They’re impressive, look like they mean business and are the benchmark of efficiency. We are talking about the new 09-3X Dynamic Tamping Express machines of the Indian Railways. Featuring imported components, these will aid in improved mechanised track maintenance.
A high-output integrated tamping machine, the 09-3X Dynamic Tamping Express, can carry out multiple functions, like the following:
1. Measure pre and post track geometry.
2. Correct the track to required geometry.
3. Tamp three sleepers simultaneously.
4. Stabilize and measure post-tamping track parameters under load.
5. Vibrate and compact the loose stone ballast after tamping, for safe movements of trains.
This is advantageous, as it can take over operations such as tamping, manual interface, stabilising, and post-tamping parameters that were earlier done by three separate machines. Now, one machine, the 09-3X Dynamic Tamping Express, can do them all.
The first machines were inaugurated and flagged off at Faridabad, by MK Gupta, Member (Engineering), Railway Board, reported the Financial Express. The next six months will see seven 09-3X Dynamic Tamping Express machines, which will expand the existing fleet of 874 track maintenance machines, that have been deployed by the Railways over high-density routes.
This move has cost the Railways a tidy sum—each of these machines costs around Rs 27 crore, and it plans to include 42 more of these machines in their maintenance fleet, as they believe the machines will improve several factors.
Safety, reliability will go up, and operating costs in track maintenance will come down. Also, there will be no need for manual measurement of track quality post maintenance.
The Indian Railway Track Maintenance Training Centre in Allahabad (IRTMTC), has a 3D state-of-the-art tamping stimulator, installed and commissioned for hands-on training. India is only one of 5 nations worldwide, to have a 3D tamping stimulator.
This introduction of tamping machines is under the umbrella plan of the Railway Ministry to completely mechanise the inspection, monitoring, relaying and maintenance of tracks by 2024.
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The tamping machines have been introduced under the ‘Make in India’ scheme, and are sure to help the Railways streamline their vital inspection and maintenance processes.
Featured image credit:- Facebook.
(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)
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