1
Q
This is a mode of land transportation that uses trains running on steel rails to move
people and goods from one place to another. It consists of a track system that
guides the movement of trains and provides a smooth and continuous pathway.
A
railway
2
Q
This includes all physical and structural
components that support, protect, and maintain the railway system. It is not only limited to the tracks, but also includes bridges, tunnels, culverts, embankments,
drainage systems, and stations.
A
railway structure
3
Q
IMPORTANCE OF RAILWAYS IN TRANSPORTATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH/ DEVELOPMENT
A
Provides Efficient and Reliable Transportation
Supports Economic Development and Trade
Promotes Regional Connectivity and Tourism
4
Q
Role of Railway Design
A
Strength
Stability
Safety
Efficiency
5
Q
Ensures safe load-bearing capacity of all railway components.
A
Strength
6
Q
Keeps the entire railway structure steady and balanced under different conditions.
A
Stability
7
Q
Protects passengers and equipment by
preventing accidents or structural failures.
A
Safety
8
Q
Promotes long-term durability and smooth
operation of railway system.
A
Efficiency
9
Q
MAIN PARTS OF A RAILWAY BRIDGE
A
Substructure
Superstructure
Bearing
Approach and Rail Track
10
Q
The lower part of the bridge that supports the entire structure. This transfers the load from the bridge deck to the ground.
A
Substructure
11
Q
The upper part of the bridge that carries the railway track and traffic load. This bears the weight of trains and transfers it to the substructure.
A
Superstructure
12
Q
A small but important part that connects the superstructure and substructure.
It allows controlled movement due to train loads, temperature, and vibrations.
A
Bearing
13
Q
The track leading to and from the
bridge. It ensures smooth transition and safety of train operations.
A
Approach and Rail Track
14
Q
This is the surface where the railway
track is placed. It directly carries the load of trains and transfers it to the main bridge structure.
A
Bridge Deck
15
Q
4 TYPES OF BRIDGE DECKS
A
Open Deck
Ballast Deck
Steel Deck
Concrete Deck
16
Q
The railway track is placed directly on the bridge’s steel or timber girders.
A
Open Deck
17
Q
Has a layer of ballast (stones) placed on the deck to hold the sleepers and track in position.
A
Ballast Deck
18
Q
A bridge floor made of steel that supports the railway track.
A
Steel Deck
19
Q
A bridge floor made of concrete (reinforced or prestressed).
A
Concrete Deck
20
Q
BASIC COMPONENTS OF RAILWAY SYSTEM
A
Track System
Structures
Support Facilities
21
Q
Essential elements for railway operation and stability.
A
Track System
22
Q
Critical constructions like bridges and tunnels.
A
Structures
23
Q
Infrastructure for passenger and freight
services.
A
Support Facilities
24
Q
It is a key component for railway stability and safety. It is a structural and geometrical system that provides guided
path for trains while distributing loads
safely to the structure.
A
Track System
25
Track System
Subsoil (Natural Ground)
Subgrade
Formation Layer
Sub-ballast
Ballast
Sleeper (Ties)
Rails
26
THIS IS THE VERY BOTTOM LAYER OF THE RAILWAY STRUCTURE. ITS PROPERTIES ARE INFLUENCED BY VARIOUS FACTORS, INCLUDING SOIL TYPE, MOISTURE CONTENT, AND DEPTH. PROPER ANALYSIS AND DESIGN ARE ESSENTIAL TO PREVENT
ISSUES SUCH AS SETTLEMENT, EROSION, AND FAILURE OF THE RAILWAY FORMATION.
SUBSOIL
27
THIS IS THE PREPARED LAYER OF NATIVE SOIL OR AGGREGATE MATERIAL THAT LIES DIRECTLY BENEATH A CONSTRUCTED ROAD, PAVEMENT, OR RAILWAY TRACK, SERVING AS THE FOUNDATION AND
LOAD-BEARING LAYER FOR THE OVERLYING STRUCTURE.
SUBGRADE
28
IT IS A CRUCIAL PART OF THE RAILWAY'S SUBSTRUCTURE, DESIGNED TO TRANSMIT AND SPREAD THE LOADS FROM TRAINS TO THE SUBGRADE AND PROTECT THE TRACK FROM FACTORS LIKE WATER AND FROST.
FORMATION LAYER
29
THIS IS A LAYER OF GRANULAR MATERIAL LOCATED DIRECTLY BENEATH THE MAIN BALLAST LAYER, SERVING TO IMPROVE LOAD DISTRIBUTION FROM THE BALLAST TO THE UNDERLYING SUBGRADE. ITS MAIN FUNCTIONS ARE TO PROTECT THE SUBGRADE FROM HIGH STRESS, ENSURE STABILITY, AND AID IN DRAINAGE.
