QUOTE (zedbob @ 18 Nov 2007, 20:19) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Whats the point in grinding the rails? I would have thought that would have been something to aviod as it would shorten the life of the rails.
It stops any surface imperfections or cracks spreading into the rail by grinding them out, Gauge corner cracking caused the Hatfield derailment.
QUOTE (BRITHO @ 19 Nov 2007, 16:45) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>See I told you it was spectacular - I defy Piermaster to get that effect on his layout.
Regards.
No I couldn't! However I have seen many rail grinders in action and the major company here in Europe and UK is Schweerbau, who have bought up all Loram (USA) British & European operations. Their UK offices are in Saffron Walden, Essex and nowhere near a railway line!
Here is Schweerbau's RGU2000 rail grinder at London Underground Hainault Depot on the Central Line.
LU will soon be taking delivery of a purpose-built tube-gauge combined rail-grinding and milling unit in the very near future. I've been informed that it may be put on show at the newly refurbished London's Transport Museum either at Covent Garden or the Museum Depot at Acton prior to it entering service.
just for a little more info, as the trains run over the rails the surface gets work hardened and is more suceptable to cracking. particularly at the gauge corner. (the inside edge fo the rail) the rail grinder takes off a layer that has been work hardened in order to prelong the life of the track.
The major cause of the hatfield crash wat the condition of the rails. they had been ground several times and had severe gauge corner cracking. instead of replacing them they just ran the grinder over them. they had been treated so many times that they just gave way.
I do somewhere have lots of side / detail shots of a Loram grinder taken a few years ago when one was conveiniantly parked at Yeovil Junction.
If anyones interested i may well upload a few of them at some stage.
Dave: I like that LU grinder ... Looks odd i have to say, but it must make quite a sight if your peering down a tunnel and see that thing coming in your direction.
QUOTE (Jennings @ 21 Nov 2007, 18:23) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>but it must make quite a sight if your peering down a tunnel and see that thing coming in your direction.
Which is sort of what I was getting at earlier - it really does have a "face"
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