and plate shoulder.

Question 19

What is the purpose of the ballast section?

Answer 19

Anchor the track and resist movement.

Question 20

What are ideal qualities of ballast?

Answer 20

Hardness, toughness, durability, cleanability, and shape.

Question 21

What is the recommended ballast depth?

Answer 21

18 to 24 inches.

Question 22

How far should ballast extend on high side of curves?

Answer 22

10 to 12 inches beyond the tie ends.

Question 23

What is the weakest part of the track structure?

Answer 23

The rail joint.

Question 24

What are the three basic types of rail joints?

Answer 24

Standard, Compromise, Insulated.

Question 25

What do standard joint bars connect?

Answer 25

Two rails of the same weight and section.

Question 26

What do compromise joints connect?

Answer 26

Rails of different weights or sections.

Question 27

What do insulated joints prevent?

Answer 27

Electrical current from flowing between adjoining rails.

Question 28

What is the purpose of a tie plate?

Answer 28

Provide smooth bearing surface and maintain gauge.

Question 29

When are single shoulder plates used?

Answer 29

Rail weights from 56 to 100 lbs.

Question 30

When are double shoulder plates used?

Answer 30

Rail sections larger than 100 lbs.

Question 31

What shortens tie life under today's loading?

Answer 31

Spiking the rail directly to the tie.

Question 32

What is the purpose of rail anchors?

Answer 32

Control longitudinal movement due to temp, grades, or braking.

Question 33

What is the purpose of a track spike?

Answer 33

Maintain gauge and secure rail to tie.

Question 34

What are common track spike sizes?

Answer 34

5/8" x 6" and 9/16" x 5-1/2".

Question 35

What is the purpose of a derail?

Answer 35

Keep tracks free of unsecured rolling stock.

Question 36

What does a wheel stop prevent?

Answer 36

Rail cars rolling off stub tracks.

Question 37

What is a gauge rod used for?

Answer 37

Maintain track gauge.

Question 38

What is the purpose of a sliding joint?

Answer 38

Accommodate rail expansion/contraction on bridges.

Question 39

What do mitre rails allow?

Answer 39

Easy opening of track at drawbridges.

Question 40

What do bridge/tunnel guard rails prevent?

Answer 40

Derailed equipment from falling off bridges or hitting structures.

Question 41

What is a turnout?

Answer 41

Combination of switch and frog that lets trains move between tracks.

Question 42

What is a switch?

Answer 42

Device that deflects train wheels from one track to another.

Question 43

What is the most common switch?

Answer 43

Split switch.

Question 44

What is a frog?

Answer 44

Device at rail intersection that lets wheels cross another rail.

Question 45

What is RBM used for?

Answer 45

Mainlines due to durability.

Question 46

What does a spring frog provide?

Answer 46

Continuous wheel support.

Question 47

What is the purpose of SMSG frogs?

Answer 47

Prevent mis-routing in yards.

Question 48

Why are SMSG frogs limited to yards?

Answer 48

Guarding face suffers at high speeds.

Question 49

What are bolted rigid frogs made of?

Answer 49

Machined rail bolted together.

Question 50

Where are movable point frogs used?

Answer 50

Where angle between tracks is less than 14° 15'.

Question 51

What determines crossing material type?

Answer 51

Amount of vehicular traffic.

Question 52

What ties should be used in crossing rebuilds?

Answer 52

7"x9" ties, 20 ft beyond ends of crossing.

Question 53

How far should fouled ballast be removed?

Answer 53

At least 20 ft from crossing ends.

Question 54

What is the recommended max elevation difference at 30 ft?

Answer 54

No more than 3" higher or 6" lower than top of rail.

Question 55

What is standard track gage width?

Answer 55

56-1/2"

Question 56

What is the max gage for train operation per FRA?

Answer 56

1-3/4"

Question 57

What is alignment?

Answer 57

Distance offset measured with a 62' string.

Question 58

What does surface describe?

Answer 58

Vertical profile including runoff and twist.

Question 59

What does 'in the foul' mean per FRA?

Answer 59

Within 4 feet of track or within equipment envelope.

Question 60

What is the blue flag rule?

Answer 60

Personnel protection for those on or around rail equipment.

Question 61

Can blue-flagged equipment be moved?

Answer 61

No, unless flag placer removes it and it's clear.

Question 62

What is the superstructure of a bridge?

Answer 62

Part that supports/conveys live load to substructure.

Question 63

What is the bridge deck?

Answer 63

Part of bridge carrying track rails.

Question 64

What are two deck choices?

Answer 64

Open deck and ballasted deck.

Question 65

What is the benefit of open decks?

Answer 65

Less costly, free draining.

Question 66

Why use ballast decks?

Answer 66

Better ride, protects floor system, protects vehicles from ballast.