Title - Railway workshop to make rubber plates for track applications

Engaged in major rolling stock activities including manufacture of container wagons and steam locomotives besides carrying out periodic overhaul of diesel engines, the Golden Rock Railway Workshop here will soon embark on a new activity of producing grooved rubber sole plates for track application.The over 85-year-old nodal workshop of the Indian Railways has received in principle sanction for the latest activity from the Southern Railway headquarters.The workshop would be investing Rs.1 crore sanctioned by the Southern Railway towards procurement of machinery to execute the new work using its well-established infrastructure and skilled technical workforce.Milling machine, kneading machine, calendaring machine, and hand moulding machine are proposed to be procured for the manufacture of grooved rubber plates, each of which would be four to five millimetre thickness.To start with, the workshop intends to produce five to 10 lakh grooved rubber sole plates per annum and supply them to the Southern Railway. Natural rubber would be used as one of the basic raw materials for the production.The grooved rubber sole plates are placed between concrete sleepers and the track to absorb vibrations and shock when a train runs on the railway line. The plates provide a cushioning effect ensuring better riding quality.The rubber plates were being supplied by private manufacturers to the railways, officials say adding that the workshop had evinced interest in producing them. The production is expected to start before this year.Alongside approving the new project and earmarking funds, the Southern Railway has also sanctioned Rs.1 crore each for extending the electrical maintenance shop; carry out improvements to the toilets; and for the construction of a gas storage shed inside the workshop.Housing over 25 different types of shops, the sprawling workshop also carries out periodic overhaul of air-conditioned and non air-conditioned passenger coaches besides constructing stainless steel body BOX-N wagons.