The report describes tests conducted on CSX wood-tie track to determine the long-term stability of track in the context of rail neutral temperature. Two test sites were chosen by the FRA and CSX in Georgia: one a tangent section of high-tonnage (50 mgt/year) track north of Carterville, Georgia, and the second a 6-degree curve on grade just south of Manchester, Georgia. Each test section was instrumented over a 1600 ft section with 15 pairs of strain gage and thermocouple transducers, measuring rail longitudinal stress (load) and rail temperature. In addition, surveyor's benchmarks were set in beside the track to monitor the dimensional stability of the track. Tests were conducted over a 20-month period at the tangent section, and a 17-month period at the curved section. Over the course of the program, the effects of rail distress, time and traffic, yearly seasons, maintenance (tie renewal and surfacing), and repair of a track misalignment were determined. The tangent track rail neutral temperature (RNT) was found to follow seasonal average temperatures, varying over roughly a 10-degree F temperature range, but returning to very nearly the original value.
Rail Neutral Temperature Test on CSX
1990
76 pages
Report
No indication
English
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