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RailPro · Track & permanent way
73 questions on track structure, materials & route classification, each with the answer and where it comes from. Try each one before you tap Show answer.
Answer them against the clock and see your score with every answer explained.
Start set 1 Start set 2 Start set 3Q1.A second-hand rail fit to be relaid only in non-running lines is marked with a daub of ______ paint on its ends.
Answer: (D) Yellow
White daub = fit for running lines, yellow = fit for non-running lines, red = unserviceable.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 113
Q2.The toughness of ballast, i.e. its resistance to fracture under impact loads, is measured by the ______.
Answer: (B) Impact value
Toughness is measured by Impact Value; hardness (resistance to attrition) by Los Angeles abrasion value.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 237
Q3.Group 'B' BG routes are those with speeds up to ______
Answer: (D) 130 kmph
Group 'B' routes are those with speeds up to 130 kmph (Group 'A' is up to 160 kmph).
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 392
Q4.Group 'C' routes consist of ______
Answer: (A) the suburban sections of Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata
Group 'C' covers the suburban sections of Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 397
Q5.How many GRSPs are required per PSC sleeper?
Answer: (C) 2
Two GRSPs are used per sleeper (one under each rail), so 1660 sleepers need 3320 GRSPs.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 514
Q6.At the bridge approaches, for a length of about ______m. the width of cess should be ________ cm clear of full ballast section.
Answer: (B) 100, 90
Source: JE (P.Way) Question Bank 2025, Q.324
Q7.PSC sleepers for plain track are manufactured to RDSO specification ______.
Answer: (C) IRS: T-39
Plain-track PSC sleepers conform to IRS: T-39; turnout sleepers conform to IRS: T-45.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 159
Q8.An excess percentage of carbon in steel makes the rail ______
Answer: (D) Brittle
Source: JE (P.Way) Question Bank 2025, Q.233
Q9.Yellow paint on the end face (web region) of a rail indicates a rail length of ______.
Answer: (A) 26 m
Yellow paint denotes 13, 26, 130 and 260 m rails; blue is 12/25 m, white 11/24 m, green 10 m.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 115
Q10.The minimum sleeper density on Broad Gauge main lines on all routes is ______ per km.
Answer: (C) 1660
Main lines on all routes (A to E) require a minimum of 1660 sleepers/km.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 198
Q11.Quantity of ballast/m on PSC sleeper LWR track with 300mm ballast cushion on Straight
Answer: (B) 2.304 M3
Source: JE (P.Way) Question Bank 2025, Q.271
Q12.The water absorption of track ballast should normally not exceed ______.
Answer: (D) 1%
Water absorption should not exceed 1%; CAO/CTE may relax it to 2.5% for specified areas.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 245
Q13.The minimum depth of ballast cushion below the sleeper at rail seat on BG loop lines is ______.
Answer: (B) 250 mm
Loop lines need 250 mm; track renewals 300 mm; doubling, GC and new lines 350 mm.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 222
Q14.The rails are manufactured as per the Indian Railway Standards specification for flat bottom rail _________
Answer: (A) IRS T-12
Source: JE (P.Way) Question Bank 2025, Q.175
Q15.For 1 km of single line LWR track with 60 kg 90 UTS rail and two 1 in 12 turnouts, the total number of AT welding portions required is ______
Answer: (C) 30
7 (LH) + 7 (RH) + 4 (SEJ) + 12 (turnouts) = 30 AT welding portions.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 518
Q16.For machine-crushed ballast, the quantity retained on the 20 mm sieve should be not less than ______.
Answer: (B) 98%
At least 98% must be retained on the 20 mm sieve for machine-crushed ballast (95% for hand-broken).
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 246
Q17.Elongation index is the percentage by weight of particles whose greatest dimension exceeds ______ their mean dimension.
Answer: (C) 1.8 times
Elongated particles are those whose length exceeds 1.8 (one and four-fifths) times the mean dimension.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 240
Q18.A BG route with speeds up to 110 kmph and an annual traffic density of 20 GMT or more is classified as Group ______
Answer: (C) 'D Spl'
Group 'D Spl' is speeds up to 110 kmph with annual traffic density of 20 GMT or more; with less than 20 GMT it is Group 'D'.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 402
Q19.The CST-9 sleeper for Broad Gauge weighs about ______.
