Match List I with List II and select the correct answer from the combinations given below

List I	List II
a. Wire claw	1. To clean the ballast.
b. Jim crow	2. To pack the ballast under sleeper.
c. Beater	3. To bend the rails.
d. Mallet	4. To sound the sleeper for packing.

Explanation:

Wire Claw

• The wire claw is a hand-held steel tool used to loosen and remove caked ballast from between and around the sleepers, especially in sections with limited access.

• It has curved, claw-like prongs that are ideal for reaching tight spots where machines cannot operate effectively.

• It ensures proper cleaning before re-tamping and helps maintain drainage and track performance.

Jim Crow

• A Jim crow is a manual or hydraulic rail bender, used to bend rails horizontally during laying of curves or to correct alignment deviations.

• It has a strong frame with a screw jack mechanism to apply lateral force to the rail web or head.

• It is essential during the initial laying of curved tracks and for adjusting rails during maintenance.

 Beater

• A beater is a tamping tool used to compact ballast underneath sleepers manually. It is typically a flat or round heavy steel plate attached to a long handle.

• Track workers strike the ballast repeatedly to eliminate voids under sleepers and improve track stability.

• It is mainly used in small-scale maintenance where mechanized tamping machines are not employed.

Mallet

• A mallet is a soft-faced hammer, usually made of wood, rubber, or plastic, used for sounding sleepers to detect voids or loose support.

• When a sleeper is tapped, a hollow sound indicates inadequate ballast support, which signals the need for re-tamping.

• It prevents over-tamping and ensures maintenance is only carried out where required, saving time and resources.

 Additional InformationTrack Gauge

• Used to measure and maintain the correct rail gauge (distance between inner faces of rails).

• It ensures track safety and prevents derailment.

Lining Bar

• Used to adjust the lateral position of rails to correct alignment during track laying or maintenance.

Fish Bolt Spanner

• A large wrench used to tighten or loosen bolts connecting rail joints (fish plates), ensuring strong and aligned rail connections.

Rail Tong / Rail Lifter

• Used to lift and position rails manually during replacement or realignment operations.