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Railway Tracks
Railway Tracks
Rail tracks are made of metals that can withstand tough conditions. One good thing about rail tracks is that it can be manufactured and exported to other countries especially underdeveloped countries that don’t have the capacity to manufacture and install these rail tracks.
What are railway tracks made of.
Modern track typically uses hot-rolled steel with a profile of an asymmetrical rounded I-beam. Unlike some other uses of iron and steel, railway rails are subject to very high stresses and have to be made of very high-quality steel alloy.
Why are there stones on railway tracks:
The crushed stones you see alongside railroad tracks are what is known as ballast. Their purpose is to hold the wooden cross ties in place, which in turn hold the rails in place. The answer is to start with the bare ground, and then build up a foundation to raise the track high enough so it won't get flooded.
How do railroad tracks work:
Railroad tracks guide the train, acting as the low-friction surface on which the train runs and often transferring the weight of the train to the ground below. The rails are usually bolted to the ties. The ties are set into the loose gravel or ballast.
How far apart are railway tracks:
4 feet, 8.5 inches.
The US standard railroad gauge (distance between the rails) is 4 feet, 8.5 inches.
Countries with Largest Railway Networks in World.
United States - 250,000 km. The US rail network, with an operating route length over 250,000 km, is the biggest in the world.
China - 124,000 km.
Russia - 86,000 km.
India - 68,525 km.
Canada - 48,000 km.
Germany - 43,468 km.
Australia - 40,000 km.
Brazil - 37,743 km.
Why is there gap between railway tracks:
These gaps which are of the order of a few millimeters, are provided to allow room for the rails to expand the rise in temperature due to the atmospheric temperature as well as the friction caused by running of train. All materials expand when heated and contract when cooled.
Why do train tracks have wood:
The planks are called railroad ties, and are used to hold the track in place. Without the ties, there would be nothing to hold the rail from moving and spreading causing a derailment. These ties also are treated with creosote, and the track bed is designed to stop water from pooling around the rail.
Why do train wheels not slip:
When a rail wheel run off the track, it's called derail. Train wheels do not run off by the track due it's design/shape, train wheels have a conical geometry, which is the primary means of keeping the train's motion aligned with the track. For most cases the wheels don't slip, rather roll. This is due to friction.
How long do railroad tracks last:
There actually are simple.
Train rails last anywhere from 3 to 100+ years. Curves wear out a lot faster then straight sections of track do. On a really busy section of railroad, the curves could be replaced every two to three years.
How hard is railroad track:
1084 steel can usually be heat treated up to 65 Rockwell C, but at that hardness it's very brittle. A more ideal hardness is around 60-62 Rc, where the metal is sufficiently tough to resist cracking. At that hardness, the steel has a really good wear resistance.
Why are railroad tracks 4 feet 8.5 inches apart:
The US standard railroad gauge (width between the two rails) is 4 feet, 8.5 inches. Because the first rail lines were built by the same people who built the pre-railroad tramways, and that's the gauge they used.
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