CAUSES OF SHELLY SPOTS AND HEAD CHECKS IN RAIL-METHODS FOR THEIR PREVENTION

Part one of this report discusses a laboratory investigation of 132-pound rail made from vacuum degassed steel. The purpose of this investigation is to determine whether rails made from vacuum degassed steel and air cooled are comparable in properties with rail steel produced by currently common practices. The manufacturing process and test specimens are described. Rolling load tests, drop tests, slow bend tests, Charpy impact tests, hardness tests, and chemical analysis are performed. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations and physical property determinations are examined. The properties of vacuum degassed steel rails without controlled cooling were comparable to those manufactured by conventional techniques. Part two is a report on a field inspection of vacuum degassed steel rail on the Norfolk & Western Railway. Slight curve wear was noted in the high side rails, and slight rail wear was noted on the low side rails. No shelling or head checking was noted.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Railway Engineering Association

  59 East Van Buren Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60605
• Publication Date: 1972-2

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 338-394
• Serial:
  • AREA BULLETIN
  • Volume: 73 N
  • Issue Number: 636
  • Publisher: American Railway Engineering Association

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Rail steel; Railroad rails; Shelling (Metals)
• Identifier Terms: Norfolk and Western Railway Company
• Old TRIS Terms: Degassed rail; Rail metallurgy; Rail shelling
• Subject Areas: Materials; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00052254
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Association of American Railroads
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 15 1976 12:00AM