Section I. Surfacing
1.2.
GENERAL
Surface and level are the relationships of the rails with respect to height, as paragraph 1.7 of RT 670
explains. Tangent track is in proper surface and cross level only when an imaginary plane rests evenly on the
rails. Any deviation results in improper surface and rough riding. To restore proper surface and cross level, the
low spots are raised to match the high ones by surfacing.
The remaining paragraphs of the section discuss the two methods of surfacing--spot and out of face; the
procedures for raising track and for distributing and spreading ballast; the work to be done in surfacing, and the
workmen required, their supervision, and safety procedures to be followed.
1.3.
SPOT SURFACING
Several low joints have been found in the westbound track of the 4-kilometer section east of Banks--the
same stretch of track that was out-of-face surfaced just last fall. But after the track supervisor inspects the track,
he authorizes the track foreman to spot-surface the joints to keep them from getting worse. The track supervisor
is assured that no new ballast is required because the raise needed at the worst places is only 1 1/2 inches, and no
surface runoffs* are needed. The track foreman also says that this minor "spotting" can be done while the track
remains in service. As he talks, the thought occurs to the track supervisor that, because the foreman is
experienced, he will have no trouble in determining the correct raise by eye.
Spot surfacing, or "spotting," then, is used to correct minor defects in elevation. It involves raising
isolated low spots level with the rest of the track.
1.4.
OUT-OF-FACE SURFACING
As the track foreman leaves to go back to work, the track supervisor recalls the out-of-face surfacing done
on that stretch
*A surface runoff is the grade through which the raised portion of a track is connected with the old grade. It
usually consists of a long, easy slope.
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