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Alternative Timber Species for Railway Sleepers

M. A. Sattar
Director (Ex.)
Seasoning and Timber Physics Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Chittagong.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Based on availability and strength properties, eight indigenous species were selected as alternatives to Garjan for use as railway sleepers. The sleepers were put to service test in the main track of the Bangladesh Railway. The performance of seven of them has been found satisfactory and, therefore, are recommended for use as railway sleepers.

Keywords: Strength properties, Indigenous species, Garjan, Railway sleepers

Location:

Start Date: 00-00-0000

End Date: 00-00-0000

Program Area: Variety and Species

Commodity: Timber

Objectives:

To find out a group of alternative timber species for sleepers

Methodology:

Based on the availability and the relevant mechanical properties, five species from hill forests and one species from mangrove forest were initially selected for the investigation. Jam (Syzygium grande), Kanak (Schima wallichii), Batna (Quercus spp.), Pitraj (Aphanamixis polystachya) and Shill Bhadi (Garuga pinnata) were procured from the timber merchants of Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts through the Forest Utilization Division. Sleepers of the individual species were inspected and passed by the concerning officer of the Bangladesh Railway in accordance with the specifications for hardwood railway sleepers (Bangladesh standard, 1976). It was later found out that Kainjal Bhadi (Bischofia javanica) and Jial Bhadi (Lannea coromandelica) were mixed up with the Shil Bhadi sleepers. Because of difficulties in segregation of the different species of Bhadi, it was thought practical to accept the three species of Bhadi as a group. Metre gauge sleepers, between 467 and 600 in number, of each species were procured. The sleepers, 183 cm ´ 21 cm ´ 12 cm, were taken to Kanchannagar treating plant of the Bangladesh Railway. These were stacked in the open yard for about two months for air drying. Sleepers were also dried at the site of passing where these were lying for two to four weeks awaiting 20 sleepers were randomly selected from each species. The moisture content of outer 2.5 cm thick zone of these sleepers was determined with the help of an electric moisture meter. Sleepers were then treated in the treating cylinder of the Bangladesh Railway following the process currently practiced with Garjan sleepers. The Full cell pressure treatment process was applied with a modification of heating the sleepers in the initial sequence. A mixture of creosote and furnace oil in the ratio of 40:60 was used as preservative. On completion of the treatment, the penetration and absorption of the preservative into sleepers and the moisture content of the 2.5 cm thick zone of treated sleepers were determined.

The sleepers were then placed in the main rail track during August-September, 1977 by the Bangladesh Railway for service test. Kanak sleepers were placed near Kadamtali Railway crossing and Jam, Batna, Bhadi and Pitraj sleepers were placed near Kaibalyadham Railway Station. Field inspections were made at the end of each wet and dry season and were continued till March, 1981. The performance of the sleepers could not be evaluated further due to removal of the sleepers from the track. One mangrove species, viz., Sundri (Heritiera fomes) was included for this study. The half round sundri sleepers were air dried and treated following the same procedures as were done in case of other experimental sleepers. 375 Sundri sleepers were placed in the track near the Chittagong Railway Station during January, 1979. The performance evaluation of these sleepers was continued till March, 1984.

Source of Information: Bano biggyan patrika, Vol :13 (1 & 2),jan-July 1984,1-6

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The physical and mechanical properties of seven alternative timber species, viz., Jam, Batna, Kanak, shil Bhadi, Jial Bhadi, Kainjal Bhadi and Sundri compare favorably with those of Garjan. These species are acceptable as alternative species for railway sleepers.The sleepers should be properly dried to about 25 percent moisture content prior to preservative treatment. Proper anti-check iron clamps should also be fixed to the ends of the sleepers containing permissible pith to reduce the drying degrade and thereby avoiding undue rejection of sleepers in service.The performance of the sleepers made from the alternative species was found satisfactory in the main metre gauge track of the Bangladesh Railway.All the seven species are recommended for use as railway sleepers in order to reduce the dependency on Garjan and imported sleepers.

Knowledge Management: Journal