ASTM F2960-14

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: F2960 − 14
StandardPractice for
Permanent Amusement Railway Ride Tracks and Related
Devices
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2960; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This standard applies to design, manufacture, 2.1 ASTM Standards:
installation, operation, maintenance, and inspection of perma- F747 Terminology Relating to Amusement Rides and De-
nent amusement railway ride(s) that have a track gauge greater vices
than or equal to 12 in. (305 mm) measured between the heads F770 Practice for Ownership, Operation, Maintenance, and
of the rails and their related devices and facilities, for example, Inspection of Amusement Rides and Devices
bridges, tunnels, and signal support structures, excluding F893 Guide for Auditing Amusement Rides and Devices
rolling stock. This “track” specific standard provides require- (Withdrawn 2013)
ments which are not covered in the “core” or “supporting” F1159 Practice for Design and Manufacture of Patron
standards of the ASTM F24 committee. Directed, Artificial Climbing Walls, Dry Slide, Coin
Operated and Purposeful Water Immersion Amusement
1.2 This standard does not apply to track of rides, such as
Rides and Devices and Air-Supported Structures
roller coasters, that may resemble railways, but may fall within
F1193 Practice for Quality, Manufacture, and Construction
the scope of Practice F2291-11 or Practice F1159-02 and does
of Amusement Rides and Devices
not apply to funiculars as defined in ANSI B77.2 or BS EN
F2137 Practice for Measuring the Dynamic Characteristics
1907.
of Amusement Rides and Devices
1.3 This standard does not apply to Amusement Railway
2.2 Industry Standards:
Rides and their associated track, devices and facilities that are
AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering (2013)
manufactured and intended for use as a portable amusement
AWPA U1 (American Wood Preserver’s Association Stan-
ride or attraction.
dard) The Use Category System (2013)
BS EN 1907 Safety Requirements for Cableway Installa-
1.4 This standard does not apply to permanently installed
amusement railway rides and tourist railways, and their asso- tions Designed to Carry Persons—Terminology (Funicu-
lars) (2005)
ciated track, devices and facilities that are under the jurisdic-
tion of the Federal Administration of the Department of Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and
Highways (MUTCD) (2009)
Transportation(thatis,operateunderjurisdictionoftheFederal
Railroad Administration (FRA) in whole or part) or National
3. Terminology
equivalent.
3.1 Definitions:
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.1 amusement railway ride, n—an amusement ride that
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
may have multiple vehicles (for example, locomotive(s),
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
coach(es), etc.) linked together, at least one of which has on
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
board mechanical propulsion that has an on board operator(s),
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
utilizing flanged wheels on railroad type rails with a gauge of
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F24 on contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Amusement Rides and Devices and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
F24.60 on Special Rides/Attractions. the ASTM website.
Current edition approved July 1, 2014. Published September 2014. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/F2960-14. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2960 − 14
12 in. or greater, that is insular to national regulations, which (1) Made of a size and material to which rail can be
is designated by the Designer/Engineer as an amusement securely fastened.
railway ride. (2) Provide sufficient compressive size and strength to
withstand and distribute rail and train loading to the ballast or
3.1.2 Type AP-A track, n—active main lines; any track
grade.
where the operating speed exceeds walking speed.
5.2.5.2 Wood Ties—Wood ties shall meet the requirements
3.1.3 Type AP-B track, n—active passing tracks, loading
specified in industrially recognized standard, for example,
tracks, classification yard tracks, and storage tracks; all other
AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering, or as specified by
tracks (both active and inactive) that are not previously
an Designer/Engineer.
identified as TypeAP-Atrack; tracks having an occasional use
5.2.5.3 Similar ties to wood (including plastic or composite
or a foreseeable need.
ties) may be used provided they perform the functions above,
3.1.4 Type AP-C track, n—inactive track with no current
for example, rails attached to concrete tie, steel or concrete in
operation requirements.
road crossings or in streets and are designed for the loads.
3.1.5 walking speed, n—less than 5 ft (1.5 m) per second. 5.2.5.4 The rails shall be attached to ties or the similar
systems with fasteners such that the rails are adequately
supported. Drilling of the rail flange is not allowed.