SUB-BALLAST
30
THIS IS THE LAYER OF COARSE, ANGULAR
MATERIAL (USUALLY CRUSHED STONE) PLACED UNDER AND AROUND RAILROAD TRACKS TO PROVIDE A STABLE FOUNDATION FOR THE SLEEPERS AND RAILS. IT MUST BE HARD AND DURABLE, TYPICALLY MADE FROM CRUSHED GRANITE OR BASALT.
BALLAST
31
THESE ARE HORIZONTAL SUPPORTS LAID
PERPENDICULAR TO THE RAILS THAT HOLD THEM IN PLACE, MAINTAIN THE CORRECT TRACK GAUGE, AND TRANSFER THE WEIGHT OF TRAINS TO THE BALLAST AND SUBGRADE BELOW.
RAILWAY SLEEPERS OR RAILROAD TIES
32
TYPES OF SLEEPERS
Concrete Sleepers
Steel Sleepers
Composite Sleepers
33
THESE ARE THE HIGH-STRENGTH STEEL
BEAMS THAT FORM THE TRACKS ON
WHICH TRAINS TRAVEL, PROVIDING A
SMOOTH SURFACE AND GUIDING THE
WHEELS.
RAILS
34
THIS REFERS TO THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE INNER EDGES OF THE TWO PARALLEL RAILS ON A RAILWAY TRACK.
RAILROAD GAUGE
35
THE MOST WIDELY USED GAUGE IS 1,435 MM (4 FT 8.5 IN), KNOWN AS THE ____________________, WHICH IS ESSENTIAL FOR ENSURING COMPATIBILITY AND INTEROPERABILITY AMONG DIFFERENT RAILWAY SYSTEMS WORLDWIDE.
STANDARD GAUGE
36
TYPES OF RAILROAD GAUGE
STANDARD RAILROAD GAUGE
NARROW GAUGE
BROAD GAUGE
METER GAUGE
37
USED BY ABOUT 55% OF THE WORLD'S RAILWAY LINES, IT ALLOWS FOR THE MOVEMENT OF STANDARD-SIZED TRAINS AND LOCOMOTIVES.
STANDARD GAUGE
38
TYPICALLY 762 MM (30 IN) OR 610 MM (24 IN), IT IS CHEAPER TO BUILD AND BETTER SUITED FOR MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.
NARROW GAUGE
39
WIDER THAN STANDARD GAUGE, IT IS USED FOR HEAVY LOADS AND HIGHER SPEEDS, BUT CAN BE MORE CHALLENGING TO CONSTRUCT.
BROAD GAUGE
40
REFERS TO NARROW-GAUGE RAILWAYS WITH A TRACK GAUGE OF 1 METER (1,000 MM).
METER GAUGE
41
USED FOR FIXING RAILS TO RAILWAY
SLEEPERS.
FASTENERS
42
USED TO FIX THE RAILROAD TRACK TO UNDERLYING BASEPLATE AND SLEEPERS. ITS CLAMPING FORCE HELPS MAINTAIN THE GAUGE AND PREVENT THE RAIL FROM
MOVING IN THE VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL DIRECTION RELATIVE TO
THE SLEEPER.
RAIL CLIP
43
ITS MAIN APPLICATION IS FOR CRANES. FOR THE INSTALLATION METHOD, THEY CAN BE DIVIDED INTO BOLTED OR WELDED.
RAIL CLAMP
44
THIS IS A MATERIAL AVAILABLE TO DECREASE THE VIBRATION TRANSMITTED FROM THE RAILS TO THE SLEEPER OR SUBGRADE. IT IS INSERTED IN BETWEEN THE RAIL AND BASEPLATE OR SLEEPER.
RAIL PAD OR RAILWAY RUBBER PAD
45
THESE BOLTS CONNECT TWO RAILS TOGETHER, ALLOWING THEM TO BE FIRMLY FIXED TO THE SLEEPERS OR TIES. THESE ARE ESSENTIAL COMPONENT IN ENSURING THE SAFETY AND STABILITY OF THE RAILWAY SYSTEM, AS THEY PROVIDE THE NECESSARY CLAMPING FORCE TO PREVENT THE RAILS FROM MOVING OR SHIFTING.
FISH BOLTS
46
THIS IS A COMPONENT THAT JOINT RAILS END-TO-END.