Answer: (C) 103 kg
The CST-9 BG sleeper weighs 103 kg and can be assembled or dismantled without mechanical equipment.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 129
Q20.The BG mono-block PSC sleeper is designed for a static load at each rail seat of ______.
Answer: (A) 15 tonnes
The PSC mono-block sleeper is designed for 15 t at each rail seat for BG (11 t for MG).
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 137
Q21.As per the IRPWM table of stipulated service life, what is the service life of 60 kg/m, 90 UTS rail (routes not covered by rail grinding)?
Answer: (C) 800 GMT
The IRPWM table gives 800 GMT for 60 kg/m 90 UTS rail (550 GMT for 72 UTS; 525 GMT for 52 kg 90 UTS). The 2021 revised norms raised it to 1000 GMT only on routes covered by rail grinding.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 98
Q22.Minimum depth of ballast cushion all doubling, gauge conversion and new line construction works BG. routes is
Answer: (B) 350 mm
Source: JE (P.Way) Question Bank 2025, Q.297
Q23.As per the comparison of sleeper types, the scrap value of a concrete sleeper is ______.
Answer: (A) Nil
Concrete sleepers have nil scrap value, while steel and cast iron sleepers have high scrap value.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 141
Q24.The permitted horizontal end-straightness deviation for a Class 'A' rail is ______.
Answer: (D) 0.5 mm on a 2.0 m straight edge
Class A: 0.5 mm max ordinate on a 2.0 m straight edge horizontally; Class B allows 0.7 mm on 1.5 m.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 106
Q25.'Industrial Use' (IU) rails may be used in industrial sidings subject to a speed restriction of ______.
Answer: (C) 50 km/h
IU rails have the same chemistry and mechanical properties as prime rails but wider tolerances, so they are allowed in sidings at up to 50 km/h.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 107
Q26.Which side drain section is hydraulically the best and most erosion resistant?
Answer: (B) Parabolic (saucer type)
The parabolic saucer drain is hydraulically best; trapezoidal/rectangular are used more because they are easier to build.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 361
Q27.It is desirable to provide a sub-ballast layer of ______ depth below the ballast.
Answer: (A) 15 cm
A 15 cm sub-ballast is desirable; it reduces load effects and prevents ballast penetrating the formation.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 298
Q28.For main line track renewals, doubling, new lines and gauge conversion, the recommended rail section is ______.
Answer: (D) 60 kg/m, minimum 90 UTS
Main line works are to use 60 kg/m rails of minimum 90 UTS.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 93
Q29.Where a blanket is required, its thickness should not be less than ______.
Answer: (D) 30 cm
Blanket thickness, decided by CE (Const.), should not be less than 30 cm.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 300
Q30.BG routes on Indian Railways are classified into groups 'A' to 'E' on the basis of ______
Answer: (B) the future maximum permissible speed and traffic load
BG lines are grouped 'A' to 'E' according to their future maximum permissible speeds and traffic load.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 390
Q31.A PSC sleeper marked 'NFTC' in paint is ______.
Answer: (B) Not fit for track-circuited locations
All PSC sleepers are tested for electrical resistance; 'FTC' means fit and 'NFTC' not fit for track circuiting.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 150
Q32.RDSO drawing Number for 60kg Rail &60 kg Sleeper, Metal Liner is ________
Answer: (B) RT-3740
Source: JE (P.Way) Question Bank 2025, Q.188
Q33.The primary function of a blanket/sub-ballast layer is ______.
Answer: (C) Reducing stresses on top of the sub-grade
Stress reduction is the primary function; separation, drainage and prevention of mud pumping are secondary.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 301
Q34.The width of ballast shoulder to be provided on the outside of the curve in case of LWR is
Answer: (A) 500mm
Source: JE (P.Way) Question Bank 2025, Q.284
Q35.Which type of rail section has been standardised on Indian Railways?
Answer: (B) Flat footed
Of the double headed, bull headed and flat footed types, flat footed rails are standardised on Indian Railways.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 84
Q36.For full-rate payment of machine-crushed ballast, the quantity retained on the 40 mm sieve should be ______.
