In railway track construction, which method is most commonly used for laying new tracks?

Explanation:

Telescopic Method

• The most commonly used method for laying new railway tracks, especially in open and difficult terrain.

• In this method:

  • Rails are first carried up to the end of the completed portion of the track.

  • Track is extended forward progressively by carrying materials and equipment on already laid tracks.

  • A light locomotive or trolley is used to bring additional rails and sleepers to the new location.

• It is efficient, requires minimal disturbance, and is suitable for remote or uneven terrains where transporting material by road is difficult.

Additional InformationTrenchless Method

• This is a non-invasive technique for installing underground utilities like cables, pipelines, or ducts without trenching the surface.

• Techniques include Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) or microtunneling.

• It is not used for railway track laying, but rather for crossing roads or railways without open excavation.

• Suitable for urban infrastructure projects, not for mainline track construction.

Incremental Launching Method

• Mostly used in bridge construction, especially for long viaducts or elevated railway lines.

• Involves casting segments of the structure behind the abutment and pushing them forward over supports.

• Not suitable for ballasted track laying; used when tracks are being laid on elevated concrete structures or bridges.

• More common in high-speed rail or metro viaducts, not general railway track work on ground.

Cut-and-Cover Method

• This method involves excavating a trench, laying the track or utility infrastructure, and then backfilling and covering the trench.

• Commonly used for underground metro systems, pipelines, or tunnels, but not for open railway track laying.

• It is disruptive to surface activities, hence more suitable for urban or underground utilities, not for long-distance rail track construction.