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Layout And Construction Of A Railway Track And Railway

Station
Introduction:
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles
running on rails, also known as tracks. It is also commonly referred to as train transport. In
contrast to road transport, where vehicles run on a prepared flat surface, rail vehicles (rolling
stock) are directionally guided by the tracks on which they run. Tracks usually consist of steel
rails, installed on ties (sleepers) and ballast, on which the rolling stock, usually fitted with metal
wheels, moves. Other variations are also possible, such as slab track, where the rails are fastened
to a concrete foundation resting on a prepared subsurface.

Modern Railway Track:

The track on a railway or railroad, also known as the permanent way, is the structure consisting
of the rails, fasteners, railroad ties (sleepers, British English) and ballast (or slab track), plus the
underlying subgrade. It enables trains to move by providing a dependable surface for
their wheels to roll upon. For clarity, it is often referred to as railway track.

Railway Track & Its Components:

Railway tracks are planned and laid down according to a specific layout that is designed
considering the type of track arrangement, and the size of board they require. A railway track
consists of five main parts which are:
1) Formation
2) Ballast
3) Sleepers
4) Rails
5) Fastenings

1) Formation:
Formation of a railway track is the soil surface which is supposed to act as a foundation
for all the assembly of a railway track that is to be laid over it. It is a well-compacted surface
prepared to transfer all the loads and stresses coming from the railways into the ground without
settlement. It is necessary to protect it from water penetration. The stability of a railway track
greatly depends upon its formation. The formation comprises the sub-grade and a layer of sand
or stone dust known as the blanket, which restricts the upward migration of wet clay or silt.
There may also be layers of waterproof fabric to prevent water penetrating to the sub-grade.
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2) Ballast:
Track ballast forms the track-bed upon which railroad ties or sleepers are laid. It is
packed between, below, and around the ties. It is used to bear the load from the railroad ties, to
facilitate drainage of water, and also to keep down vegetation that might interfere with the track
structure. This also serves to hold the track in place as the trains roll by. It is typically made of
crushed stone, although ballast has sometimes consisted of other, less suitable materials, for
example burnt clay.

3) Sleepers:
A railroad tie or railway sleeper is a rectangular support for the rails in railroad tracks. Generally
laid perpendicular to the rails, ties transfer loads to the track ballast and subgrade, hold the rails
upright and keep them spaced to the correct gauge. Sleepers maintain the alignment of a railway
track. They also provide insulation for electrified track.

4) Rails:
Rails are iron beams whose basic function is to provide a most economical, smooth and level
surface for the smooth passage of heavily loaded vehicles at great speed. The two rails of the
track also serve as a lateral guide for the running of the wheels. Railroad tracks guide the train,
acting as the low-friction surface on which the train runs and often transferring the weight of the
train to the ground below. The rails are usually bolted to the ties. The ties are set into the loose
gravel or ballast. Modern track typically uses hot-rolled steel with a profile of an asymmetrical
rounded I-beam. Unlike some other uses of iron and steel, railway rails are subject to very high
stresses and have to be made of very high-quality steel alloy. It took many decades to improve
the quality of the materials, including the change from iron to steel. The stronger the rails and the
rest of the track work, the heavier and faster the trains the track can carry. There are three main
types of rails:
i) Double Headed Rail
ii) Bullheaded Rail
iii) Flatfooted Rail

5) Fastenings:
A rail fastening system is a means of fixing rails to railroad ties or sleepers. The terms rail
anchors, tie plates, chairs and track fasteners are used to refer to parts or all of a rail fastening
system. Any device used to secure running rails into chairs or baseplates or directly to sleepers,
bearers or other rail supports. Rail fastenings keeps rails fastened to sleepers (transfer of forces),
provides a proper slope of rail foot (1:20, 1:40) in the transverse plane, prevents the rail from
longitudinal movement, damps noise and vibration coming from rails.
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General Requirements for Rail Fastening:

Rail fastenings shall:

1. Hold rails securely in the rail seat.

2. Limit the rotation of the rail about the outer edges of the rail foot.
3. Minimize longitudinal movement of rails through creep and thermal forces.
4. Assist in retention of track gauge.
5. Not cause damage to the rail.

