COMPARISON OF RAIL ABRASION, END BATTER AND DEFLECTION FOR 130 LB., 131 LB., AND 152 LB. RAIL

Rail abrasion, and batter, and joint deflection measurements were made on 130 lb., 131 lb., and 152 lb. rail on adjacent stretches of track east of Tyrone, Pa. Various joint bars were employed. Maintenance cost records were also recorded for this stretch of track. Early measurements, particularly of joint deflection, gave large variations in deflections from joint to joint, and led to removing and measuring a considerable number of bars showing high and low joint deflection. The results of these measurements indicated a need for better mill inspection to control vertical camber and led to a more thorough control of camber ranges during manufacture. Also the initial use of the "Toeless" type of bar such as applied in this test indicated a pronounced tendency to "cocking" the bars during first application and led to development of the present yoke gauge now in general use for applying the "F" types of bars to prevent "cocking". The 152 lb. and 131 lb. "F" type bars in this test were badly cocked when first applied. In the joint deflection comparison a good showing is made by the 131 lb. rail (untreated) with the B-1 type bar (Plan 66194-B) both on tangent and sharp curves. As to rail end batter the 131 lb. (untreated) rail with B-1 bars also gives the least amount of batter on tangent and sharp curves after eliminating the 131 lb. (heat treated) rail from which it would be expected less batter would occur. For the various weights of rail (untreated) on curves the 152 lb. rail had an additional service of one year over 130 lb. rail and three-fourths year over 131 lb. rail before it was necessary to transpose the rail. Measurements of rail abrasion during the period of test shows a marked decrease in abrasion on both tangents and curves for the 152 lb. and 131 lb. rails over the 130 lb. rails all untreated. Maintenance costs have been largely affected by local conditions, particularly differences in drainage and in the new tie territory of 130 lb. rail previously mentioned.

• Corporate Authors:

  Penn Central Transportation Company

  Transportation Center, 6 Penn Center Plaza
  Philadelphia, PA  United States  19104
• Authors:
  • Graham, F M
• Publication Date: 1938-5-18

Media Info

• Features: Tables;
• Pagination: 10 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Abrasions; Costs; Curved track; Deflection; Fastenings; Maintenance management; Rail joints; Railroad rails; Railroad tracks; Tangent track; Technology; Tie bars; Wear
• Uncontrolled Terms: Maintenance costs
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Old TRIS Terms: Rail deflection; Rail end batter
• Subject Areas: Finance; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00040254
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Test No. 142
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 8 1994 12:00AM