Rail “breakage prevention” improves quality and fine grinding guarantees

Turnout rails grinding

As the temperature continues to drop in winter, the task of “prevention” of rail steel is put on the agenda. In order to ensure timely repair of turnout and rail defects, prolong the service life of turnout rails, and ensure high-speed, safe, and stable train operation, railway staff need to perform turnout and guide rail grinding operations on turnouts in stations.

The location and type of turnout disease are different, and the grinding methods are also different. Before grinding the turnout, it is necessary to conduct an investigation and measurement. The staff put a 1m ruler on the joint rail surface, and align the “0” scale of the ruler with the rail surface. In the center of the seam, measure the error size with a feeler gauge, and mark the position to be polished with a stone pencil.

Then the railway maintenance workers lifted the grinding machine onto the line. According to the grinding position marked with a stone pen during the investigation, one team member was responsible for pushing the grinding machine and mastering the balance, while the other team member was responsible for controlling the amount of grinding.

Turnout rails grinding requires rich experience and technology. During grinding, the grinding machine must be pushed back and forth evenly, and the amount of grinding should be controlled evenly by rotating the screw. This requires that the amount of grinding should be checked at any time during grinding.

The operator carefully grinds the marked position, and the feed rate of the grinding wheel should not be too large when grinding, which is a double test of endurance and physical strength for the grinder user. When grinding, the operating members operate the grinding machine at multiple angles, so that the entire top surface of the frog can be ground. Another operator uses a 1m straight steel ruler and a feeler gauge to check at any time to avoid grinding beyond the limit until the grinding is qualified.