Rail Profile:
The rail profile is the cross sectional shape of a railway rail perpendicular to its length.
It clearly shows all the elements of a railway track.

Railway Tracks Layouts

Following are some typical ways in which railway tracks can be laid out:

i) Balloon Loop Track:

A balloon loop, turning loop or reversing loop allows a rail vehicle or train to reverse
direction without having to shunt or even stop. Balloon loops can be useful for passenger trains
and unit freight trains such as coal trains.
Balloon loops are common on tram or streetcar systems. Many streetcar and tram
systems use single-ended vehicles that have doors on only one side and must be turned at each
end of the route, or else haul trailer cars with no driver's cabin in the rear car. They are used at
coal mines, grain elevators, power plants and similar large industries that can load / unload an
entire unit train. What they cost in space, they save in time and efficiency. Locomotives do not
need to be uncoupled, turned and run-around the train. Trolleys frequently use reverse loops at the
ends of runs, taking advantage of their tighter turn radius.
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ii) Shunting Of Railway Tracks:

Shunting, in railway operations, is the process of sorting items of rolling stock into
complete trains, or the reverse. In the United States this activity is known as "switching".

iii) Branch Line:

A branch line is a secondary railway line which branches off a administrative authoritye
important through route, usually a main line. A very short branch line may be called a spur line.

iv) Zigzag routes:

Sometimes railway tracks follow a zigzag shape in hilly areas to allow the train to
climb the uphill. They are switchbacks.

v) Passing Loop:
A passing loop or passing siding also called a crossing loop is a place on a single line
railway or tramway, often located at a station, where trains or trams travelling in opposite
directions can pass each other. Trains going in the same direction can also overtake, providing
that the signaling arrangement allows it. Passing loop is double ended and connected to the main
track at both ends, though a dead end siding known as a refuge siding, which is much less
convenient

Track Geometry;
Track geometry is three-dimensional geometry of track layouts and associated
measurements used in design, construction and maintenance of railroad tracks. The subject is
used in the context of standards, speed limits and other regulations in the areas of track gauge,
alignment, elevation , curvature and track surface. Although, the geometry of the tracks is three-
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dimensional by nature, the standards are usually expressed in two separate layouts
for horizontal and vertical.

Horizontal Layout:
Horizontal layout is the track layout on the horizontal plane. This can be thought of as
the plan view which is a view of a 3-dimensional track from the position above the track. In track
geometry, the horizontal layout involves the layout of three main track types:
i) Tangent track 
ii) Curved track,  
iii) Track transition curve 

Tangent Track:
Tangent railway track is the part of railway track that is tangent to the spiral of the
railway track at a point.
Curved Track:
It is the portion of the railway track where a curvature is introduced to divert the track
from a straight line to a circular path.
Track Transition Curve:
A track transition curve, or spiral easement, is a mathematically calculated curve on a
section of a railroad track, where a straight section changes into a curve. It is designed to prevent
sudden changes in lateral (or centripetal) acceleration. In plan the start of the transition of the
horizontal curve is at infinite radius and at the end of the transition it has the same radius as the
curve itself, thus forming a very broad spiral. At the same time, in the vertical plane, the outside
of the curve is gradually raised until the correct degree of bank is reached.
Vertical Layout:
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Vertical layout is the track layout on the vertical plane. This can be thought of as
the elevation view which is the side view of the track to show track elevation. In track geometry,
the vertical layout involves concepts such as cross-level, cant and gradient.
i) Cross-level
ii) Gradient
iii) Cant

Cross-level:
It is the difference in the elevation between the top surface of the rails at any point of
railroad track.

Gradient:
Cant gradient. Cant gradient is the amount by which cant is increased or decreased in a
given length of track. The change in cant is required in order to connect a tangent track (no cant)
to a curved track (with cant) through a transition curve.

