PORTABLE WELDERS FOR JOINING RAILS

The portable welder is mounted on a wheeled chassis complete with transport rollers, cold saw, centrifugal pump for cooling water, tanks for water, fuel, and lubricant, milling machine, and guide pieces, besides the usual alternator, exciter, and switchgear. Two sections of the rail to be joined are clamped in the machine and brought together, and as the current passes through the point of contact, the metal is warmed; by repeated separation and re-union, an effective preheat is accorded to the ends. Flashing then follows, during which, by applying moderate force to the fixed piece, the rail is slowly pressed forward, and to the accompaniment of a shower of sparks, molten metal is ejected. The rails attain the desired temperature for welding during this treatment, and with a powerful upset motion become united. The system is completely automated. When the rail ends to be joined are at hand, from 7 to 10 joints an hour are made. Each weld requires two to three minutes.

• Corporate Authors:

  Temple Press Limited

  161-166 Fleet Street
  Longon EC4,   England 
• Publication Date: 1946-9-13

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: p. 296-305
• Serial:
  • RAILWAY GAZETTE
  • Volume: 85

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Equipment design; Maintenance of way; Railroad rails; Technology; Welded rail; Welding
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Rail welding; Track maintenance equipment
• Subject Areas: Design; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00037295
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 4 1994 12:00AM