Railroads inside and outside of industrial facilities require regular maintenance to keep operations running efficiently.
The critical item often overlooked is the importance of proper drainage to divert water away from the subgrade.
Why is drainage so important for a railroad? If the railroad is the beating heart of plant operations, ensuring product flow and drainage can be likened to high blood pressure — a "silent killer." The railroad is only as good as the subgrade it is built upon, and a critical component is the presence of adequate drainage. Without this, water would completely saturate the subgrade, leading to potential failures and derailments of one or multiple railcars over time.
In an ideal scenario, a derailment involves a single car coming off the track and staying upright and intact. However, not all incidents are so fortunate. If a car or multiple cars overturn, it would likely lead to environmental concerns. Emergency derailment services to get up and running again far exceed the cost of installing or maintaining proper drainage.
Standard Constructors knows this because it performs both. After a derailment, repairs typically focus on quickly restoring the track for continued operation with a temporary solution, rather than addressing the underlying issue causing the problem. Therefore, it is doomed to happen again in time. More importantly, these conditions can lead to critical safety issues inside and outside of facilities, often impacting the general public.
Types of drainage systems. There are many types of techniques to utilize, but the two most common are French drains and conventional ditches. French drains are installed between sets of tracks that tie into catch basins to collect and divert water away from the subgrade. These are used when there are two or more tracks running parallel. The other common system involves ditches on each side of the track with the flowline situated well below the subgrade level, ensuring ample positive drainage to prevent any accumulation of standing water in the ditch.
Identify the problem. As the train passes over weak sections, the track depresses, allowing water to rise to the surface, resulting in a "pumping" action within the subgrade. As a result, mud accumulates in the ballast between the rails. Also, in the case of wooden ties, many of them may decay prematurely or rot entirely. Inspect the existing drainage system looking for damaged, collapsed or clogged pipes. In addition, if the rock surrounding the French drain becomes clogged with mud or debris, it can halt the flow of water into the pipe, causing the issue; this is very common. As for ditches, ensure the flowline is well below the subgrade and is free from silt, vegetation or any other obstructions that might prevent the proper discharge of water. Most of the issues happen slowly over time due to a lack of drainage maintenance.
Prevent the problem. Watch what happens during a rain event and make note of areas with slow or no drainage. Check for downstream blockages and eliminate them if found. If it’s still slow or there’s no drainage, the system may be damaged or fully clogged. Standard’s team consists of proactive problem solvers who are prepared to tackle anything regarding sitework, civil, piling and railroad systems.
For more information, visit standardconstructors.com.
