The process of track construction work is underway in Gujarat portion of Bullet Train project with setting up of Track construction base (TCB) near Surat and Anand. The flash butt welding of the rails to form 200 m long panels has started on the viaduct.
More than 35,000 MT of rails have been received and four sets (04) of track construction machinery have been received for the project.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project will have J-Slab on the Japanese Shinkansen track system. This is for the first time, the J-slab ballastless track system is being used in India.
The entire process of track installation is mechanized with cutting edge machinery especially designed and manufactured as per Japanese specifications. The fleet of machines include rail feeder car, track slab laying car, CAM laying car and flash butt welding machine, which will be used for track construction works.
To understand the methodology of Shinkansen track construction works extensive training and certification courses are being organised for the Indian engineers, work leaders and technicians on various activities. Japanese experts (through JARTS) in relevant fields are imparted these trainings.
Additional Information on machines being used for track related works:
Flash butt welding machine (FBWM)
The 25 m long 60 kg JIS rails are welded using Flash butt welding machine (FBWM) to form 200 m long panels at the TCB (track construction base) over the viaduct. Total 3 FBWM have been procured till now. The training for rail weld finishing and rail weld testing have been completed by the JARTS.
Track Slab Laying Car (TSLC)
Precast track slabs are lifted on to the viaduct, loaded on specially designed wagons and moved to the track laying location. By using TSLC, which can handle 5 slabs at a time, track slabs are laid in position on the RC track bed. As on date 4 TSLC have been arranged for slab laying work.
Rail Feeder Car (RFC)
200 m long panels are transported and spread over RC track bed using Rail Feeder Car and special wagons. RFC will push the rail pair over the RC bed and temporary track will be laid initially on RC track bed. Total 4 RFC have been procured till now.
Cement Asphalt Mortar Injection Car (CAM Car)
After placement of track slabs at proper place on the RC Bed, CAM car runs on the parallel track. This CAM car mixes the ingredients of CAM mix (in design proportion) and this CAM mix is injected (filled in specially prepared CAM bags) under the slab to achieve the required line and level of track. 3 CAM cars have been procured till now.