Cant:-
The cant of a railway track or camber of a road (also referred to as super-elevation,
cross slope or cross fall) is the rate of change in elevation (height) between the two rails or
edges.

Construction Of A Railway Track

Construction of a railway track is a series of certain activities which are to be carried out
in a specific sequence and manner to achieve a working railway track. The steps involved in
railway construction are given below:-

Pre-construction Activities:
There are some preparative works before railway track construction. Among all the
activities, subgrade drainage and materials preparation are common.

 The subgrade drainage is a system that is used to prevent he railway from water logging.
The subgrade, road bed and slope of railway track are very easy to be washed by water. If
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the subgrade drainage measures are not proper, this will lead to the subgrade diseases. It
is necessary to install drainage before laying the track. Specifically, it mainly adopts
drainage pipes, carrier drains and attenuation ponds in some area.
 The preparation of construction materials is another work before track laying. Ordinary
materials include railway sleepers, steel rail, rail fasteners and some construction
equipment. Preparation works primarily refer to check the complement and integrity of
all materials.


Laying Bottom Ballast:

Ballast bed is the dependable foundation for railway track. According to the construction
procedures, ballast bed construction is divided into two parts: bottom ballast and top ballast.
There are other procedures between bottom ballast and top ballast laying. So, bottom ballast and
top ballast will be separate to introduce.

 Set the thickness of bottom ballast by the design.

 Track design for main track is double track. Bottom ballast is made up medium-coarse
sand.
 Spread the railway sleepers. Put sleepers on the each side of railway track equably.
Laying railway sleeper on the track manually. Keep the central point of railway sleeper
and rail track centerline in alignment.
 The bottom ballast is transported to the track and unloaded equably as planned. The
compaction is realized by manual spreading and mini road roller.

Anchorage:
Anchorage means the process that fix railroad spike to railway sleeper. This procedure
requires materials like sulphur, sand, cement, paraffin, screw spike. The railroad screw spikes are
under the huge pressure of vertical force, horizontal and longitudinal force. The railroad spikes
play an important role in ensuring the safety of the railway transportation.
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Laying Steel Rail:

Steel rail laying mainly include rail polygamy and track laying.

 Rail polygamy is a necessary process in the track laying. Measure the length of each rail
and rail polygamy can be based on it. It is suitable to use rails with same length deviation.
What’s administrative authority, length deviation is less than 3mm, and cumulative
deviation is less than 15mm.
 Rail laying start from the rear end of turnout. The length of non-standard rails can be
determined by the location of insulation joints. Convey steel rails by the monorail
vehicle, then lift them to rail ditch manually.
 When steel rails are placed, connect them and railway sleepers by the rail fastening
system and rail components like rail joint.

Top Ballast:
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Top ballast laying means laying ballast on the track and renovate the track to expect
result. Top ballast lying has a certain order: transport ballast- spread ballast-track lifting- track
lining- filling ballast- tamping- finishing track bed.

The first top ballast laying:

 Spread ballast to the track.

 Track lifting. Lifting each rail up to right place and padded with ballast. Maintain every
point of steel rail at same level.
 Track lining. Switch road to the centerline, make straight line and curve smooth.
 Tamping. Once the top ballast is ready, the tamping machine starts to work. The tamping
is continues tree or four times.
 Filling ballast. Filling crib with ballast.

The second top ballast laying:

The second top ballast laying start after some trains pass. Compared to the first top
ballast laying, most procedures are same except renovate track.

Rail anchor and rail brace:

Rail anchor is used to prevent track from crawling. Rail brace is connected with steel
rail through rail bolt and nuts. Both rail anchor and rail brace are designed to keep steel rail in
place and ensure the rail safety. Rail anchors made in one-piece construction from spring steel
are designed to fasten the rail tight on the base of the rail to prevent the rail from longitudinal
movements. Rail anchors are applied to the rail base directly and lodge up against the tie. Rail
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anchors provide a large bearing surface against rail base and rail tie, preventing cutting and wear,
and eventually to prolong the working life of the rail ties. Anchors are made for a specific rail
weight and base width, which can be classified into two types:
i) Drive-on rail anchors
ii) Spring type rail anchor.

