Black rails

[Anonymous]

Well, I’m no rail designer, but another theory i have come up with is this…

We all know about rail can bend and get distorted in the sun, so, if it is a hard layer of plactic or tar, it may contain a easily broken wire. I know that if a rail breaks, it sets off the ABS or other system, but if this layer bends (the rail bends), the metal strip inside will break, setting off a warning that the rail has bent or heated up.

Actually, I would like if a RR worker could tell us what it is, I wanna know!

[CShaveRR]

Brak, the post above yours is from probably the most eminent authority available on the subject!

[spbed]

Aha proves there is a answer for almost anything. Thanks [:p]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dldance

just traveled through some of that area. the rail is heavy and some of it is on concrete ties - so it is of recent vintage. Against the gray ballast commonly used in that area, the rail looks black - but it is just iron scale from the rolling process. With the long tangents in that area - there is no need for flange oilers. The geographical area is quite dry (except for the blizzard that I had to avoid) and so the red rust common in other areas almost never forms - even on the head of unused rails.

dd

[richardy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Brak710101

Well, I’m no rail designer, but another theory i have come up with is this…

We all know about rail can bend and get distorted in the sun, so, if it is a hard layer of plactic or tar, it may contain a easily broken wire. I know that if a rail breaks, it sets off the ABS or other system, but if this layer bends (the rail bends), the metal strip inside will break, setting off a warning that the rail has bent or heated up.

What???

[Anonymous]

After reading some of these post, I think some of us have been in the sun too long!?!?!
Maybe some sunglasses would help… [8D]
[:D] [:D] [:D] [:D] [:D]

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Brak710101

I know that if a rail breaks, it sets off the ABS or other system, but if this layer bends (the rail bends), the metal strip inside will break, setting off a warning that the rail has bent or heated up.

Talk about your maintenance headaches…