Track Induction Course (TIC) Overview

This course is designed to train persons who are new to track and whose work may involve the maintenance, inspection or renewal of the track or other duties that may affect the stability, position or integrity of the track infrastructure. It is designed to develop a person’s knowledge, understanding and skills as defined in the competence standards listed below and is therefore particularly suited to persons required to prove their competence in these areas.

• TR1 – Maintain Permanent Way Assets
• TR2 – Maintain ‘Off Track’ Assets

This course runs for a duration of 10 days and includes the PTS sections. For those who already have PTS competence the PTS section does not need to be re-certified.

Aim of Track Induction Course (TIC)

To provide the basic underpinning knowledge of permanent way construction, components and working methods associated with maintenance, renewal, repair, adjustment and dismantling of permanent way assets. This course also includes First Aid training, Manual handling and fire safety awareness. It also teaches the candidates how to use the tools and carry out the jobs for repair, renewals or maintenance of the railway.

Pre-requisite Requirements For The Track Induction Course (TIC)

Before attending this training a person must be proven medically fit in accordance with NR/L2/CTM/021 Competence and Training in Track Safety. Also, they should have successfully completed the Company Induction Module and Personal Track Safety Training.

Track Induction Course (TIC) Location

The delivery of this training will be split between our training school at Abercynon and our approved training location in Pontyclun.

Track Induction Course (TIC) Learning Objectives

At the end of the training the delegate will be able to:

Identify and describe the function of each of the component parts of the track infrastructure including:

• Plain line and switches and crossings including rails, sleepers, bearers, ballast, fastenings, pads, insulators, clips, fishplates, bolts, tie bars, stretcher bars, switch heaters and lubricators.
• Joints, including insulated joints.
• Adjustment switches
• Drains
• Vegetation
• Civil Engineering Structures, including cuttings, embankment and culverts.
• Signalling equipment signals, point machines, cranks and rodding, AWS inductors, axle counters,
  TPWS track equipment, axle counters, on track and lineside cables.
• OHL equipment including structures; catenaries; earth, red and yellow bonds

Describe the types of routine preventative maintenance undertaken on the permanent way including:

• Measured Shovel Packing
• Slewing the track (Manual & Hydraulic)
• Removal of wet beds
• Rail adjusting including adjustment switches
• Crossing replacement
• Insulated joint renewal
• Fishplate and switch lubrication
• Rail including plain rails and switch and stock rails
• Stressing and re-stressing
• Sleeper and timber changing including longitudinal timbers
• Fastening, pad and insulator replacement
• Packing (Shovel & Kango)
• Handheld Stoneblower
• Rail Lubrication
• The likely impact of each of the above types of work on the safe operation of the railway, what is measured and what is acceptable during repairs under traffic and under possession.
• How the weather can affect the operation of the railway and restrict when work can be done.