Railway Station:-

A train station, railway station, railroad station, or depot is a railway facility where
trains regularly stop to load or unload passengers or freight. It generally consists of at least one
track-side platform and a station building (depot) providing such ancillary services as ticket sales
and waiting rooms. If a station is on a single-track line, it often has a passing loop to facilitate
traffic movements.

Layout:

Station configuration addresses the geometry and functional needs of the station design.
Station configuration issues involve the design of station entrances, the arrangement of the train
platform, the location and relationship of the fare control area to the entrance(s) and platform(s),
parking facilities, work and rest areas, and the integration of ancillary and support facilities with
the public functions.
Station designers are required to adopt a guiding set of principles that establish the
design priorities for the project. These guiding principles should be clearly expressed and easily
communicated such that the most important aspects of the design can be defended and protected
against future encumbrances.

Goals and Objectives:-

Customer Safety and Security:-

1. Safety and Health: Design to minimize the possibility of accidents and health hazards.
Strategies shall include, but shall not be limited to the following:

a) Adequate and appropriate lighting

b) Slip-resistant walking surfaces
c) Appropriate use of guards and safety rails
d) Minimization of tripping hazards
e) Correct application of materials and methods of construction.
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2. Security: - Stations shall be designed to be safe and secure without depending on technology
and equipment. Strategies shall include, but shall not be limited to the following:

3. Efficient Movement of Customers: Strategies to facilitate the free flow of passengers shall
include, but shall not be limited to the following:
i). Separation of different categories of passengers.
ii). Design of a clear, simple, and direct passenger circulation system, minimizing turns and
decision points
iii). Minimizing travel distances
iv). Efficient and strategic use of VCEs
v) . Efficient and strategic use of electronic boards to display information about train schedules,
etc.
vi). Minimizing cross-flows and conflicting passenger movements

General Design Factors:

The overall design of the station should trace the circulation of the passengers from
arrival to departure ensuring that each juncture required in the movement of the passenger is as
seamless as possible. The following diagram presents in two dimensions general adjacency
requirements and circulation pattern of large modern train station. These relationships require
resolution in three dimensions in actual station design where rails, street and station access are
juxtaposed in complex locations both horizontally and vertically. However the basic circulation
flow should follow the general organization reflected in the diagram.

Passenger Circulation:-

Logic and Clarity:

1. Design the spatial organization of the station to correspond to the sequence of the passenger’s
activity in a clear, logical, and sequential manner that promotes efficient passenger circulation.
2. Separate arriving and departing passengers horizontally and/or vertically based on extent of
passenger movement and size and location of spaces required.
3. Separate commuting and long distance passengers.
4. Avoid unnecessary turns in the circulation path.
5. Passenger Orientation and Decision Making
6. Minimize customer decisions along the path of circulation.
7. Where necessary, provide consistent and clear directional signage.

Level of Service (LOS) Performance Standard:

LOS performance standards provide a method of sizing passenger circulation elements
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that respond to the demands of pedestrian behavior. The capacity of passenger circulation
elements shall permit natural, free-speed passenger movement and consider the physical
dimensions of the human body and human locomotion.
A LOS of C or greater shall be used for all passenger circulation elements based on the
projected passenger/ridership load target specified in the Concession Agreement or as called for
in section 2.4 Basis of Design. However, station design shall take into account seasonal peak use
and ensure that all station components conform to a Level of Service (LOS) D during this period.
Entrances:
Station entrances provide the link between the station and the surrounding streets, and
their design must reflect the distinct requirements of both. Entrances shall provide
convenient access (ingress and egress) for all customers. The station entrance shall
have clear and direct access to the surrounding pedestrian network and be clearly
visible and identifiable within the surrounding urban context. Entrances shall not be
negatively influenced by adjacent pedestrian flows, activities, or events unrelated to the
station. Special attention must be paid to the potential impact of adjacent land uses on
station access and vice versa.

