The PWay Engineer @[email protected]
9K subscribers - no pronouns :c
Ever wonder what goes into a railway track? Do you want to l
Welcoem to posts!!
in the future - u will be able to do some more stuff here,,,!! like pat catgirl- i mean um yeah... for now u can only see others's posts :c
Time is finite
Ask anyone who has worked on the railway and they will likely say that getting work done (or even started) is a race against the clock. Operators want the track back to run train, always looking to minimise disruption to the time table caused by allowing track access.
Welding is often one of the last activities to be started, so the pressure can be on. Not only that but its a task that takes time and it is crucial to get right.
Find out how the two main type of railway welding stack up against each other when it comes to time in my latest video: https://youtu.be/YGM_3zZqi44
#RailwayEngineering #TrackRenewal #InfrastructureInsights #EngineeringExplained #WeldingTech #SiteLogistics
P.S. Want to understand how railway curves work? My free email course is an easy, step-by-step introduction to track geometry. bit.ly/TrackGeoCourse
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It's all in the grind! No, not your morning coffee
The final finish of a thermite weld is crucial to ensuring a smooth running surface for train wheels. The head of the rail and gauge corners need to be smooth and consistent with the rails either side.
This finish is achieved with the use of rail mounted grinders, removing the excess material left after the welding mould is removed.
Getting a good finish can take time, while the grinder is not a light piece of kit to be moved to site from the back of a van.
Find out how this compares to a flash butt weld in my latest video: https://youtu.be/YGM_3zZqi44
#RailwayEngineering #TrackRenewal #InfrastructureInsights #EngineeringExplained #WeldingTech #SiteLogistics
P.S. Curious about railway engineering but don’t know where to start? My Horizontal Geometry Basics course will guide you through the fundamentals. Sign up for free. bit.ly/TrackGeoCourse
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A meeting of forces
Curves are a place where the forces on the track get interesting. You have the lateral forces from passing trains acting outwards, and you have the forces from the track ballast and other rail components opposing them, keeping the track in place.
The tighter the curve, or the higher the cant deficiency, the higher these lateral forces.
Then we can throw another variable into the mix. Heat.
Hot weather leads to rails expanding, they are steel after all. As they expand, they need to go somewhere. The track ballast, and expansion joints or stressing, help to control these thermal forces. But sometimes it all becomes to much.
Worst case scenario is the first exerted by a passing train is the tipping point. The lateral forces, combined with the thermal forces, overcome the restraining forces of the ballast and the track moves. The buckle.
Tight radius or high cant deficiency curves are identified for additional mitigations during the hot weather season.
We are getting to summer, find out how Track Engineers prepare for the summer: https://youtu.be/Y_ut0Tzq7w8
#railwayengineering #trackengineering #summmerprep
P.S. New to railway engineering? My free Guide to Cant eBook is the perfect starting point. Download it here. bit.ly/CantPDF
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My latest video is live, and in it I breakdown the difference between the two main ways rails are welded together.
They go head to head on quality, time, cost and logistics. All important things when it comes to working on the modern railway.
Which do you think will win each around?
Give it watch here: https://youtu.be/YGM_3zZqi44
#RailwayEngineering #TrackRenewal #InfrastructureInsights #EngineeringExplained #WeldingTech #SiteLogistics
P.S. New to railway engineering? My FREE Guide to Cant eBook is the perfect place to start. Grab yours here: bit.ly/CantPDF
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It's all about the results, I mean resultant
The resultant force, both its size and direction determines where the force on the track is directed.
It is determined by resolving all the individual forces, which then gives the overall force. Resolving forces is a key part of engineering mechanics and worth a google!
As the diagram shows, at equilibrium cant the resultant force is directly into the track. This is the same as if the train was on flat, straight track.
With a level of cant deficiency applied, the resultant forces is now towards to the higher, outer rail on the curve. The higher the level of cant deficiency the further towards this rail the resultant moves.
Interested in why engineers design railway curves with cant deficiency?
