Track question

[RedPostJunc]

While waiting for a delayed train recently, I noticed this on a piece of track. What is it and why has it been sprayed white?

 

[najaB]

Looks like a joint in continuous welded rail, but no doubt someone with more knowledge will be along soon to correct me.

As to why it's painted white, it's to try and reduce thermal expansion.

 

[GardenRail]

They're clamps, possibly to hold a weak weld from getting any worse etc. Can also be used where a fishplate has broken, or a crack in the rail.

 

[RedPostJunc]

Thanks for the prompt replies. Looking at the rail, there is a semicircular blob underneath the top part. Is that where two rails are welded together?
The track in question did not appear to have fishplates.

Any idea why they are sprayed white?

 

[zwk500]

Thanks for the prompt replies. Looking at the rail, there is a semicircular blob underneath the top part. Is that where two rails are welded together?

Looks very like it.

Any idea why they are sprayed white?

To reduce thermal expansion in direct sunlight. In a joint with potential weakness this is particularly important.

 

[najaB]

Looking at the rail, there is a semicircular blob underneath the top part. Is that where two rails are welded together?

Yup. There are a bunch of YouTube videos demonstrating the process, for example:

 

[Ploughman]

Painted white, but could be any other visible spray, so that they can be seen by Tamper operators.
Same reason for the arrow on the sleeper.

As for Thermal expansion, the length is not long enough to be any concern.

 

[oxfordrelayer]

Thanks for the prompt replies. Looking at the rail, there is a semicircular blob underneath the top part. Is that where two rails are welded together?
The track in question did not appear to have fishplates.

Any idea why they are sprayed white?

Failed welds - sprayed white so that the tamper doesn't hit them

 

[Snow1964]

If you look at furthest rail, you will also see what looks like two pins or bolts sticking out the side of the rail, either side of clamped section.

These are normally used to attach track circuiting wires where there are joints in track, don't need them to link either side of a fully welded joint. Suggests might not have been originally welded.

 

[Yoki]

I agree - Looking at the rail, perhaps this was a rerail site and bonded around a temporary clamped joint? Rail on the right appears to be slightly newer and if you have a look on the foot it appears to be a slightly deeper section.

 

[Annetts key]

Likely the end of a rerailing site. Both rails having been renewed in one direction only. Rails may have been temporary clamped at first, due to insufficient time during the occupation to weld them. Hence the track circuit bonding pins. Then at a later date, both rails were welded. Hence the track circuit cables were no longer required.

Alternatively, there used to be an insulated rail joint (IRJ) here. But due to signalling alterations, the IRJs were no longer required. Hence the redundant track circuit bonding pins. After the removal of the plates and insulations for the IRJs, the rails were welded together.

Since then, both welds have failed an inspection. Hence both have been temporary clamped again. Painted white so that they stand out for reasons given earlier. This temporary clamped arrangement may stay in place for years.

The welds may have been done in a rush, hence why they have failed an inspection.