Control Area:-

The station control area is the primary decision and activity point in the station’s
passenger circulation system. This often leads to a build-up of queue at key entry nodes where
passengers pause to orient themselves. The fare array shall be designed to minimize constraints
on customer flow. The line of control should be designed to be as visually transparent as
possible, to facilitate surveillance and a sense of safety and openness.
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The station control area is located in the unpaid area contains fare vending, control
access to paid areas, and customer information facilities. In addition the unpaid area may contain
certain amenities to be provided by the concessionaire and administrative authority at their
discretion. They include:

~ Shops (food and retail)

~ Travel Information Centers
~ Toilets
~ ATM’s
~ Foreign Exchange Centers

These facilities when provided shall not in any way interfere or impede the flow of passengers
into or out of the station.

VCEs (Vertical Circulation Elements):

VCEs are the devices used to transport customers between different levels of the station.
VCEs comprise of elevators, escalators, and stairs. Capacity requirements for VCE’s will be
determined on a component by component basis. The most critical will be the platform which is
the basic unit of operation in the train station. General planning principles for each type of VCE
follow:
• Provide Escalator/Stair Pairs - Wherever feasible, stairs and escalators shall be provided side-
by-side to facilitate a choice in vertical travel.
• Provide Elevators in Pairs – Unless infeasible on existing platform areas elevators shall be
installed in pairs side by side wherever they are use for public access.
• The minimum number of VCEs will be determined by the level of service, given the forecast
peak passenger design loads or emergency egress requirements, whichever is most stringent.
However, a single upward escalator and stair pair will be considered as the minimum vertical
circulation unit at any point of vertical circulation.

Platform Area
The platform area is where customers access trains. The platform area must facilitate
multiple customer circulation functions: circulation along the platform, boarding and alighting
trains, queuing at the platform edge while waiting for a train, queuing at VCEs, runoff at VCEs,
and waiting at benches or rest areas. Because of these complex and often conflicting—circulation
characteristics, overcrowding on the platform may create uncomfortable or dangerous situations
where customers are crowded near the platform edge. Therefore, sizing station platforms is
critical and designers should err on the side of safety when determining the size of the station
platform.
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1. Capacity:
The capacity of platforms will assume in all instances the worst case scenario forthe
alighting and detraining of trains in a station. A center platform will assumetwo 100% capacity
trains detraining and evacuating from the platform at any given time. A side platform assumes
one 100% capacity train detraining and evacuating from the platform at any given time.
Evacuation for the purposes of fire safety does not need to consider operational alighting and
detraining flow. However, the station capacity analysis model should identify these distinct
requirements that have passengers coming from and going to different
concourses and apportion the VCE’s accordingly.

2. Length:
Platform length is typically determined by the length of the longest train
anticipated for the station plus 4.5 m.

3. Width:
Platform width is typically determined by several factors:

a) The width of any VCEs located within the length of the platform.

b) An architecturally preferred minimum 2.640 m clear distance to any obstruction, such as a

VCE, from the platform edge. This distance includes the .609 m wide platform safety edge, a
1.725 m clear passage for customers circulating along the platform length, and a .13 m buffer
zone along the length of the obstruction. Where a platform edge rubbing strip is employed, the
width of the rub strip shall not be included within the preferred minimum clear distance and the
edge of the platform shall be measured from the inside edge of the rubbing. The rub strip will not
beincluded as part of the .609 m width of the platform safety edge.

c) Station patronage and emergency exiting requirements.

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d) Space requirements as determined by Level of Service requirements.

4. Design Principles:
The following principles should be applied to the design of station platforms:

a) All elements of the platform area must support safe customer circulation and access to the
trains.

b) The design of the platform must minimize the need for customers to make decisions that may
cause unnecessary hesitation while circulating. Because platforms are typically crowded and
subject to customer surges and cross-flows, pausing customers can cause circulation problems
for all patrons. The design of the platform must vehicles near the points where VCEs intersect
the platform.

c) Facilitate the clearing of the platform as soon as possible.

d) Platform access points and VCEs should be situated to encourage balanced vehicle loading
and unloading.

