vágánykészítés

Vágánykészítés, often translated as track laying or track construction, refers to the process of building railway tracks. This involves several key stages, beginning with the preparation of the formation, which is the prepared groundbed upon which the track will rest. This includes excavation, filling, and grading to ensure a stable and level foundation.

Once the formation is ready, ballast is spread and compacted. Ballast is typically crushed stone, which provides drainage and distributes the load from the track components to the formation. Sleepers, also known as ties, are then laid on the ballast at regular intervals. These sleepers serve to hold the rails at the correct gauge and to transfer the load from the rails to the ballast.

The rails, which are the steel beams that trains run on, are then placed on top of the sleepers. Rails are typically joined together to form long lengths, either through bolting fishplates or by welding. The gauge, the distance between the inner edges of the two rails, is crucial for safe operation and is maintained by the sleepers and the fastening system. Fastenings, such as clips and bolts, secure the rails to the sleepers.

Finally, the track is aligned and surfaced. Alignment refers to the horizontal position of the track, ensuring it follows the planned route, while surfacing involves adjusting the height of the sleepers in the ballast to create a smooth and level running surface. This entire process requires specialized machinery and skilled labor to ensure the construction of safe and durable railway lines.