About Track Design Department:
Main functions of directorate are Research, Design and Development of Rails, Welding Technology, Sleepers, Fastenings, Turnouts, Long Welded Rails, Ultrasonic testing etc. The Track Directorate also provides consultancy to Zonal Railways on the matters pertaining to track, Development and standardization of new innovations reported by the Railways.
The process of development involves framing the specification. In case development is to be followed by field trials, further work involving preparation of detailed trial scheme, collection and analysis of data, change of design, if necessary, and final approval of the item are also undertaken. Multi sourcing and Vendor Development for Specified P. Way Items.
Organizational chart:

Brief achievements (2021-Sept’2022)
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Qualifying and evaluation criteria for inspection of rails manufactured and supplied by Bhilai Steel Plant, Bhilai (SAIL) to Indian Railways.
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Policy on Domestic Rail Plants for Symmetrical Rails of Different Grades (No. CT/Policy/01 dated 24.01.2022).
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Policy on Domestic Rail Plants for Asymmetrical Rails of Different Grades (No. CT/Policy/02 dated 28.01.2022).
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‘Special Technical Conditions’ and ‘Testing and Inspection Regime’ for procurement of R-260 grade rails from domestic sources through competitive bidding.
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‘Special Technical Conditions’ and ‘Testing and Inspection Regime’ for procurement of 1175HT grade rails through a Domestic Tender.
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‘Special Technical Conditions’ and ‘Testing and Inspection Regime’ for procurement of 1175HT grade rails through a Global Tender.
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Report on operation of 25t axle load beyond 45 kmph.
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Report on feasibility Study of Increase in Operational Speed in Kalka-Shimla (NG) section
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Issue of Addendum & Corrigendum Slip No. 2 of Policy Circular No. 6
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Issue of Addendum & Corrigendum Slip No. 3 of Policy Circular No. 6
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Issue of Indian Railway Schedule of Dimensions 1676mm gauge (BG), Revised-2022.
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Issue of Addendum & Corrigendum Slip No. 1 to Indian Railway Schedule of Dimensions 1676mm gauge (BG), Revised-2022
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Report on Rail Wheel Hardness on IR
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Development of indigenous technology of CMS crossings:
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New Design of Thick Web Switch Expansion Joint:
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Trial of Canted Turnouts
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Adoption of Improved Switch Expansion Joints (SEJ) for LWR BG, 60kg (UIC) on PSC sleepers for curves more than 2 degree and up to 4 degree
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Adoption of 1:16, 60kg Thick web switches (TWS) on Indian Railways
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Development of vendors for Zero Toe Load Fastening (ZTLF) System
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Development of Weldable CMS crossing (WCMS)
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Revision of specification for ‘Indian Railway Standard Specification for Fusion Welding of Rails by Alumino – Thermic Process Serial No. IRST-19-2022.
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Revision of Manual for Ultrasonic testing of Rails and Welds Revised-2022.
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Revision of Specification of Digital Ultrasonic Single Rail Tester and Double Rail Tester with 9 Probes/Channels per rail.
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Development of AT Welding Technique for R260 Grade Rails.
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Development of FB Welding Technique for R260 Grade Rails.
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Trial of Rail Cum Road Vehicle (RCRV) fitted with Ultrasonic System.
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Reprinting of Manual for Glued Insulated Rail Joints (First Reprint 2022).
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Issue of Addendum & Corrigendum Slip No. 8 to the ‘Manual for Glued Insulated Rail Joints-1998’
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Achievement of Inspection Cell
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Sr. No.
|
Items
|
Year
|
April 2020 to March-2021
|
April 2021 to March-2022
|
April 2022 to Sept-2022
|
i
|
No. of Fresh Registrations of the Firm
|
54
|
100
|
26
|
Ii
|
No. of Quality Audit of the Firms
|
16
|
47
|
26
|
iii
|
No. of upgradation
|
47
|
52
|
7
|
iv
|
No. of PSC Sleeper firm Oversight Inspection Conducted
|
15
|
9
|
9
|
v
|
Present Vendor Development cases in Hand
|
-
|
-
|
24
|
vi
|
Product Inspection Value (Crore Rs.)
|
700.43
|
788.49
|
278.12
|
Current Assignments in hand:
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Development of 1175HT grade rails and Flash Butt welding technique at BSP/Bhilai.
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Development of corrosion resistant NCC rail.
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Field trial of LWR on sharp curves and steep gradient.
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Revision of the existing RDSO standard “Indian Railway Standard Specification for Flat Bottom Rails (IRS-T-12/2009)” in line with Bureau of Indian Standards.
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Measurement of stress-free temperature of LWR/CWR by using VERSE equipment.
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Revision of Policy Circular No. 6
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Revision of the ‘Railways Opening for Public Carriage of Passengers Rule, 2022’.
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Development of new technologies for Rail fracture detection system.
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Development of AT Welding for 1175 HT Grade rails.
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Development of FB Welding for 1175 HT Grade rails.
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Development of 9 probes/channels B-Scan Single Rail Tester (SRT) and Double Rail Tester (DRT).
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Development and field trial of Phased Array ultrasonic weld tester.
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Development of Phased Array ultrasonic Single Rail Tester (SRT).
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Revision of Manual for Glued Insulated Rail Joints.
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Finalization of Drawing of 1-meter-long Combination Fishplate RDSO/T-8533 to RDSO/T-8536 for 60 kg & 52 kg rail based on Field Trial Report.
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Finalization of drawing of Joggled Fish Plate for 60kg for use on rail fracture to Drawing No. RDSO/T-8213
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Functional Requirement Specification for High Performance Insulated Rail Joints