SSC JE Exam - railway engineering permanent way sleepers ballast track geometry points crossings stations yards One Line Questions & Answers

1. What is the minimum clearance required between two adjacent tracks in a standard gauge yard? — 4 meters

2. What is the minimum radius of curvature generally recommended for main lines to ensure safety and comfort? — 500 meters

3. The maximum allowable cant on Indian broad gauge lines is typically around: — 100 mm

4. What is a 'catch point'? — A point intended to prevent a runaway vehicle from moving onto the main line.

5. Which of the following is a characteristic of a 'yard' in railway engineering? — An area with multiple tracks for sorting, storing, and assembling trains.

6. What is the 'track circuit' in railway signaling? — An electrical circuit that uses the rails to detect the presence or absence of a train.

7. The 'track renewal' process involves: — Replacing worn-out rails, sleepers, and ballast.

8. The vertical distance between the top surface of the rail and the top surface of the ballast is known as: — Ballast depth

9. The process of removing the ballast from beneath the sleepers and replacing it with clean ballast is called: — Ballast cleaning

10. Which of the following is NOT a standard railway gauge in India? — Standard gauge

11. What is the term for the lateral displacement of a rail under the load of a moving train? — Creep

12. A 'transition curve' in track geometry is used to: — Connect a straight section to a circular curve.

13. What is the term for the phenomenon where rails tend to buckle or wave laterally under compressive stress, especially in hot weather? — Buckling

14. When rails are joined end-to-end, the gap created due to thermal expansion is called: — Expansion gap

15. What is the typical material used for ballast in heavy-traffic railway lines? — Crushed stone (granite, basalt)

16. Which type of rail fastening is commonly used with concrete sleepers? — Clip fastenings (e.g., Pandrol clips)

17. What is the primary advantage of using 'welded rails' (continuous welded rails - CWR)? — Elimination of rail joints, leading to a smoother ride and reduced maintenance.

18. A 'crossing' (also known as a frog) in a railway track is used to: — Guide the wheels of a train across an opposing rail.

19. The 'flange' of a railway wheel is designed to: — Guide the wheel along the rail and prevent it from derailing.

20. A 'point' in railway engineering is a device used for: — Allowing a train to change from one track to another.

21. What is the main advantage of using 'elastic rail clips' compared to older fastening systems? — Better load distribution and ability to absorb vibration.

22. In a 'hump yard', the sorting of wagons is done by: — Gravity, using a hump (an artificial mound).

23. The 'shoulders' of the ballast are the ballast material provided: — On the sides of the sleepers, beyond their ends.

24. A 'scissors crossing' allows a train to cross from one track to another: — In either direction, on the same level.

25. A 'marshalling yard' is primarily used for: — Sorting and assembling goods wagons into trains.

26. The function of ballast in a railway track is to: —

27. A 'running yard' is designed for: — Quick passage of through trains with minimal delay.

28. The 'cant' or 'superelevation' in a railway track is provided on: — Curved sections of the track.

29. What is the 'gauge' of a railway track? — The distance between the inner faces of the two rails.

30. What is the 'formation' of a railway track? — The prepared ground surface on which the ballast is laid.

31. What is the critical factor for determining the maximum permissible speed on a curve? — The degree of the curve and the amount of cant provided.

32. The 'sleeper density' refers to: — The number of sleepers per kilometer of track.

33. The 'heel' of a switch rail in a point refers to: — The end that is fixed to the stock rail.

34. What is the 'degree of curve' for a railway track? — The angle subtended at the center by a 100-meter chord.

35. The 'formation width' of a railway track typically refers to: — The width of the prepared ground surface at the top of the embankment or bottom of the cutting.

36. Which type of station layout is characterized by a single platform serving trains traveling in both directions? — Island platform station

37. What is the primary purpose of a 'station' in railway operations? — To provide facilities for passengers to board and alight, and for loading/unloading goods.

38. What is the purpose of 'drainage' in railway track construction? — To prevent waterlogging and weakening of the formation and ballast.

39. What is the function of a 'trap point' or 'derailer'? — To derail a train accidentally moving onto a dangerous section of track.

40. What is the purpose of a 'carriage and wagon (C&W) yard'? — To store and maintain passenger coaches and goods wagons.

41. What is the primary function of sleepers in a railway track? — All of the above.

42. What is the primary purpose of providing cant (superelevation) on curves? — To counteract the centrifugal force acting on the train.

43. What is the purpose of a 'check rail' or 'guard rail' in a crossing? — To prevent derailment by guiding the wheel flange.

44. The main components of a simple turn-out (a type of point) are: — Tongue rails, stock rails, and crossing.

45. A 'through station' is a station where: — Trains can move in any direction on multiple platforms.

46. A 'bay platform' is typically used for: — Trains that terminate or originate at the station.

47. A 'level crossing' is a point where: — A railway track crosses a road at the same level.

48. In a 'juniper crossing' (a type of crossing), the angle of crossing is typically: — Very acute (e.g., 1 in 8.5)

49. Which type of sleeper is most commonly used in modern railway construction due to its durability and low maintenance? — Concrete sleepers

railway engineering permanent way sleepers ballast track geometry points crossings stations yards - One Line Questions