3. Sleepers
- Are members generally laid transverse to the rails.
- The rails are fixed to transfer the loads from the rails to the ballast and the subgrade.
Types
- Wooden Sleepers.
- Metal Sleepers.
- Concrete Sleepers.
4. Rails
- Are members of the track laid in two parallel lines.
- To provide on our continuous and land surface for the movement of trains.
-
Functions
- Provide a continuous and level surface.
- Provide a pathway which is smooth and less friction.
- Lateral guide for the wheels.
- Bear changes due to vertical loads etc.
- Transfer to formation through sleepers on wider area.
Types
(a) According to position of sleepers
- Supported joints
- Suspended joints
- Bridge joints
(b) According to position of joints
- Square joints
- Staggered joints