What are the mechanics of laying down new rail on a sharp radius turnout....?

[Modelcar]

...Just how is it done. What means is taken to "bend" the rail in a constant radius curve such as in a yard...Perhaps another example would be in a street running transit system which would require a 90 degree turn into another street.

[Hugh Jampton]

They use a machine located in a shop. It has 3 rollers which are adjusted to give the correct radius and the rails are fed through it one at a time

[Modelcar]

Thanks Hugh...Looks like not many have the answer...I've always wondered when having to do such a build or replacement out in the boondocks how it is accomplished.

[Hugh Jampton]

When laying CWR they just bend it on site,, just like flex track.
Rail is surprisingly bendy in the sideways direction.

[Anonymous]

I hear on the UP switches are premade and carried out to the location

[Modelcar]

...Yea, that makes sense of building as much of the switch at the shop as possible and transporting it to the site.

[Anonymous]

Recently, I saw a turnout being constructed on site. It was premade in an adjacent parking lot and then set in place.

The ties were laid out, then the rails were placed and spiked.

I got to see the rails being welded together by thermite. After the rails were positioned, a mold that fits around and under the joint was placed and sealed with clay. While the joint was being heated with a large "rosebud", a ceramic crucible was filled with a concoction of metals and cumbustibles. Once the joint was ready, the crucible was placed on top of the joint and lit. A large flame, a lot of heat, and molten metal flowed into the joint. After that, the crucible was removed, and the stem and slag were broken off before they got too cool. I didn't see, but later the joint had to be grinded.

[ericsp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jruppert

I hear on the UP switches are premade and carried out to the location

Occasionally, I will see a gondola carrying a turnout, both on UP and BNSF.

[Modelcar]

jruppert...Were any bending of rails accomplished there on the parking lot....? Or were the parts [rails], being added and welded in place just straight sections...?

[Anonymous]

What I saw was the straight stock rail being welded. The diverging stock rail and the frog were already in place, the points had not been installed yet. I wi***hat question had occured to me while I was there, I would have asked it. I believe the turnout was being constructed on site because it was going to be placed in the middle of a grade crossing, so the turnout and the crossing material had to be made to fit.

The only thing I was thinking at the time was that I was late to pick my wife up from work and she would be mad ( oh well!), and I should have brought marshmallows !!!

[Modelcar]

....Thanks for additional info jruppet. Every bit helps.

[Randy Stahl]

For street car type curves I have used a portable rail bender, A machine with big clamps rollers and hydraulic cylinders. Rail does bend easily to a point , but it will snap. I don't care how many big guys are working for you they will never bend 115 lb rail into a 90 deg curve with lining bars .
Randy

[Anonymous]

Some switches come with rails that terminate with pins that fit into holes in the adjacent rail !!!!!![:D]

[Modelcar]

...I figured there had to be some complication to it all....I just can't imagine laying down a new piece of rail on a location for a sharp radius curve and manhandle it into place. Thanks for the various answers.