Paul’s
Member
Hi, just a quick question, while walking near Woodsmoor level crossing, on the Manchester to Buxton line. I noticed the rails have been sprayed white. And was just wondering why...thanks ...
Hi, just a quick question, while walking near Woodsmoor level crossing, on the Manchester to Buxton line. I noticed the rails have been sprayed white. And was just wondering why...thanks ...
You may have noticed that (in the UK) it is normally the southern face of the rail thats is painted white! That's how I deduced what it is for. Appears to be a very cheap and effective solution to avoid a potentially dangerous and expensive problem.
Perhaps they are rails aligned North-South that will have both sides exposed to the sun.
We've just had our meals in the garden today whilst my brother-in-law in France said that it's been wet all day in Charente today. But to get back to the white paint, most of the rail which was painted is hidden away from the sun by the rubber road sections with only a few feet sticking out either side. Since the rail was only sprayed on the roadside before being installed, I don't know how long it'll last. I'd have thought that it'd be longer lasting if the painting had followed blasting in a controlled environment.Are you suggesting the sun never shines in Cumbria?
White paint could be an economic solution to many ills.
We've just had our meals in the garden today whilst my brother-in-law in France said that it's been wet all day in Charente today. But to get back to the white paint, most of the rail which was painted is hidden away from the sun by the rubber road sections with only a few feet sticking out either side. Since the rail was only sprayed on the roadside before being installed, I don't know how long it'll last. I'd have thought that it'd be longer lasting if the painting had followed blasting in a controlled environment.
The original post asked in relation to level crossings. I'm only talking about rails through level crossings so I believe that I'm still on topic!You are talking about two different things here.
Rails - normally S&C - are painted to help combat CRT issues in the hot months. This is just white paint.
The rails installed through level crossings etc have a special coating applied to resist corrosion. As well as level crossings these will be installed in other wet areas such as tunnel.
Level crossings are not particularly wet, so is the anti-corrosion treatment a response to winter road gritting/salting?You are talking about two different things here.
Rails - normally S&C - are painted to help combat CRT issues in the hot months. This is just white paint.
The rails installed through level crossings etc have a special coating applied to resist corrosion. As well as level crossings these will be installed in other wet areas such as tunnel.
Good Point! Haha...The original post asked in relation to level crossings. I'm only talking about rails through level crossings so I believe that I'm still on topic!
Level crossings are not particularly wet, so is the anti-corrosion treatment a response to winter road gritting/salting?
Points and crossings in lengths of CWR are strengthened so the stresses are controlled.Points and crossovers are mechanically more rigid than sections of uninterrupted rail which have expansion gaps to aleiviate this problem anyway. Points will be less tolerant to extremes of temperature.
Level crossings are not particularly wet, so is the anti-corrosion treatment a response to winter road gritting/salting?
Yes, although the level crossing systems will mean a bit of water can build up around the rails to.
Have you seen any rails with holes in them from corrosion?! Oh no, not that again!Usually, the rails aren’t painted as such, but pre-coated with a resin. This handy guide form British Stel has a little more detail. https://britishsteel.co.uk/media/40827/rail-product-guide.pdf
It is to prevent corrosion. Whilst local authorities are encouraged not to spread salt when crossing an LX, there is of course plenty of salty water on the approaches which is dragged onto the crossing by passing traffic. I’ve seen some quite significant rail corrosion at level crossings.
I have. Running rails. Line blocked immediately!Have you seen any rails with holes in them from corrosion?! Oh no, not that again!
I was just about to mention this. Most of the line from Milan Cadorna to Malpensa Airport is painted white.I saw this on a recent trip to Italy and wondered why.
Would it be sprayed on , like the do weed killer, or by hand..
Thanks to brake dust, oil etc, the white paint barely lasts one summer. Therefore new rail would have to be repainted each spring. Most of the new rail would be laid in areas not requiring paint and it would be wasted.Would it not be easier and cheaper to just have the rail sprayed white at manufacturing?
Painting by hand seems an inefficient use of resources.