Permanent ways track, permanent railways track, requirements of an ideal permanent way.

 Permanent ways/railways track:-

1. The combination of rails fitted on slippers and resting on the ballast and subgrade is called the railway track or permanent way.
2. In a permanent way the rails are joined in series by fish plates and bolts and then they are fixed to sleepers by different types of fastenings.
3. The sleepers properly spaced resting on ballast are suitably packed and boxed with ballast
4. The layer of the ballast rests on the prepared subgrade called the formation.
5. The rails act as girders to transmit the wheel load to the sleepers.
6. The sleepers hold the rails in proper position with respect to the proper tilt gauge and level, and transmit the load from rails to the ballast.
7. The ballast distribute the load over the formation and holds the sleepers in position.

Requirements of an ideal permanent ways:-

1. The gauge should be correct and uniform.
2. The rails should be in proper level.
3. The alignment should be correct,   i.e.,   it should be free from kinks or irregularities.
4. The gradient should be uniform and as gentle as possible.
5. The track should be resilient and elastic in older to absorb shocks and vibrations of running track.
6. The real and super elevation on curves should be properly designed and maintained.
7. Drainage system must be perfect for enhancing safety and durability of trak.