4. Significance and Use
5.2.5.5 Used Ties—Ties may be reused provided they are
4.1 The user of this standard shall be required to review and
not considered defective as described in 9.8.5.1 but may
comply with the referenced “core” ASTM F24 Committee
contain holes from prior use. Ties maybe flipped over to
standards in 2.1 of this standard. Modified or alternate require-
provide new spiking surfaces.
ments to those standards may be required in this standard.
5.2.6 Tie Spacing—Nominal tie spacing shall be established
4.1.1 Amusement railway sub-systems may be built to
bytheDesigner/Engineerandbebasedupontheexpectedload.
various scales, that is, rolling stock maybe to one scale and the
Also, see X5.2.6 on thematic ties.
track to another but have common gauge. The railroad’s
documentation or maintenance manuals shall identify the
5.3 Tie Plates—Tie plates are not a requirement of this
railroad standards of the respective subsystems/interfaces.
standard.
4.1.2 The Designer/Engineer’s requirements shall consider
5.3.1 If canted tie plates are used, each shall incline the top
the track equipment manufacturer’s and rolling stock manu-
of the rail towards the centerline of the track. If tie plates are
facturer’s requirements and shall determine their appropriate
used, flat and canted tie plates shall not be mixed in the same
interfaces.
rail section.
5.4 Spikes (or fasteners):
5. Design
5.4.1 Rails shall be secured at every tie. The rail shall have
5.1 Design of roadway (track, ties, roadbed, and roadbed
a sufficient number and strength of spikes (fasteners) to
shoulder) shall be performed or overseen by the Designer/
effectively maintain gauge and provide sufficient rail restraint.
Engineer knowledgeable in Railway Engineering.
5.4.2 Spiking Pattern—Reserved.
5.1.1 The Designer/Engineer shall specify the preparation
5.5 Joints:
of the road bed and ballast to support the rail system based
5.5.1 Joint Bars—Joint bars, if used, shall join rail sections
upon expected loads.
together and shall match the rail size.
5.1.2 Drains:
5.5.1.1 Only metal joint bars are allowed. At insulated
5.1.2.1 Size and Design—Ditches and other drainage struc-
joints, an insulated metal bar with insulated bolt holes shall be
tures (culverts, drains, and drop inlets) shall be of sufficient
used.
size and construction to handle the flow of water from rain,
5.5.1.2 Compromise Joints—Rails of different size or sec-
snow, and irrigation.
tion shall be joined with properly designed and constructed
5.1.3 Ballast:
compromise bars, taper rails, or offset welds.
5.1.3.1 The Designer/Engineer shall specify if ballast shall
5.5.1.3 Welded joints are acceptable when appropriately
be used.
designed for the railway installation and specific processes (for
5.1.3.2 If required, the Designer/Engineer shall specify the
example, annealing) are specified. Aluminum rail which has
tamping of the ballast.
been welded shall not be used.
5.2 Cross Ties:
5.5.1.4 As a minimum, the threaded end of the bolt shall be
5.2.1 A cross tie is a structure placed transversely under
flush with or proud of the nut.
both rails and secured to both rails.
5.5.2 Joint Gap—Agap between rail ends shall be installed
5.2.2 Cross ties shall maintain track gauge.
to provide for thermal expansion resulting from maximum and
5.2.3 Cross ties shall contribute to rail alignment.
minimum temperature difference within the year or other
5.2.4 Cross ties shall be made of a size and material to
means approved by the Designer/Engineer.
which rail can be securely fastened and support and distribute
5.6 Rail Anchors—Rail anchors shall not be used on open
the load from the rails to the ballast or grade.
deck bridges. An open deck bridge is a bridge with no floor.
5.2.5 Tie Selection:
5.2.5.1 Ties shall possess the following attributes: 5.7 Gauge Rods:
F2960 − 14
5.7.1 A gauge rod is a device threaded at its ends with in the transition varies from level at the tangent to full super
features at its end that attach to opposing rails for the purpose elevation at the curve.
of maintaining the gauge distance between those rails (See Fig.
