Engineering Surveys and Construction of New Lines

Engineering Surveys and
Construction of New Lines
HIWOT T. Msc.
INTRODUCTION
 The construction of a new railway line is a capital-intensive project.
 each kilometer of a new railway line costs in the range of 6 to 10

million dollar depending upon the topography of the area.
 It is, therefore, natural that a lot of thought be given when making a

final decision as to whether a new railway line is at all necessary or
not.
Need for Construction of a New
Railway Line
The need for construction of a new railway line arises because the
following considerations.
a) Development of backward areas; Railway lines are sometimes
constructed to develop backward areas.
b) To connect new trade centers; Sometimes new trade centers
are connected with railway lines for the quick transportation of
goods between two trade centers.
c) Strategic reasons; It is sometimes necessary to extend the
existing railway line to a new point of strategic importance so
that the defense forces can move quickly.
CONT…
d) To shorten the existing rail link; The existing routes between two
important points may be longer than required. New railway lines are
constructed on a shorter alignment in such cases.
Preliminary Investigations for a
New Railway Line
 Whenever the construction of a new railway line is under consideration,
preliminary investigations are done by the railway administration to determine
how the proposed line will fit in with the general scheme of future railway
development.
 The preliminary investigations are normally based on a careful study of the

following:
Cont…
 Existing topography sheets and other maps of the area
 Published figures of trade and population of the area to be served
 Statistical data of existing railway lines in similar terrain in other areas
As a result of these investigations, it becomes possible to decide whether or not

the new railway line is required.
Types of Surveys
1) Traffic survey
2) Reconnaissance survey
3) Preliminary survey
4) Final location survey
The details of these surveys are discussed in the following sections.

1. Traffic Survey
 Traffic survey includes a detailed study of the traffic conditions in the area
with a view to determine
 The most promising route for the railway in the area
 Possible traffic the railway line will carry, and
 Standard of railway line to be followed.

Cont…
information on which should be collected in detail:
(a) Human resources
(b) Agricultural and mineral resources
(c) Pattern of trade and commerce
(d) Industries located and projected
(e) Prospects of tourist traffic
(f) Existing transport facilities
(g) Locations of important government and private offices
(h) Planning for economic development of the area
Cont…
2. Reconnaissance Survey
o This survey consists of a rapid and rough investigation of the area with a view
to determine the technical feasibility of the proposal as well as the rough cost of
the new line.
 The reconnaissance survey (RECCE) is normally based on contoured survey

maps and other data already available without carrying out detailed
investigations in the field
Cont…
3. Preliminary Survey
 The preliminary survey consists of a detailed instrumental examination of the

route to be selected as a result of the reconnaissance survey in order to
estimate the cost of the proposed railway line.
 Based on the preliminary and traffic survey reports, the railway administration
decides whether or not the proposed railway line is to be constructed.
Cont…
4. Final Location Survey
 Once a decision has been taken for a particular railway line to be

constructed, a final location survey is done.
 Final location survey is done to prepare detail works and make accurate
cost estimation.
Construction of new lines
 The main work involved in the construction of a new line is the

following.
(a) Land acquisition
(b) Earthwork and bridges
(c) Plate laying, including ballasting of track
(d) Station building, staff quarters, and other allied facilities,
including platforms and sheds
A. Land acquisition
 The work of land acquisition should start well in advance so that all legal and
financial formalities are completed on time and possession of the land can be
taken for starting construction work.
 Land is generally acquired after giving a notice and paying compensation to

the previous occupants.
 The land to be acquired should be adequate for the formation and the entire
structure.
 It should also have adequate provision for future expansion

cont...
 Even when a single line is to be constructed, the land available
should be sufficient for the construct of a double line for future
expansion.
 Normally a strip of 25 to 35 m of land is acquired for the

construction of a railway line. For station yards, an extra width of
land is acquired.
B. Earthwork for Formation
 The formation may be in an embankment or cutting. A formation in an
embankment is normally preferred from the point of view of good drainage.
 The height of the embankment also depends on the high flood level of the
area.
Gauge Type of Width of formation (m)

formation Single line Double line
BG Embankment 6.10 10.82
Cutting 5.40 10.21

MG Embankment 4.88 8.84
Cutting 4.27 8.23

C. Bridges
 Bridges should be designed for the heaviest locomotive likely to pass that
section.
 Bridges, being important structures, are normally made for double-line tracks,
even in single line sections, with a view to plan for future expansion.
 For the construction of important bridges, separate tenders are called, with
design and construction details included in the tender documents.
D. Service Buildings and Staff
Quarters
 Service buildings include the station master’s office, telegraph office,
etc., which are basically required for providing services for running the
trains.
 All these constructions are simultaneously taken up by civil engineers,

construction engineers, electrical engineers, and signal engineers so that
they can progress together.
E. Plate Laying or Track Linking( 1pt)
 Once the formation is ready, plate laying or track linking is

required. It consists of laying rails, sleepers, ballast and
fastenings.
Thank you!

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Engineering Surveys and

Construction of New Lines

 The construction of a new railway line is a capital-intensive project.

 each kilometer of a new railway line costs in the range of 6 to 10

 It is, therefore, natural that a lot of thought be given when making a

 The preliminary investigations are normally based on a careful study of the

 Published figures of trade and population of the area to be served

 Statistical data of existing railway lines in similar terrain in other areas

As a result of these investigations, it becomes possible to decide whether or not

4) Final location survey

The details of these surveys are discussed in the following sections.

 The most promising route for the railway in the area

 Possible traffic the railway line will carry, and

 Standard of railway line to be followed.

 The reconnaissance survey (RECCE) is normally based on contoured survey

 The preliminary survey consists of a detailed instrumental examination of the

 Once a decision has been taken for a particular railway line to be

 The main work involved in the construction of a new line is the

 Land is generally acquired after giving a notice and paying compensation to

 It should also have adequate provision for future expansion

 Normally a strip of 25 to 35 m of land is acquired for the

Gauge Type of Width of formation (m)

BG Embankment 6.10 10.82

Cutting 5.40 10.21

Cutting 4.27 8.23

 All these constructions are simultaneously taken up by civil engineers,

 Once the formation is ready, plate laying or track linking is

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