LORAM story in Trains leaves burning questions

[Poppa_Zit]

I enjoyed the article on today's rail grinders in the July Trains magazine, but it got me to thinking, which can be dangerous.

Who came up with the concept of grinding rails?

Did they do this in the 19th Century, or simply replace the worn rails?

How many years ago did the practice of rail-grinding begin, where, and which railroad pioneered it?

I realize that wheel wear is also a factor, but how many times can rail be re-ground before it must be replaced?