Work technology

Finalization of the track- Final work

Once the renewal work has been completed, the line must be prepared for operation at standard speed again. A perfect ballast bed and the perfect track geometry are essential for safe, sustainable operations. This allows the track to meet the increasing demands of higher operational loads and a longer service life. It must also counteract higher rail stresses as a result of increased extreme weather conditions.

However, there is still some work to be done before the track can be opened:

Cutting the old rails
Loading and removing them
Using a ballast train to top off the ballast
Creating the final track geometry (level and alignment) and the ballast profile with an MDZ mechanized track maintenance train (tamping machine, ballast profiling machine, Dynamic Track Stabilizer)
Installing and testing all operating equipment removed at the start of construction
Starting up the contact line system

Restore CWR track

After tamping, the new rails are welded with a flash-butt welding machine (e.g. with machines from the Plasser FlashWelder series). The rail sections are welded very quickly and precisely to the planned rail length, e.g. from 360 m to 720 m.

For continuous welded rail track which takes the correct tensioning temperature of the rails into account, closure welding is still necessary:

Loosen the rail fastenings for tension compensation
Heat or pull out the new rails
Welding or closure welding
Grind the weld

Back in business with proven quality

The track is then measured with a track inspection vehicle. Some of the measuring tasks are already integrated into the track renewal machines and the MDZ. In addition, a DRP can be used for post-measuring and recording. A measurement record is created and given to the infrastructure manager. This serves as the basis for reopening the track section.

If the track is electrified, the overhead contact line is checked and, if necessary, readjusted to match the new track geometry.

Once all the work has been completed, the quality checks have been carried out, and the track has been accepted in accordance with the rules of the relevant railway administration, the track can be used immediately at full speed.

The path to the final track including follow-up work

1

Track before renewal

2

Track after renewal with new sleepers and rails

3

Place ballast in the newly laid track

4

Compact the ballast layer by layer and create the final track geometry (level and alignment) and the ballast profile with an MDZ mechanized track maintenance train (tamping machine, ballast profiling machine, Dynamic Track Stabilizer)