P.T.C. Sleeper Management Strategies

The P.T.C. provides an economical and uniform standard of track through the use of durable hardwood sleepers, simple fastenings, and a well developed strategy for cyclic spot renewal of carefully selected sleepers. These aspects are described in detail. The traditional timber sleepers are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, so planning is in hand for more widespread introduction of concrete sleepers, and the possible use of steel sleepers. Options, proposed strategies, technical issues, and financial aspects are discussed.