Colin Snow
Railway sleepers, also known as railroad ties or crossties, are rectangular supports for rails in railroad tracks. They are laid perpendicular to the rails and are essential for maintaining the correct spacing between the tracks. Sleepers are made from a variety of materials, including wood, steel, concrete, and plastic composites. They are designed to absorb shocks and vibrations, ensuring a smooth and comfortable journey for passengers. Railway sleepers have been in use for over a hundred years, with the first concrete sleeper experiment conducted in Germany in 1906.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Function | To support the rails and keep them spaced to the correct gauge |
| Types | Steel, cast iron, wooden, concrete, plastic composite, fiberglass |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Orientation | Laid perpendicular to the rails |
| Weight | 104-125 kg (composite sleeper); 2.59 m long, 254 mm wide, 127 mm deep (wooden sleeper) |
| Maintenance | Steel sleepers require high maintenance; wooden sleepers are less durable and more expensive to source |
| Usage | Steel sleepers are common in the UK and suitable for heavy loads; concrete sleepers are widely used in Europe and Asia, especially on high-speed lines; wooden sleepers are popular in India |
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What You'll Learn
- Railway sleepers are rectangular supports laid between two rail tracks to maintain correct gauge
- They are also called railroad ties, crossties, or railway ties
- Steel, cast iron, wood, and concrete are the four types of rail sleepers
- Concrete sleepers are widely used in Europe and Asia, and steel ties are common in the UK
- Railway sleepers are now made from recyclable materials such as waste tires, waste plastics, and waste paint
Railway sleepers are rectangular supports laid between two rail tracks to maintain correct gauge
Railway sleepers, also known as railroad ties or crossties, are rectangular supports laid between two rail tracks to maintain the correct gauge. They are an essential component of railways, ensuring the rails are held upright and spaced correctly. The development of railway sleepers has progressed over the last century, with different materials being used to meet the varying requirements of different tracks.
Initially, railway sleepers were typically made of wood, particularly softwoods and some hardwoods such as oak, jarrah, and karri. However, wooden sleepers have become increasingly difficult and expensive to source due to the large quantities and high quality needed. They are also susceptible to insect damage and decay over time. As a result, alternative materials have been explored.
Steel sleepers were introduced with the development of steel tracks. Steel can handle heavy loads and is suitable for different rail track specifications. However, steel is prone to chemical damage and requires high maintenance. Cast iron sleepers are widely used, especially in Indian railways, and offer a long service life of up to 60 years.
Concrete sleepers, first experimented with in Germany in 1906, are now widely used, particularly in Europe and Asia. They are more durable and have a longer service life than wooden sleepers, requiring less maintenance. Concrete sleepers are also cheaper and easier to obtain. In the UK, pre-stressed concrete ties are mandated for the highest line categories by Network Rail standards.
Composite railway sleepers made from recyclable materials such as waste tires, waste plastics, and waste paint offer environmental benefits and are gaining popularity. They reduce vibration, resulting in a more stable and quieter train journey with less wear and tear. Additionally, 80% of composite sleeper materials can be recycled and reused, making them a sustainable choice.
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They are also called railroad ties, crossties, or railway ties
Railway sleepers, also called railroad ties, crossties, or railway ties, are rectangular supports laid between two rail tracks. They are an important component of railways, helping to keep the rails upright and
The term "crosstie" specifically refers to the spacing between railroad ties, which is approximately 19 to 19.5 inches (48 to 50 cm) for wooden ties and 24 inches (61 cm) for concrete ties. Crossties are traditionally made of wood, with softwood being treated with preservatives such as creosote, pentachlorophenol, or chromated copper arsenate. However, wooden crossties can be susceptible to rot, insect infestation, and fire due to cracks that develop over time.
In North America, wooden ties, particularly pressure-treated wooden crossties, remain the most common type, with a market share of 91.5% as of January 2008. Steel ties, which are common in the UK, have suffered from poor design and increased traffic loads in the past, but modern steel ties can handle heavy loads and are more economical to install than wooden or concrete ties.
Concrete ties, made of prestressed concrete, are widely used in Europe and Asia. They are cheaper and easier to obtain than wooden ties and require less maintenance due to their greater weight, which helps them remain in the correct position longer. Plastic composite ties are also employed in rail track transportation but to a far lesser extent than wood or concrete.
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Steel, cast iron, wood, and concrete are the four types of rail sleepers
Railway sleepers, also called railroad ties or crossties, are an important component of railways. They are laid between two rail tracks to maintain the correct gauge. Over the years, railway sleepers have been made from a variety of materials, including stone, wood, steel, cast iron, and concrete. The four most common types of modern railway sleepers are steel, cast iron, wood, and concrete.
Steel sleepers are designed to handle heavy loads and can be customized for different rail track specifications. Steel sleepers are more durable and stronger than wooden sleepers, and they weigh the same as timber. However, steel is susceptible to chemical damage and requires high maintenance. Steel sleepers are also not compatible with all types of ballast.