Waiting Areas and Lounges:

Lounges and Waiting Areas for an Indian Railway station must be provided. In
some stations the waiting time gap between connecting trains and schedules of train operations is
significant so as part of the station project the Concessionaire must include in the immediate
proximity of the station a budget hotel.

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Capacity:-
Capacity of waiting areas shall be based on the station capacity analysis model that must
include a passenger profile to establish the waiting area requirements for reserved and
unreserved passengers as well as the premium lounges
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2 Types:-
Size and location of the lounges and waiting areas may be decided taking into account
the climatic conditions, the importance of the stations, availability of space, etc. Premium
lounges with special amenities shall keep in view the demand from different type of clientele.
Types of areas are:

a) Unreserved waiting areas, amenities include:

i) Seating ii) Toilets iii) Administrative authority food shops iv) Concessionaire food and retail
shops

b) Reserved waiting areas, amenities include:

i) Seating ii) Toilets iii) Food and retail shops (restaurants) iv) Cyber cafes v) Cell and
computer charging points

c) Premium lounge amenities include:

i) Upholstered seating ii) Separate climate control. iii) Toilets and showers iv) Food and retail
shops (restaurants) v) Cyber cafes

The Concessionaire may have the option of deciding various levels of lounges that he
may use to earn revenue at the station’s unpaid zone. These may be in form of short- or long-
term lounges with amenities starting from minimum requirements to luxury levels.

3 Design Requirement:-
Concessionaire will survey and analyze the data for the specific requirement for lounges
in terms of numbers and levels of luxury. Adequate toilet facilities will be provided based on
number of passengers using the facilities. The Concessionaire will assess, evaluate and submit
for administrative approval. Adequate numbers of toilet to maintain clean and hygienic situation
at all times.

Platform Construction:-

1. Site Survey:
The Concessionaire shall survey the Site to establish precise boundaries and the existing
ground levels within it. Photographs and videos of the Site shall be taken to provide a full record
of the state of the Site before commencement of construction, with special attention to those
areas that shall have to be reinstated/restored to original conditions. Heritage, religious, and
historic sites that might exist within the site will either be left untouched or replaced.

2. Clearance And Restoration:

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The site is cleared as required by demolishing and removing vegetation, debris, trees
along with their roots, buildings, etc. to approved locations either on or off the site. All
Temporary Works which are not to remain on the Site after the completion of the project
shall be removed prior to the project completion and acceptance as well as during the
construction.

3. Permits:
The Concessionaire is responsible to obtain all necessary approvals and permits, and
pay all associated costs required by the relevant agencies during the construction of the
works.

4. Hoardings And Signboards:

During construction, appropriate signs, signals, and barricades shall be installed to warn
the general public as well as the workers, thereby preventing accidental injuries.

5. Temporary Construction:
All temporary Works, such as piling, foot over-bridges, site lavatories, etc. associated
with the permanent Works shall be designed and operated as per good engineering
practices and pertinent codes.

6. Staging Plan:
The construction shall be staged and sequenced so that the existing station remains
operational at all times. This includes maintenance of all services to the operating facility
as well as other infrastructure/services crossing the site.

7. Platform Drainage:-
Proper drainage provisions are installed to control the storm water from affecting the
platform, buildings and canopies.

8. Fencing:-
In this process the rear end of platform is fenced. The minimum height required should be
1500mm. For voided platforms, fencing should be extended to ground level.

9. Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Manuals:

The Concessionaire shall include specific information about the submission of Operation
and Maintenance manuals on the Project Schedule Document. All submissions of manuals shall
be in accordance with the time frames indicated in the approved Schedule Document. Failure to
submit manuals in accordance with the specified requirements may result in delays in the testing
and acceptance of the Work and in achieving Final Completion and acceptance of the work.
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References:-

www.railwayeng.com

www.mastersportal.eu

www.civil.iitm.ac.in

www.railway-technical.com/statioons.shtml

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

www.wikihow.com