RAIL JOINTS OR FISHPLATE OR JOINT BAR
47
ACCORDING TO DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS, RAIL JOINTS CAN BE DIVIDED INTO:
BOLTED RAIL JOINTS
COMPROMISE RAIL JOINTS
INSULATED RAIL JOINTS
48
Types of Rail Joint
1. Supported Rail Joint
2. Suspended Rail Joint
3. Bridge Rail Joint
4. Welded Rail Joint
5. Staggered Rail Joint
49
In this joint, the rail ends are directly supported on the sleeper. This joint is expected to reduce the wear and tear in rails by preventing a cantilever action. However, the support still tends to raise the height of the ends of the rail.
Supported Rail Joint
50
In this type of joint, the rail ends are suspended between the sleepers, with some rail portion being cantilevered. Due to the cantilever action, the sleeper packing becomes loose due to a hammering action by the loads from the moving trains. These are the most commonly used joints on railway systems in the world.
Suspended Rail Joint
51
This joint is almost similar to the suspended joint. The only difference is that the two sleepers on both sides are joined by a flat metal or corrugated plate. This plate is also called a bridge plate.
Bridge Rail Joint
52
This is a method of joining two rail ends together using heat to eliminate the gaps that traditional rail joints create. This process enhances the structural integrity of the railway track, allowing for smoother train operations and reducing the likelihood of derailments caused by joint failures.
Welded Rail Joint
53
In this type of joint, joints in one rail are
staggered and aren’t exactly opposite to the joints in the other rail. These joints are generally used on curved tracks as they reduce the centrifugal force pushing the track in the outward direction.
Staggered Rail Joint
54
AS ITS NAME INDICATES, IT IS A COMPONENT FOR ROLLING STOCKS TO TURN FROM ONE TRACK TO ANOTHER. IT IS USUALLY LAID IN LARGE NUMBERS AT STOP STATIONS AND MARSHALLING STATIONS. WITH THESE, YOU CAN GIVE FULL PLAY TO THE PASSING CAPACITY OF THE LINE.
RAILROAD SWITCH OR TURNOUT
55
THESE ARE DEVICES USED TO CONTROL TRAIN MOVEMENT AND ENSURE
SAFETY BY GIVING INSTRUCTIONS TO TRAIN DRIVERS. THEY INDICATE WHETHER THE TRAIN SHOULD STOP, PROCEED, OR SLOW DOWN, DEPENDING ON THE TRACK
CONDITION AHEAD.
RAILWAY SIGNALS
56
5 TYPES OF SIGNALS
1. Stop Signal
2. Warner or Distant Signal
3. Permissive Signal
4. Shunting Signal
5. Automatic Signal
57
These signals control train movement and ensure safety by stopping or allowing trains to proceed. Its purpose is to maintain safe distance between trains.
Stop Signals
58
4 TYPES OF STOP SIGNALS
1. OUTER SIGNAL
2. HOME SIGNAL
3. STARTER SIGNAL
4. ROUTING SIGNAL
59
Placed before the Home Signal, usually some distance away from a station. Its purpose it to warn the driver that the train is approaching a station and must be ready to stop at the Home Signal if needed. It acts as an advance
warning for the Home Signal.
Outer Signal
60
It is located at the entrance of a station or block section. It controls the entry of a train into the station area or block section.
It ensures that the line ahead is clear and safe before allowing the train to proceed.
Home Signal
61
Placed at the end of a station platform or yard, just before the train enters
the next block section (main line). Its purpose is to control the departure of a train from the station or yard. It ensures that the section of track ahead is clear and safe for the train to proceed. It shows “Stop” (Red) when the next block is occupied or unsafe. Shows “Proceed” (Green) when the line ahead is clear.
It allows the train to start its journey toward the next section safely.
Stater Signal
62
Located near junctions or points where tracks divide or merge. It indicates which route or tracks the train will take. It helps guide the driver to the correct line or platform safely.
Routing Signal
63
These give advance warning of what the next stop signal shows. These let drivers reduce speed in time if a stop is ahead.
Warner or Distant Signals
64
“Caution, prepare to stop.”
Yellow
65
“Proceed, the next signal is clear.”
Green
66
These allow trains to proceed with caution even if the section ahead may not be fully clear. Used mostly in low-speed or yard areas. These prevent delays while keeping operations safe.
Permissive Signals
67
Used for shunting or switching trains inside stations or yards. These allow movement of trains within the yard for rearranging coaches or engines. Usually smaller than main signals.
Shunting Signals
68
Work automatically using track circuits or sensors—no signalman needed. These control train spacing automatically in busy routes.
