The world has been taking measures to improve the cleanliness of railroad tracks for many years. The cleaning methods and technologies used vary from country to country, reflecting the different needs of their individual systems. Here we look at how the cleaning of railroad tracks differs across the world.
In the United States, large railroads such as Amtrak and Union Pacific have been taking measures to improve the cleanliness of their rails for many years. Union Pacific has a five-step process for rail cleaning and maintenance, which includes wet sweeping, vacuum-sucking and pressure washing. Amtrak has also made changes to its cleaning efforts, using recycled steel balls, automated bio-scrubbers and chemical cleaners to remove dirt, sand and rust from its tracks.
In Europe, many countries are doing their part to keep their railroads clean. The German rail network has implemented a system called “RailCare” which is designed to keep railroads clean and create fewer noise problems. Taking measures such as removing weeds and grasses, cleaning up spillages and going over rail lines with high-pressure washers, RailCare has been successful in keeping the tracks in Germany clean and safe.
In China, a special cleaning programme called “Jing Run” has been implemented in order to keep tracks along the Beijing-Huainan Railway free from dirt and dust. The programme involves the use of train-mounted vacuum cleaners and brush-equipped trucks to help remove dirt and clean up the tracks. The resulting effect is much cleaner rail tracks, allowing for improved efficiency in the transportation of goods and passengers.
In Japan, the country has gone to extreme lengths to keep the tracks on its railway network clean. In some cases, workers have resorted to using toothbrushes to scrub dirt and debris off the tracks. Japan has also experimented with using lasers to clean sides of railway tracks as well as to apply coats of rust-preventative paint.
In South Korea, the Seoul Metropolitan Railway Corporation has developed its own cleaning system, which is known as the “green clean system”. The system uses a combination of high-pressure washers, steam cleaners and robots. The robots use brushes and blades to remove dirt, dust and other debris from the tracks. Additionally, the system is energy-efficient, as it uses a combination of solar and battery-powered units to perform the cleaning tasks.
There are many different methods used to keep the tracks and rails clean around the world. The methods used vary depending on the needs of the country. However, one thing is certain: keeping the tracks clean is important in ensuring that railways are safe and efficient.