THE ECONOMICS OF STONEBLOWING FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF WAY

British Rail is proposing to purchase a fleet of stoneblowing machines to maintain its track geometry. After a lengthy research and development program, B.R. is now convinced of the economic case for the move to this revolutionary method of track maintenance. Stoneblowing is a method of track surfacing that aims to correct geometrical deterioration by injecting a measured quantity of stone directly under the sleeper (tie) to raise the level of the track. Track that is maintained in this way has a more durable geometry than track maintained by conventional surfacing techniques. Far less make up ballast is required than with conventional surfacing, reducing ballast distribution and regulating costs. This paper describes how these benefits are achieved and shows results directly from the prototype equipment.