Can someone tell this dumb English railroader what the extra clamps are on the rails either side of a railchair and rail tie as shown in the photo on the back cover of the May2009 MR?
ukrailroader
I don’t yet have the May issue, so I don’t know what clamp you talking about, however what you call a rail chair, we call a tie plate.
how can you be dumb? you guys started this railroad stuff before we did. seriously, i think you are referring to rail anchors which are driven in and bite into the cross tie (sleeper) to keep the rail from creeping. go to unitrail.com for a bunch of pictures and specifications or google rail anchors and you will get more information than you even want.
grizlump
p.s. did you englishmen ever figure out where the headlights belong on locomotives?
Many thanks for the info and kind word. My knowledge of US railroads is only what I learn from friends and MR as I cannot afford to come over to see for myself.
I also don’t understand how I get my MR before any of you guys in the States.
Thanks again for both replies.
ukrailroader
Those are rail anchors. Notice that there is one on each side of the tie. Their purpose is to prevent the rail from shifting position and damaging the tie.
Here’s a link to a company that manufactures rail anchors that explains how and why they are used.