Answer: (C) 40% to 60%
Machine-crushed ballast must have 40-60% retained on the 40 mm square mesh sieve for full payment.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 246
Q37.As per GE-14, the minimum formation top width for DFC (double line) is ______.
Answer: (B) 13.5 m
GE-14 recommends 8.5 m for single line heavy-axle-load track and a minimum of 13.5 m for DFC.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 331
Q38.Check-rail clearance provided on RDSO/T-4183-86 sleepers (60 kg rail with 52 kg check rail) is ______.
Answer: (D) 75 mm
T-4183-86 gives 75 mm check-rail clearance (designed for the KK line); T-6896-99 gives 65 mm.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 194
Q39.Ballast is rejected as oversize when the quantity retained on the 65 mm sieve exceeds ______.
Answer: (A) 10%
Up to 5% is accepted, 5-10% gets a 5% rate reduction, and above 10% the ballast is rejected.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 249
Q40.Full ballast section must be ensured at bridge, level crossing and tunnel approaches for ______ on either side.
Answer: (A) Six rail lengths
Special attention is required to ensure full ballast section for six rail lengths on either side of these locations.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 224
Q41.When classifying a double or multiple line route into Group 'D' or 'D Spl', the traffic density considered is the ______
Answer: (D) highest GMT on any one line
Traffic density on each line is considered separately, and the route is classified on the highest GMT carried by any one line.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 404
Q42.The wider PSC sleeper RDSO/T-8527 for 25 t axle load weighs about ______.
Answer: (C) 332 kg
RT-8527 weighs 332 kg against 267 kg for RT-2495/2496 and RT-7008.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 191
Q43.Vertical (up sweep) end straightness of Class-B rail, deviation of ______ measured as maximum ordinate from the chord of ______ standard straight edge
Answer: (A) 0.5mm, 1.5m
Source: JE (P.Way) Question Bank 2025, Q.219
Q44.Catch water drains are required in addition to side drains when the depth of cutting exceeds ______.
Answer: (D) 4 m
Up to 4 m depth of cutting only side drains are needed; beyond 4 m catch water drains are also provided.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 356
Q45.Sleeper spacing on a curve is the center to center distance between two consecutive sleepers when measured at
Answer: (A) Outer rail
Source: JE (P.Way) Question Bank 2025, Q.258
Q46.How many 130 m rail panels are needed for both rails to lay 1 km of LWR track?
Answer: (B) 16
1000 x 2 / 130 = 15.38, rounded up to 16 panels.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 511
Q47.Flakiness index is the percentage by weight of particles whose least dimension is less than ______ of their mean dimension.
Answer: (D) Three-fifths (0.6)
Particles with thickness under 3/5 of mean dimension are flaky; flakiness index is their percentage by weight.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 239
Q48.The 'Test Sample' drawn from a gross sample for size and gradation analysis has a volume of ______.
Answer: (C) 0.027 cum
A 0.027 cum test sample (a 0.3 m cube box) is drawn from each gross sample.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 267
Q49.Track gauge is defined as the ______
Answer: (C) clear minimum distance between the running faces of the two rails
Gauge is the clear minimum distance between the running (gauge) faces of the two rails.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 385
Q50.When ballast is supplied in wagons, shrinkage at destination is permitted up to ______.
Answer: (D) 8%
Up to 8% shrinkage is permitted at destination when the consignee verifies booked quantities.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 261
Q51.For BG ballast, the maximum Aggregate Impact Value permitted (without relaxation) is ______.
Answer: (A) 20%
BG ballast: aggregate abrasion value 30% max and impact value 20% max, relaxable to 35% and 25%.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 243
Q52.What is the length of a PSC-12/PSC-14 mono-block sleeper?
Answer: (D) 2750 mm
PSC-12/14 sleepers are 2750 mm long, about 286 kg, with 18 nos. 3 mm HTS strands.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 159
Q53.In the brand mark rolled on a rail, the month of manufacture is shown in ______.
Answer: (B) Roman numerals
The brand mark gives the month in Roman numerals followed by the last two digits of the year.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 99
Q54.For 1 km of 60 kg PSC sleeper track at a sleeper density of 1660 per km, the number of Mk III ERCs required is ______
Answer: (D) 6640
Each sleeper takes 4 ERCs, so 1660 x 4 = 6640 ERCs per km.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 513
Q55.Group 'E' covers all other sections and branch lines with speeds up to ______
Answer: (A) 100 kmph
Group 'E' covers all other sections and branch lines with speeds up to 100 kmph.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 412
Q56.The side slope of a railway embankment is normally ______ (H:V).
