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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by nbrodar An amazing property of steel, it stretchs. Rail is typically laid in the hottest part of the year, so that it's at in maximum length. Then when it gets cold, the rail simply stretches, as it contracts. I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but that's how it works. There is also some room for expansion/contraction at any bolted joints (usually around breaks between blocks). Nick [/quote] Amazing! True, if it is layed at the hottest day it will not expand any more, only contract. And contracting won't cause buckling. But still, wouln't this excess stretching cause rail or rail joiners to break? Another question - why for over a century rail was laid in short peices and only recently long rails are being used. The trouble with joints was always biggest pain in the rear to maintain.
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