Is it true that the rails on a track will expand due to hot tempratures?

Question

Is it true that the rails on a track will expand due to hot tempratures?

Answer 1

Yes, and contract during extremely cold ones.

Answer 2

OK, well 40 years ago in school I learned heat expands and cold contracts!!

Answer 3

Yes it is and tracks will buckle if they are not designed properly. In the old days fishplates allowed for movement but modern continuous welded track suffers thermal compression stress.

Answer 4

yes, thats why the track pieces have gaps in them

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So that when they expand, the tracks don't buckle and get damaged or cause accidents.

Answer 5

Yes, especially with ribbon rail.  I have seen rail buckle laterally 20 feet because of the expansion.

Answer 6

oh yes, its because things expand when they get hot. so they have to put a gap in between the rails.

Answer 7

yes... almost everything expand due to increase in temperature

Answer 8

Yes, a LOT

To counteract this on "ribbon rail" or continuous welded rail, there is no gaps. it is anchored very securely and the ties tamped with extra ballast so that the expansion is up and down instead of laterally.

On an extremely hot day the rail temperature will approach 150 degrees.

It can (and does) kick out sideways from the tension with just the slightest movement, such as a passing train.

Conversely, in cold weather rail will break with the slightest flaw or pounding from small flat spots on a wheel.

Allowing for expansion and contraction is one of the biggest challenges for track maintenance crews.