WEAR AND CORROSION OF RAILS

The use of the Shaw Rail Contourograph to measure vertical wear is described and illustrated. The wide limits of specific rail wear on the British Railways and London Transport are shown as a result of corrosive influence of atmospheric pollution in tunnels and industrial areas. Annual wear is approximately proportional to the square root of the number of axles passing per annum. A comparison between the British and American rail wear values shows much lower values in America for specific wear at the same traffic intensity. This may be partly because of the higher carbon content in America where the relative humidity is above 80 percent for much fewer hours per annum, and atmospheric pollution from industry is less concentrated than in Britain. The effects of steel composition, axleload and braking on rail wear are discussed.

• Corporate Authors:

  Temple Press Limited

  161-166 Fleet Street
  Longon EC4,   England 
• Authors:
  • Dearden, J
• Publication Date: 1965-1-1

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 518-521
• Serial:
  • RAILWAY GAZETTE
  • Volume: 121

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axle loads; Braking; Corrosion; Fatigue (Mechanics); Fatigue (Physiological condition); Maintenance of way; Rail (Railroads); Structural design; Technology; Tunnels; Wear
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom; United States
• Old TRIS Terms: Axle loadings; Rail design; Track maintenance equipment
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00037854
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 8 1994 12:00AM