Railway Flashcards
7 cards from real BCE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Railway flashcards as text
What is the standard gauge track width used in the United States?
Answer: 4 ft 8.5 in
The standard gauge of 4 ft 8.5 in (1435 mm) is used in the US and most of the world.
Which type of rail joint is preferred in modern high-speed railway tracks?
Answer: Welded rail (CWR)
Continuously Welded Rail (CWR) eliminates joints, reducing noise, vibration, and maintenance costs on high-speed lines.
What is the primary function of a track ballast in railway construction?
Answer: Distribute load and provide drainage
Ballast distributes wheel loads from sleepers to the subgrade and provides drainage to prevent waterlogging.
The degree of a railway curve in the American system is defined as the angle subtended by a chord of:
Answer: 100 feet
In the American chord definition, the degree of curve is the central angle subtended by a 100-foot chord.
What is the purpose of a cant (superelevation) in railway curves?
Answer: Counteract centrifugal force on curved track
Superelevation raises the outer rail to counteract centrifugal force, allowing trains to negotiate curves at higher speeds safely.
Which sleeper (tie) material offers the best combination of strength and electrical insulating properties?
Answer: Prestressed concrete sleeper
Prestressed concrete sleepers provide high strength, durability, and natural electrical insulation, making them preferred in modern tracks.
The maximum permissible gradient on Indian Railways main lines in plains is:
Answer: 1 in 150
The ruling gradient on Indian Railways main lines in plains is 1 in 150, limiting how steep the track can rise.