Joint between two different sizes of rail         
Noticeable joint in the rails in front of the Kirkwood Amtrak station. This was where two different sizes of rail were joined together. During the fall of 2006, the Union Pacific Railroad undertook an extensive track rehabilitation program and replaced the rails with 141lb rail throughout this stretch of track.
Date: 4/8/2007 Location: Kirkwood, MO   Map Show Kirkwood on a rail map Views: 348 Collection Of:   William Acord
Author:  William Acord
Joint between two different sizes of rail
Picture Categories: This picture is part of album:  Railroad Miscellaneous
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User Comments
Name Type Comments Date
Pat Scott General This joiner bar is meant to be this way. It connects two different size rails. The bend in it is meant to be there. 4/9/2007 7:35:41 PM
aleister michaels General Correct Patrick. These are known as transistion bars or comp bars to compensate for the different size/pound rail. It probably goes from 132lb to 133lb or 133lb to 136lb rail, albeit if you look on the rail it's embossed on it. Shy of replacing the rail and making it all the same size, there is not much they can do at this joint. Just another aspect of railroading. 4/10/2007 12:04:27 PM
Mick Walker General Correct Mr. Michaels. To be technical the rail to the left is 133# (per yard) rail which is 7 1/16" tall. The rail to right is 136# which is 7 5/16" tall. The compromise bar corrects this difference. Swaying trains is from unstable roadbed which is pumping mud. 4/12/2007 11:38:59 PM

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