Abstract

Drainage of the track is the most important consideration in track design and maintenance. Track must have both internal and external drainage, where internal drainage maximizes the flow of water out of the track and external drainage controls the sources of water having access to the track and ensures that water exiting the track is carried away. Further, both internal and external track drainage must work together. Water has such a dominant effect on the track substructure that poor drainage increases every aspect of track maintenance cost. Despite its fundamental importance, drainage is often given insufficient attention in the design and maintenance of track. This chapter is intended to provide an understanding of the principles of drainage in relation to railway track, and present methodologies for designing and maintaining track drainage systems.