Critical Rail Temperature (CRT) Management

Course Aims

The course is intended to provide the delegate with a clear understanding of the management of sites that have a risk of track buckles i.e. CWR sites with a low or unknown Stress Free Temperature (SFT). Suitable for CRT Co-ordinators, Senior Technicians as well as Supervisors, Maintenance Managers, Renewals Engineers, Project Managers and Site Supervisors.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course the delegates will:

  • Have an appreciation of temperature induced forces in the rail in CWR.
  • Have a clear understanding of the importance of knowing the Stress Free Temperature (SFT)
  • Be aware of the Network Rail standards and requirements to manage high risk sites
  • Be able to set up procedures to record SFT by mileage, line and rail and thus identify risk sites
  • Be able to set up a geographical rail temperature monitoring procedure with reporting to identify when criticality has been reached
  • Be able to calculate the three CRT values that will provide “action triggers” for an “at risk” site
  • Know when to deploy resources to monitor individual sites
  • Be aware of the need to reduce speed or block the line and have the necessary equipment available
  • Be able to plan the necessary stressing of the at risk sites in the given priority

Course Duration

3 days, including stressing of CWR appreciation

Pre-requisites

There are no particular educational or competence pre-requisites for the course. However, the following factors will benefit the delegate.

  • Sound understanding of the Permanent Way and its components
  • Prior experience of site work

Personal Protective Equipment

Is not required for this course.

Certification

A Certificate of Training will be awarded to the delegate upon completion of the course.