Under the backbone of the steel giant railway transportation, the sleepers silently bear the crushing of millions of trains, supporting the stability of the entire track system. They may seem ordinary, but they are related to the safe operation of every train. Among the sleepers, plain sleepers and anti-corrosion sleepers are the two main players, playing completely different roles in railway construction due to their different abilities.
Let's talk about wooden sleepers first. They are like unpolished jade, the most primitive form of wooden sleepers, without any anti-corrosion treatment. The advantages of plain sleepers are very obvious, firstly in terms of low cost. Ordinary wood can be transformed into sleepers through simple processing without the need for complex procedures, greatly reducing production costs. And its processing is simple, which can be easily completed by ordinary wood processing factories, unlike anti-corrosion sleepers that require specific equipment and processes. In addition, plain sleepers have no odor and retain the original properties of the wood, giving people a natural and rustic feeling. In some small-scale railway projects or temporary track laying with low environmental requirements or limited budget, plain sleepers are like an "economical and applicable player" who can quickly take up their posts and meet basic needs.
However, the "shortcomings" of plain sleepers are also very prominent. Because it has not undergone anti-corrosion treatment, it is like an unprotected soldier, powerless to fight back against external "enemies" such as dampness and insect infestation. Once encountering an environment with a lot of rainwater, wood is easily able to absorb moisture, leading to decay; And those moths hidden in the dark will even leave the interior of the sleepers riddled with holes. Over time, the sleepers will deform and break, which not only affects their service life but also poses a safety hazard to train operation. This is like a person with limited abilities, unable to perform their job in complex and harsh environments.
Looking at the anti-corrosion sleepers again, they are like well-trained and well-equipped "special forces soldiers". The production process of anti-corrosion sleepers is not simple, it requires high-temperature and high-pressure oil immersion anti-corrosion treatment. Simply put, it means putting the sleepers into a specially designed container and allowing the anti-corrosion oil to fully penetrate into the deep layers of the wood under high temperature and pressure. This process is like putting a strong "armor" on the sleepers, isolating the "enemies" such as moisture and insect infestation. After such treatment, the stability and durability of the sleepers are greatly improved, and they can stick to their posts in various harsh environments, effectively extending their service life.
However, becoming a 'special forces soldier' also comes at a cost. Compared to plain sleepers, the cost of anti-corrosion sleepers is significantly higher. Not only does the wood itself have higher requirements, but the production process also requires a large amount of anti-corrosion oil and energy. Moreover, due to the presence of anti-corrosion oil, the sleepers may have a certain odor, and the processing is more complicated, requiring professional equipment and technical personnel. But these "drawbacks" are not as important in the face of its strong anti-corrosion ability, in some important railway trunk lines, bridges, tunnels and other key parts that require high performance of sleepers. In these places, anti-corrosion sleepers must be used, just like in important positions, there must be people with strong abilities and the ability to handle tasks.
From the perspective of application environment, the difference between plain sleepers and anti-corrosion sleepers is also very obvious. Due to its limited capabilities, wooden sleepers are mainly used in temporary projects such as temporary tracks inside construction sites or small railways in remote areas with low service life requirements and relatively dry environments. These places have relatively low requirements for sleepers, and plain sleepers can meet short-term usage needs. And anti-corrosion sleepers have become the main force in railway transportation due to their excellent anti-corrosion, compressive, and deformation resistance capabilities. Whether it is a railway line crossing high mountains and canyons, a busy mainline carrying a large number of trains, or a bridge tunnel that has been in a humid environment for a long time, the figure of anti-corrosion sleepers can be seen. They are like loyal guards, guarding the safety and stability of railway transportation day after day and year after year.
Plain sleepers and anti-corrosion sleepers are like different people in daily life, each with their own abilities and characteristics. Their ability determines their position and also determines the job they are capable of. On the big stage of railway construction, they all play an indispensable role and contribute their own strength to the railway transportation industry together.