Check out the video over on my YouTube channel now! https://youtu.be/OUsJJBzspiw
#RailwayEngineering #TrackDesign #Infrastructure #EngineeringExplained #TrainSystems #RailSafety
P.S. This free email course is designed for beginners—no complex formulas, just a clear introduction to track geometry. Sign up today. bit.ly/TrackGeoCourse
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It's time to get gritty
Well sandy.
When your wheels and the surface they are gripping are both steel, grip can become a problem. On the railway it is known as adhesion.
Multiple factors can affect adhesion levels but being able to improve them can be crucial for train driver.
Enter sanding systems. Sanding systems allow sand to be applied to the rail directly in front of the train wheel, boosting adhesion levels when needed.
Ever wondered how a train wheel grips the rail? Find out more in my video on the wheel rail interface, check it out here: https://youtu.be/OUsJJBzspiw
#RailwayEngineering #TrackDesign #Infrastructure #EngineeringExplained #TrainSystems #RailSafety
P.S. New to railway engineering? My free Guide to Cant eBook is the perfect starting point. Download it here. bit.ly/CantPDF
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Sometimes less is more
Food, drink, stress, cant. All things that have benefits when we have less than we could.
Equilibrium cant gives a train, at a certain speed, balance between the two rails. But this isn't actually as ideal as it sounds.
In theory it seems like a good idea, but in practice it can cause all sorts of issues. Just like that extra drink.
Find out about the benefits of designing curves with Cant Deficiency has and why almost all curves have it in my latest video.
Give it a watch! https://youtu.be/OUsJJBzspiw
#RailwayEngineering #TrackDesign #Infrastructure #EngineeringExplained #TrainSystems #RailSafety
Forgotten your headphones and cannot watch it now? Grab my free guide to cant ebook where I cover cant deficiency as well: bit.ly/CantGuide
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Does anyone actually understand this?
Have you ever opened up an railway engineering book, found the section you needed and when you start reading, wonder if this is the same language?
Dense technical books can overwhelm even the most experienced engineers, let along those new to the railway.
But you don't have to battle through them.
Simplify your journey with the Track Geometry Bundle - bit.ly/TrackGeoBundle
#railwayengineering #railway #engineering #transport #infrastructureengineering #railroad
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Career opportunities never happen exactly as you plan — they show up when you least expect them.
It could happen sooner than you think. It could come from a company, be a role, or on a project you weren’t even looking for.
The real question is: are you ready to grab that opportunity when it appears?
Have you prepared for that next step in your career — learning the key concepts, practising the fundamental knowledge?
Could you walk into an interview tomorrow confident, sharp, and ready?
If you’re not sure, that’s as good as a no.
But that’s where I can help.
The Advanced Track Engineers Toolkit gives you the eBooks, the practice questions, and the technical knowledge you need to get confident using track geometry equations and core railway engineering concepts.
Don’t let opportunity pass you by.
Get the Toolkit today — and be ready when opportunity knocks.
bit.ly/advancedtoolkit
#railwayengineering #railway #engineering #transport #infrastructureengineering #railroad
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Steel on steel
Not the clashing of swords. It is the meeting of train and track, the wheel rail interface.
In my latest video I explore this interface and the huge impact it has on the railway system overall.
It certainly punches above it's size, with huge forces involved, helping train navigate curves but also has the potential to cause a host of problems.
Watch now, here: https://youtu.be/_E4POBHGeDM
#RailwayEngineering #TrackEngineering #RailInfrastructure #CivilEngineering
P.S. New to railway engineering? My FREE Guide to Cant eBook is the perfect place to start. Grab yours here: bit.ly/CantPDF
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Ever wonder what goes into a railway track? Do you want to learn about track and railway engineering? You're in the right place! Here, you'll find all the information you need on track components, track engineering and other related topics. From the rails to the sleepers to the ballast, there are many components that go into designing and constructing a railway. Subscribe and learn about railway track engineering and how it enables trains to travel around the world.