5.11 Super Elevation—Super elevation is the banking of
1).
track by raising of the outside rail or lowering of the inside rail
5.7.2 Application—If used, gauge rods shall be installed at
in a curve. The amount of super elevation is a function of the
right angles to the rail with the jaws firmly gripping the base of
degree of curvature, proposed speed of the train and the
the rail.
location of the center of gravity of the train vehicles.The super
5.8 Rail—Rail shall meet the requirements of the Designer/ elevation shall be designed so that the combined force vectors
Engineer. fromtheweightofthetrainandthecentripetalforcesduetothe
5.8.1 Short Rail—Short rails and joint gap fillers shall trains speed in a curve shall act as a combined force vector
provide wheel guidance to mitigate a derailment at the maxi- intersecting the tie surface between the rails (stable) versus
mum speed stipulated by the Operator. outside the rails (unstable). The design shall use a train speed
from zero to the maximum speed, including over speed
5.9 Track Geometry—One rail shall be designated as the
conditions, to ensure overturning stability is provided.
line rail. The alignment of the track is established by this rail.
Either rail may be used as the line rail on tangent track so long
5.12 Turnouts:
as the same rail is used for the entire length of the tangent.
5.12.1 Turnout—The section of rail from the tip of switch
5.9.1 Incurves,theinsiderailisdesignatedasthegraderail.
points (point of switch) to the heel of the frog shall be
The grade rail is the reference from which super-elevation is
considered the turnout.
applied to the outside rail of the curve.
5.12.2 General requirements for turnouts.
5.9.2 The following figures define track geometry for all
5.12.3 Materials—All materials used within the limits of a
gauges that shall be used by the Designer/Engineer to establish
turnout shall be specified by an Designer/Engineer and not be
the requirements for the track.These figures will be referenced
flame cut after manufacture.
in subsequent sections.
5.12.4 Rail—All rail used within a turnout shall be of the
5.9.3 Gauge—Gauge is the distance between a point one-
same weight and section. Compromise joints are not permitted
half the depth of the rail head below the top surface of the two
within a turnout.
rails measured at right angles to the rail or, for standard gauge,
5.12.5 Ties—The requirements in 5.2 of this standard shall
⁄8 in. (15.9 mm) below the railhead as shown in Fig. 9. The
apply to ties within the limits of a turnout.
minimum and maximum gauges shall be determined using Fig.
5.12.6 Stub Switches—Stub switches may be used and all
3 and Fig. 4 respectively.
rules within this standard applying to turnouts shall apply to
5.9.3.1 Gauge less than standard or if the rails are canted—
stub switches except those rules regarding the switch itself.
Gauge is the minimum distance between the rail heads,
Whenused,operatingspeedoverstubswitchesshallbelimited
measured at right angles to the rails at the rail head. Canted rail
to twice walking speed.
is the inclination of both rails towards the center line of the
5.12.6.1 Stock and closure rails shall be securely fastened
track, typically by the use of inclined tie plates, usually at an
and provide for proper alignment at the approach track end
incline of 1 in 20. See Fig. 10.
when the moveable approach track is thrown in either direc-
5.9.3.2 In curves the gauge, as defined in 5.9.3, shall be
tion.The rail ends of both the approach track and the stock and
adjusted for the degree of curvature, the tread width and wheel
closure rails shall bear on a common tie or contiguous bearing
base of the rolling stock but shall not exceed the values of Fig.
plate, or both. Means shall be provided to prevent misalign-
4. (See X5.9.3.2 for definition of degree of curvature.)
ment between the approach and turnout tracks in all operating
positions to the extent that a derailment potential is created at
5.10 Cross Level:
the speed allowed for the turnout.
5.10.1 Definition—Cross level is the difference in elevation
5.12.6.2 Means shall be provided to prevent longitudinal
between the top surfaces of the two rails measured at right
angles to the track, as shown in Fig. 11 movement of the approach, stock, and closure rails to the
extent that they no longer bear on a common tie or bearing
5.10.2 Designated Cross Level—On tangent track, the cross
level shall be zero 6 tolerance specified by the Designer/ plate.
Engineer. On curved track, the designated cross level is equal 5.12.6.3 End gap between approach rails and closure/stock
to the designated super elevation (see 5.11). Between the rails shall be sufficient to allow throwing the switch without
tangent and curved track is the transition track. Super elevation binding.
FIG. 1 Gauge Rods (installed on rails, ties and tie plates not shown)
F2960 − 14
FIG. 2 Nominal Track Gauge (AAR stan
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