How To Replace Concrete Railway Sleepers

Over time, concrete railway sleepers may experience faults that can affect their performance. When this occurs, replacement is necessary. If you're unsure about the replacement process, there's no need to worry. We GNEE rail has provided clear instructions on the proper replacement procedure, so please take a moment to read through them carefully. 

1. Track Cloure

The section of track where the sleepers will be replaced should be closed for 180 minutes.

Before the closure, workers must not begin work ahead of schedule.

All work must adhere to the relevant construction standards and technical guidelines.

2. Preparation

Once the track is blocked, workers can begin by removing the ballast beneath the concrete sleepers.

The fasteners should be loosened, and the old sleepers removed.

3. First Step

Clear the ballast from beneath the two adjacent sleepers to a depth of about 10 cm below the bottom of the sleepers.

4. Second Step

Loosen the fasteners and pull out the old sleepers.

5. Installing the New Sleeper

Remove any excess ballast from beneath the new sleeper.

Slide the new sleeper into place under the rails, ensuring it is properly aligned.

Tighten the fasteners and remove the jack.

6. Securing and Adjusting

Use a socket wrench to tighten the fasteners.

Add ballast around the new sleeper to stabilize it.

7. Repeating the Process

After completing one section, repeat the process for the next cycle.

8. Final Adjustment

Once all sleepers have been replaced in the section, perform track lifting, alignment, and tamping to ensure the track is level and secure.

Tamping should be done using both single and multi-tamping machines.

9. Continuous Replacement Method

During the replacement of concrete sleepers, a continuous replacement method should be used, replacing no more than two sleepers at a time.

In each closure section, a total of 36 sleepers will be replaced.

This approach ensures effective maintenance while fully guaranteeing the safe operation of trains.

10. Inspection and Quality Check

After installing the concrete sleepers, safety and quality inspectors will verify the track's horizontal alignment, the tightness of the fasteners, and the tamping quality.

Each aspect will be carefully checked.

Only after confirming there are no safety or quality issues can the track closure be lifted and the line reopened.

After reopening, a dedicated team will be assigned to inspect and maintain the track