Q. Explain in details the various operations involved in Through Packing - conventional Maintenance by beater packing.

Explain the various operations as per the Permanent Way Manual for through packing.

Ans.-

Through Packing consists of following operations in sequence -

i. Opening of the road - Opening of ballast by shovel or Phawrah for Through Packing is 450 mm in side the track and up to end of sleeper on the out side and to a depth of 50 mm.

ii. Examination of rails, sleepers and fastenings - All rail and sleeper fittings are examined for fitness and good conditions and replaced as required.

iii. Squaring of sleepers - On base line sleepers to be spaced correctly and on the opposite rail to be squared with T square.

iv. Slewing - To be done as per the base rail as required.

v. Gauging - To be done as per the track depending on straight or degree of curvature.
following tolerances of gauge, provided generally uniform gauge can be maintained over long lengths:

a) On straight -6mm to +6mm

b) On overs with radius 350mm or more -6mm to +15mm

c) On curves with radius less than 350m up to +20mm

vi. Packing - Base rail to be packed for two rail lengths to bring longitudinal level by lifting sags packing and then cross checked by level instrument if necessary / possible.

vii. Re packing of joints - All joints and shoulder sleepers to be repacked and at other locations if any settlement and correction to cross level is to be done.

viii. Boxing of ballast - Ballast to be brought back by wire claws to correct profile and rammed for consolidation.