Answer: (B) 2:1
Embankment side slope is 2 horizontal : 1 vertical.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 290
Q57.A major limitation of metal sleepers is that they ______.
Answer: (B) Cannot be used in track-circuited areas
Metal sleepers conduct current and so cannot be used in track-circuited areas; they have good scrap value.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 134
Q58.Surface degradation of a composite sleeper due to solar UV exposure shall not exceed ______.
Answer: (D) 0.076 mm per year
Composite sleeper specification limits UV surface degradation to 0.076 mm per year.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 147
Q59.The maximum permissible speed on group ‘A' routes up to ______ kmph.
Answer: (D) 160
Source: JE (P.Way) Question Bank 2025, Q.162
Q60.The minimum gradient of a catch water drain should be in the range of ______.
Answer: (C) 1 in 400 to 1 in 700
Catch water drains should have a minimum gradient of 1 in 400 to 1 in 700 and no weep holes.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 369
Q61.Minimum sleeper density for loop lines on 'D' routes in temperature Zones I and II is ______ per km.
Answer: (B) 1340
Loop lines on D routes need 1340/km in Zones I & II and 1540/km in other zones.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 198
Q62.The cross-sectional area of a 60 kg/m (UIC) rail is about ______.
Answer: (A) 76.86 cm²
60 kg/m UIC rail weighs 60.34 kg/m and has a cross-sectional area of 76.86 cm²; 66.15 cm² is the 52 kg/m rail.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 92
Q63.Percentage of retention of machine crushed stone ballast above 5% but does not exceed 10% on 65 mm sieve _________
Answer: (B) Payment at 5% reduction in contracted rate shall be made for the full stack.
Source: JE (P.Way) Question Bank 2025, Q.310
Q64.How many sets of SEJ are required to lay 1 km of LWR track?
Answer: (A) 2
One SEJ set is needed at each end of the LWR, i.e. 2 sets for 1 km.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 517
Q65.For all new construction, the minimum height of embankment above GL or HFL should be ______.
Answer: (A) 1 m
Minimum embankment height of 1 m above GL/HFL ensures drainage, stress dispersal and riding quality.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 342
Q66.On curves of radius less than 350 m laid on PSC sleepers, the gauge may be slacked up to ______.
Answer: (A) +10 mm
Per IRPWM para 403(1), gauge on curves sharper than 350 m radius can be up to +10 mm; flatter curves are -5 to +3 mm.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 192
Q67.For laying concrete sleepers in a cutting with a rocky bed, the minimum clean ballast cushion should be ______.
Answer: (A) 250 mm
Rocky cuttings need a clean ballast cushion of at least 250 mm before concrete sleepers are laid.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 160
Q68.For uniformity, which size of broken stone ballast is to be adopted for all types of sleepers?
Answer: (C) 50 mm
50 mm broken stone ballast is to be adopted universally for all sleepers and sections.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 200
Q69.The shallow PSC sleeper, used where headroom is restricted under ROB/FOB, has a height at rail seat of ______.
Answer: (D) 160 mm
The shallow sleeper is 160 mm deep at rail seat against 210 mm for the normal sleeper.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 168
Q70.How is a Class 'A' rail identified in the field?
Answer: (B) Green paint on gauge/non-gauge face for 500 mm at each end
Class A rails carry green paint on the gauge/non-gauge face for 500 mm at each end; Class B rails have no paint.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 116
Q71.ERC is a _____________ fastening
Answer: (C) elastic
Source: JE (P.Way) Question Bank 2025, Q.246
Q72.In a rail brand mark, the letter 'O' or 'E' indicates ______.
Answer: (A) The steel-making process
'O' denotes basic oxygen and 'E' electric process of steel making.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 99
Q73.The bottom width of the wider PSC sleeper (RT-8527) is kept as ______ to limit ballast pressure.
Answer: (B) 280 mm
Bottom width is 280 mm to limit ballast pressure; the top width is 210 mm for a larger rubber pad.
Source: RailPro e-book Vol 1, page 189
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