Cast iron sleepers are widely used, especially in Indian railways. They come in two types: pot type and plate type. Pot-type cast iron sleepers cannot be used for curves sharper than 4 degrees. Cast iron sleepers have a long service life of up to 60 years, and their local manufacturing makes them easily accessible in India.
Wooden sleepers, also known as timber sleepers, are the earliest form of railway sleepers. They were commonly used for about 50 years until the development of steel tracks. Wooden sleepers are still preferred in certain situations, such as crossing bridges, due to their good insulation properties. However, they are becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to source in sufficient quantities and quality.
Concrete sleepers, also known as R.C.C. (reinforced cement concrete) sleepers, are widely used in Europe and Asia. They are cheaper and more readily available than wooden sleepers, requiring less maintenance and offering a longer service life. Concrete sleepers are heavier, which helps them remain in the correct position for longer. Pre-stressed concrete sleepers are the only type permitted by Network Rail standards in the UK's highest line categories.
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Concrete sleepers are widely used in Europe and Asia, and steel ties are common in the UK
Railway sleepers, also known as railroad ties or crossties, are an essential component of railways, placed between two tracks to maintain the correct gauge. Traditionally, railway sleepers were made of wood, but over time, steel and concrete sleepers were introduced. Concrete sleepers are widely used in Europe and Asia, while steel ties are prevalent in the UK, particularly on secondary or lower-speed lines.
The use of concrete sleepers in Europe and Asia has several advantages. Concrete sleepers do not rot like wooden sleepers, are fireproof, and provide greater stability due to their weight, especially with temperature changes. They also have a longer lifespan, reduced maintenance requirements, and lower ongoing costs compared to wooden sleepers. Additionally, concrete sleepers are more environmentally friendly as they do not require soaking in creosote. However, they tend to shatter upon train derailment and are initially more expensive than wooden sleepers.
Concrete sleepers were first experimented with in Germany in 1906 between Nuremberg and Bamberg. They were further developed and adopted by railways in Austria and Italy around the turn of the 20th century, followed by other European countries. After World War II, interest in concrete sleepers increased due to advancements in design and quality and the scarcity of timber. Today, pre-stressed concrete sleepers are widely accepted, especially for high-speed lines, due to their economic and technical advantages, including longer lifespans and reduced maintenance.
Steel ties are commonly used on secondary lines in the UK. They are formed from pressed steel and have a trough-shaped section with "spade" ends to increase lateral resistance. Steel ties are economical to install, especially on existing ballast beds, and can handle heavy loads. Historically, steel ties suffered from poor design and limited load and speed capacity, but modern steel ties have improved performance and are used in specialty situations where wooden ties are unsatisfactory, such as in hot and dry climates.
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Railway sleepers are now made from recyclable materials such as waste tires, waste plastics, and waste paint
Railway sleepers, also known as railroad ties, are transverse supports on a railway track that hold the rails upright and keep them spaced to the correct gauge. Sleepers are traditionally made of wood, but can also be constructed from pre-stressed concrete, which is a compressed form of ultra-strong concrete.
However, concrete sleepers have several disadvantages, including a short lifespan, high noise vibrations, and a high carbon footprint. To address these issues, railway sleepers are now being made from more environmentally sustainable materials, such as waste tires, waste plastics, and waste paint.
The EU-funded GREENRAIL project, for example, has developed sleepers made from recycled rubber and plastic, which can incorporate smart technology and solar panels. These sleepers are designed to meet the technical requirements of any railway track worldwide and offer several advantages over traditional concrete sleepers. For instance, they increase the average lifespan of a railway sleeper by reducing maintenance needs and costs, and they create less noise and fewer vibrations as trains pass over them, reducing noise pollution for nearby residents. Additionally, the GREENRAIL sleepers are more resistant to fracturing problems caused by freezing and thawing.
Research has also explored the potential of using recycled plastics, specifically ABS and LPB repulping reject, as railway sleeper materials. Recycled ABS emerges as a more promising alternative due to its superior mechanical durability and strength compared to LPB repulping reject, which is prone to excessive softening in summer temperatures. By using recycled materials, these sleepers offer a reduced carbon footprint and help to promote a circular economy by giving waste a second life.
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Frequently asked questions
A sleeper, also known as a railroad tie, is a rectangular support for the rails in a railway track. They are laid perpendicular to the rails and are traditionally made of wood.
Sleepers can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, steel, concrete, iron, and plastic composite.
Sleepers can be divided into longitudinal and transverse sleepers, depending on their position. They can also be categorised by the material they are made of, such as steel, cast iron, wooden, and concrete sleepers.
Wooden sleepers are easy to source and provide good shock absorption, but they are less durable and susceptible to insect damage. Steel sleepers can handle heavy loads but require high maintenance and are susceptible to chemical damage. Concrete sleepers have a long service life and are widely used, especially in Europe and Asia, but they are heavy and may be too expensive for some applications.
