b) Mountainous and steep curve sections close to Chiang Mai
18m rail used instead of long welded rail (500-751 km)
(3) Track scheduled to be reinforced
Reinforcement of the track between Lop Buri (34 km) and Phitsanulok (389 km) is started. Moreover, the whole permanent way up to Chiang Mai following the above section is expected to be reinforced as the eighth five-year plan. The reinforced track is specified as shown below.
(4) Track for speedup
Though it is possible to increase the speed of a body tilting car by keeping the balance of passengers, a large lateral force is added to a track by a value correspond to the increased speed. It is a prerequisite for the track to have a track strength balancing to the lateral force in order to raise the effect of the body tilting car. Therefore, as described in Chapter 4, the level of the above track scheduled to be reinforced is necessary.
3.4.2 Maintenance of track and permanent way
(1) Maintenance system
(a) Composition of basic frame
A maintenance system is prepared so that the important condition for determining