Method of installing a railway sleeper

Abstract

An existing railway line is mounted to a fresh concrete sleeper by drilling a hole through a base plate which is attached to the line. A threaded sleeve with a large head is inserted into the hole from below and a threaded shank is passed through the base plate and into the hole from above and is then engaged with the sleeve.

1 . A method of installing a railway sleeper comprising the steps of: 
 marking an elongate cast cementitious member at a plurality of locations;    forming a plurality of holes through the member, each hole being at a respective location;    placing at least a first element of a respective fastener in each respective hole; positioning the member below a railway line; and    engaging a second element of the respective fastener, with the first element, thereby securing the railway line to the member.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the member is marked at the plurality of locations by placing the member in a position, below the railway line, at which the member is to be secured to the railway line.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  which includes the step of determining the positions of the holes, which are formed in the member, by reference to holes in at least one base plate to which the railway line is attached.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the holes are formed by drilling the member in situ.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the first element is fixed in position using a grout or an adhesive.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the first element is mounted in an insulating holder.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the first element of a fastener is inserted into a respective hole in the cementitious member, from a lower side and a second element is inserted into the hole, from an upper side, and then engaged with the first element.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the first element has a head which bears on a surface of the lower side, and the second element is an elongate bolt.  
   
   
       9 . A railway sleeper which comprising: 
 an elongate cementitious body with an upper side and a lower side;    at least two base plates which are at spaced apart locations on the upper side and, for each base plate;    at least two fasteners securing the base plate to the body, each fastener extending through respective registering holes in the body and in the base plate and including an internally threaded sleeve with a first head which bears against one of an upper side of the base plate and the lower side of the body; and    a shank which is threadedly engaged with the sleeve and which has a second head which bears against the other of the upper side of the base plate and the lower side of the body.    
   
   
       10 . A railway line fastener comprising: 
 an internally threaded metallic sleeve having an open mouth and an enlarged first head, and    a shank having a second head and being threaded over one end and which is threadedly engageable with the metallic sleeve.    
   
   
       11 . A fastener according to  claim 10  which includes an insulating sleeve which is engaged with the shank.  
   
   
       12 . A fastener according to  claim 10  wherein the sleeve has a plurality of friction enhancing formations on an outer surface.