Fundamentals of Track Engineering

• • Development of Australian railways
  • Introduction to rail
  • Rail sizes and standards
  • Joining and welding of rails
  • Vehicle components
  • Sleepers and slabs
  • Fastening systems
  • Ballast functions
  • Ballast properties, testing and sources
  • Formation
  • Drainage
  • Geotechnical problems and embankments
  • Cuttings and geotechnical risk

No eligibility requirements

Additional requirements

No additional requirements

Railways were invented in Britain over 200 years ago, and it is difficult to overstate the fundamental and critically important role they have played in the development of nations, the progress of wars, and the prosperity of peoples the world over. Railways tend to be divided into two segments: above rail (ie trains, rollingstock, wagons) and below rail (ie railway tracks). The two segments interact closely in the development and transmission of complex dynamic forces into the earth beneath the tracks. As a track engineer it’s vital that you know what the components are in modern rail tracks, their role, how they perform, the influence of their manufacture, and their interaction with the trains passing over them. For this purpose in your railway course the first subject you encounter is Fundamentals of Track Engineering, in which you learn these rudiments of track and its behaviour. This subject is essential to your progress through the course and you must successfully complete this subject before you can tackle subjects dealing with issues such as track design, track defects, track maintenance, etc.

• Online Quizzes (50%)
• Short essay questions (50%)