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Ageing rail line breaking down
- Published: 27 Apr 2012 at 09.53
- Online news: Easier Stuff
The SRT governors admits 60 percent of nation's rail tracks are old and could cause more derailments like the one at Don Muang last Tuesday, but replacing them will be a long-term process.
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A crude oil tanker train derailed opposite the warehouse of Don Mueang airport in Bangkok on Tuesday, an accident blamed on old tracks warped by the hot weather. THITI WANNAMONTHA
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Nation’s rail tracks need replacing
POST REPORTERS
Sixty percent of rail tracks nationwide are old and run-down and could cause derailments, State Railway of Thailand governor Yutthana Thapcharoen says.
He said old tracks bend and warp in the searing summer heat. This was the reason why the crude oil tanker train jumped the tracks opposite the warehouse of Don Mueang airport on Tuesday.
Rail tracks span 4,300km nationwide. Of these, 40% are new tracks supported by concrete sleepers. The majority of tracks, however, are between 20 to 30 years old laid on wooden sleepers, some of which may be worn out.
A railway staff member sprays water on the tracks to prevent them from warping and bending in the scorching summer heat. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD
He said old tracks are especially susceptible to warping amid soaring summer temperatures.
Problems with warped tracks occur mostly between noon and 3pm, when heat accumulates on the tracks. Warping can occur when track temperatures exceed 50C.
Mr Yutthana said he had ordered railway station staff to regularly check the state of the lines under their supervision. Water will be sprayed over the hot tracks.
Additional gravel will be used to secure the tracks and keep them from bending outward. Over the long run, the SRT would replace the old tracks, he said.
ageing – the process of growing old การเปลี่ยนตามวัย
crude – oil that is still in its natural state and has not yet been refined for use by chemical processes ซึ่งระมัดระวัง
derail – (of a train) to come off the railway tracks ตกราง
opposite – across from or facing someone or something ที่อยู่ตรงกันข้าม
warehouse – a large building for storing things โกดังสินค้า, คลังสินค้า, โรงพัสดุ
blame – to say or think that someone or something did something wrong or is responsible for something bad happening โยนความผิดให้
warp – to become, or make something become, twisted or bent out of its natural shape, for example because it has become too hot, too damp, etc ทำให้บิดงอ, ทำให้ผิดรูป, ทำให้ผิดส่ว
replace – to put something new in place of something old นำสิ่งใหม่มาใช้แทน
nationwide – throughout a whole country ทั่วทั้งประเทศ
run-down – in very bad condition; that has not been taken care of ผุพัง, เก่าแก่, ทรุดโทรม
bend – to cause something to curve โค้ง
searing – so strong that it seems to burn you เผาให้ไหม้เกรียม
span – to stretch right across something, from one side to the other ก้าวข้าม
sleeper – one of the heavy pieces of wood or concrete on which the rails on a railway/railroad track are laid ไม้หมอน (รางรถไฟ)
majority – more than 50 percent of a group ส่วนใหญ่
worn out – badly damaged and/or no longer useful because it has been used a lot ชำรุดทรุดโทรม
scorching – extremely hot ร้อนมาก, ซึ่งทำให้แสบร้อน
susceptible – easily affected by something อ่อนแอ,หวั่นไหวง่าย
amid – happening while something else is happening ท่ามกลาง
soaring – rising very quickly to a high level พุ่งพรวดขึ้น
temperature – a measurement of how hot or how cold a place or object is อุณหภูมิ
accumulate – to get more and more of something over a period of time เก็บสะสม, สะสม, สั่งสมมานาน
exceed – to be more than something; to go beyond a limit เกินกว่าที่กำหนด
state – condition สภาพ
supervision – the process of making sure that something is being done properly การควบคุมดูแล การตรวจตรา
additional – more; more than was first mentioned or is usual ที่เพิ่มขึ้น
gravel – small pieces of stone used for making paths and roads ก้อนกรวด, กรวด
secure – to attach or fasten something firmly มัดให้แน่น, ตรึง, รัด, กระชับ
the long run – over a long period or time, rather than a short period ในระยะยาว
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