The OP is a new member and possibly not au fait with railway terminology. So for the avoidance of doubt, "cant" (or "superelevation" to be strictly accurate with modern use) is the lateral gradient of the track, i.e. the difference in height between the left hand rail and the right hand one. Or in layman's terms, "banking" (which itself has a very different meaning in railway circles).We used to use similar markers to indicate cant. When concrete sleepers came along we started to use epoxy to stick the plates on.
Thankyou yes I’m not very good with the terminology! My Dad was a train driver all his life. He worked from Glasgow Central. I know some driver terminology but not rail tracks and maintenance etc!The OP is a new member and possibly not au fait with railway terminology. So for the avoidance of doubt, "cant" (or "superelevation" to be strictly accurate with modern use) is the lateral gradient of the track, i.e. the difference in height between the left hand rail and the right hand one. Or in layman's terms, "banking" (which itself has a very different meaning in railway circles).
Conveniently, using standard gauge and imperial units, the angle and height of superelevation have almost the same numerical value.We used to use similar markers to indicate cant. When concrete sleepers came along we started to use epoxy to stick the plates on.
Thankyou, can I ask when concrete sleepers came in ?We used to use similar markers to indicate cant. When concrete sleepers came along we started to use epoxy to stick the plates on.
Chainage as in just every sleeper had a number or did it mean something else ?I think they are chainage markers.
Cant would usually be in multiples of five…
Chainage as in every chain will be 22 yards. 80 per mile.Thankyou, can I ask when concrete sleepers came in ?
Chainage as in just every sleeper had a number or did it mean something else ?
Is there anyway of knowing what age these sleepers could be ?
Thankyou ! Yes I’m finding that outChainage as in every chain will be 22 yards. 80 per mile.
Not easy to tell the age of wood sleepers!
The first were before WW2, but they really came in the 60s IIRC with continuous welded rail on higher-speed routes.Thankyou, can I ask when concrete sleepers came in?
Dendrochronology ?Not easy to tell the age of wood sleepers!
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) at Garston, N. of Watford, Herts, was asked in WW2 to look at concrete sleepers as an urgently needed substitute for hard to get timber. In 1942 they made measurements of the forces acting on sleepers on a main line railway. This led to the development of concrete sleepers and BRE was also involved in the early post-WW2 period in further developments in this area.Thankyou, can I ask when concrete sleepers came in ?......
The timber has started to split at the end.The binding is used to prevent the end of the sleeper from splitting further. A short term (but not ideal) fix.This metal is on some of them, just wondering if that gives any clues ? View attachment 157412
Thankyou so this would not have been done by the railway maintenance then? So by the sellers of the sleepers perhaps ?The timber has started to split at the end.The binding is used to prevent the end of the sleeper from splitting further. A short term (but not ideal) fix.
It would have been done in-stitu by the railway maintenance crew, as this splitting is due to aging, exposure to weather and the physical disturbance of the sleeper on the ballast by passing trains.Thankyou so this would not have been done by the railway maintenance then? So by the sellers of the sleepers perhaps ?
Thankyou very muchIt would have been done in-stitu by the railway maintenance crew, as this splitting is due to aging, exposure to weather and the physical disturbance of the sleeper on the ballast by passing trains.
Thankyou very muchIt would only be a short term repair (depending on line speed) as eventually the chair fastenings could work loose.