The recently saw cut end (top right) clearly shows the distinctive "pear" shape of this early iron rail. " In the illustration above the end on view (top left) shows an uneven joint face which is most likely the result of the original length being cut on site with a rail chisel when the rail was laid. “RIC 64” 50-Pound “Pear” Yard/Siding Rail, Colfax, California is this, which includes a photo : Then the worker would jam a steel rod into the cut, and bang on it until the rail broke.
One hit the chisel with a sledge, all around the rail, cutting into it 1/4 inch or so. These chisels are used to cut the rail to the desired length. Marked Southern Pacific (middle) and Western Pacific Railroad (left) rail chisels are also shown. " The unmarked Central Pacific rusted rail chisel (right) is very close in shape to a spike hammer. Graves Collection, under the heading of Rail Chisels from the WPRR, SP Co., and CPRR, about 3/4 of the way down, which includes some photos : However, I believe - but am not certain - that current rails have a BHN in the 340 range, so that today's rails are considerably harder and tougher now.įrom this webpage - = Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum - California Iron from the G. įurther on thise - I note that the specs for the PRR's Rail Cutter mention that the test rails should have a Brinell Hardness Number of about 260. If I remember it, I'll ask them to bring one out someday, and when we have a 'down' moment of some kind we'll see if we can still get it to 'work' - or not. I just happen to now be working on a couple of projects with those guys. Also, such things as the middle 'hold-down' rails under the Hayes bumpers,and the last rail of a track - how those were cut to length really didn't matter, since they would never carry a wheel load.
#RAILROAD TRACK HAMMER PATCH#
(I know, I know - those are not to be used on main line rails, and often not on industrial tracks either - but sometimes an expedient was needed in an 'emergency' situation to patch the tracks together after a derailment, or pending more permanent repairs, etc. Especially since each crew also had a 'hot saw' with them - the oxygen-acetylene cutting torch outfit. We had enough rail saws - first the gas-engine powered reciprocating hacksaw type, then the gas-powered abrasive wheel type - that there was no need to get the old rail cutters out. Where I used to work there was usually 1 or 2 around in each tool truck and trailer, but I don't believe I ever saw one used. 1931 - but I sure wouldn't want to try to cut/ break one of today's tough and tempered 141-RE rails with one ! rails - note that the linked plan is dated May 1920, last revised Jan. They probably worked pretty well back in the day of comparatively brittle and light 60 to 85 and maybe 100 lb. Prop the rail at the cut line over something solid to serve as a fulcrum, and whack the 'free end' with a heavy hammer, and you should get a pretty clean cut. Works pretty much on the same principle as a glass cutter - 'score' the head of the rail with the cutter to cause a 'stress concentration' there to start the break/ cut, and maybe the web and the base, too, to control the break line there as well.
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