Automatic Signals
69
Track Structures
RAILWAY BRIDGES
TUNNELS
CULVERTS
DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
70
THESE ARE ELEVATED STRUCTURES THAT CARRIES THE RAILWAY LINE ACROSS OBSTACLES SUCH AS RIVERS, ROADS, OR DEEP VALLEYS.
RAILWAY BRIDGES
71
THESE ARE UNDERGROUND PASSAGES THAT ALLOW TRAINS TO PASS THROUGH OBSTACLES LIKE MOUNTAINS, BUILDINGS, OR BODIES OF WATER, PROVIDING SHORTER STRAIGHTER ROUTES.
RAILWAY TUNNELS
72
THIS IS A TUNNEL-LIKE STRUCTURE BUILT UNDER A RAILWAY LINE TO ALLOW WATER, AND SOMETIMES CABLES, TO PASS UNDERNEATH. IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR MANAGING WATER FLOW, PREVENTING TRACK EROSION, AND ENSURING THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE RAILWAY.
RAILWAY CULVERT
73
THIS MANAGES SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE WATER TO PROTECT THE TRACK INFRASTRUCTURE FROM DAMAGE AND EROSION.
RAILWAY DRAINAGE SYSTEM
74
ITS PURPOSE IS TO COLLECT AND CARRY AWAY WATER THAT FALLS DIRECTLY ONTO THE TRACK AREA FROM RAIN, SNOW, OR ADJACENT SOURCES.
SURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
75
ITS PURPOSE IS TO REMOVE WATER THAT IS BELOW THE GROUND'S SURFACE TO
PREVENT SATURATION OF THE BALLAST AND SUBGRADE, WHICH CAN WEAKEN THE TRACK FOUNDATION.
SUB-SURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
76
Essential structures for efficient railway
operations and safety.
Support Facilities
77
Support Facilities
Stations
Platforms
Retaining Walls
Embankments
78
IT'S A DESIGNATED POINT WHERE TRAINS HALT TO ALLOW PASSENGERS TO BOARD OR ALIGHT AND TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN GOODS.
STATIONS
79
PROVIDE SAFE WAITING AREAS FOR PASSENGERS.
PLATFORMS
80
SUPPORT EARTH AND PREVENT LANDSLIDES.
RETAINING WALLS
81
RAISE TRACKS ABOVE SURROUNDING
TERRAIN.
EMBANKMENT
82
Philippine National Railways (PNR) main
lines use ___________ gauge.
1,067 mm
83
For new major rail projects (e.g. NSCR ‒ North South Commuter Railway, Metro Manila Subway), the standard gauge of __________.
1,435 mm
84
This is the geometric design or physical shape of a railway track in both the horizontal and vertical directions.
Track geometry
85
Horizontal and vertical layout of the track
Alignment
86
Slope of the track
Gradient
87
In the Philippines, railway gradients are
kept gentle, usually between _______________ to _______________.
1 in 200 to 1 in 400
88
This is the raising of the outer rail (the rail on the outside of a curve) higher than the inner rail.
Superelevation or cant
89
Track Geometry
Alignment
Gradient
Super-elevation
Gauge
Sleeper Spacing
90
These are the forces or weights that act on a structure.
Loads
91
In railway engineering, these come from the train, the structure’s own weight, and
external factors like wind, temperature, and earthquakes.
Loads
92
TYPES OF LOADS
LIVE LOAD
DEAD LOAD
ENVIRONMENTAL LOAD
93
This is the permanent weight of the
structure itself, such as rails, sleepers,
and bridges.
Dead Load
94
These are moving or changing loads caused by trains, passengers, and cargo.
Live Load
95
Loads caused by natural environmental effects such as weather, temperature, and earth movement.
Environmental Load
96
Common Railway Design Codes and Standards
National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP 2015)
DPWH Design Guidelines, Criteria, and Standards (DGCS)
AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering
Eurocode (EN 1991–1999)
UIC Standards (International Union of Railways)
97
Sets the standards for structural design, including loads, seismic, and wind requirements to ensure safety and stability of railway structures.
National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP 2015)
98
Provides design and construction criteria for public infrastructure such as bridges, embankments, and drainage systems used in railways.
DPWH Design Guidelines, Criteria, and Standards (DGCS)
99
Serves as a reference for track structure design, covering rails, sleepers, ballast, and subgrade.
AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering
100
Provides international standards for structural and geotechnical design, used in modern railway projects like the Metro Manila Subway.
Eurocode (EN 1991–1999)
101
Ensures safety, interoperability, and quality across railway systems through global design and operation standards.
UIC Standards (International Union of Railways)
102
PNR Operations
Inspection, Training, Track Maintenance, & Rail Infrastructure Construction
HRE
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