How far apart are these joints generally placed on contious welded rail? I assume it would depend on what part of the country they are located.
Thank you!
Your thinking is a little flawed. Only used around where rail has to be fixed in place ( scales, bridges unloading pits, crossing frogs, etc)
To supplement what mudchicken said above . . . And there either has to be a gap that is maintained at a precise opening - such as at a movable bridge, scale, car dumper, etc.- or the structure can’t tolerate either the rail moving and/ or the loads - either compression or tension - from either thermal changes or the rail ‘running’ into or out of it - such as a fixed bridge, the unloading pit trestle, crossing frogs, etc. Continuous Welded Rail - if properly adjusted to the ‘neutral temperature’ and anchored appropriately, may move a little - esp. on curves - but not so much that a Conley joint is needed to relieve the thermal stress or motion. The rail anchors do that, via the ties into the ballast, instead. - Paul North.