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Railway Track Construction and Permanent Way Maintenance

Rail is central to moving bulk freight and passengers across African corridors, and the track itself demands specialist construction and upkeep. This course introduces the permanent way, from formation and ballast to rails, sleepers and turnouts, and how each is built and maintained. It equips site teams to construct new track and manage the inspection and maintenance that keeps existing lines safe.

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What you will be able to do

  • Describe the components of the permanent way and their function.
  • Prepare formation and ballast for track construction.
  • Supervise laying of sleepers, rails and fastenings.
  • Set track geometry, gauge, cant and alignment.
  • Construct and maintain turnouts and crossings.
  • Plan track inspection and permanent way maintenance.

Course outline

  1. 01The permanent way and its components
  2. 02Formation, drainage and earthworks for rail
  3. 03Ballast selection and placement
  4. 04Sleepers, rails and fastening systems
  5. 05Track geometry, gauge and alignment
  6. 06Turnouts, crossings and welding
  7. 07Track inspection and defect identification
  8. 08Permanent way maintenance and tamping

Who should attend

Rail construction supervisors, civil technicians, permanent way inspectors, maintenance teams and infrastructure project staff.

Dates, venues and fees

DatesVenueDaysFeeCalendarRegister
28 Sep to 2 Oct 2026Harare5US$1,800Closed
5 to 9 Oct 2026Accra5US$1,800Register
12 to 16 Oct 2026Lagos5US$1,800Register
19 to 23 Oct 2026Dubai5US$1,800Register
26 to 30 Oct 2026Johannesburg5R18,000Register
2 to 6 Nov 2026Cape Town5R18,000Register
9 to 13 Nov 2026Durban5R18,000Register
16 to 20 Nov 2026Pretoria5R18,000Register
23 to 27 Nov 2026Nairobi5US$1,800Register
30 Nov to 4 Dec 2026Dar es Salaam5US$1,800Register
7 to 11 Dec 2026Lusaka5US$1,800Register

Fees are per delegate. South African venues are priced in rand; other locations and online in US dollars. Fees exclude 15% VAT where applicable. Group bookings of three or more delegates from the same organisation qualify for a reduced rate; contact us for a quotation.

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