found a railroad rail

[kebo]

I have used a cutoff saw to cut rail. However...the blades will not reach all the way through the rail. I had to cut one side and then the other. Rail is heavy stuff, and there are different weights of rail. The standard main rail size weighs around 50 pounds per foot. 6 feet of it weighs around 300 pounds. I use a 6 foot piece on my box blade as extra ballast.

Redbug, did you know say that from knowing how to tell the rail size? Or just pure coincidence?? What I'm getting at is you were very close to defining how you tell different rail sizes from one another. If you take a 3 ft section of rail, and it weighs 115lbs, then guess what? It's 115lb rail!! If a 3ft section weighs 155lbs then it's 155lb rail, etc etc. I've worked for two different companies that provide equipment to railroads so I've come to learn a lot anbout the way they do things and terminology. But, 3 ft is the standard by which american rail is sized.

 

[Redbug]

Hi Kebo,

Yes, I have lived and been around railroads a good part of my life. Norfolk Southern runs across from my house. Always had a fascination for rail, engines and that sort of machinery. Some of the small pieces of rail I have gotten have dates as far back as 1898. And it does not look much different than some of today's rail. Some cross ties are dated also, if you look. One place not far from where I live now still has the old cisterns buried in the ground from the days of steam. Steam engines had to be replenished with water, and the water was pumped from the cisterns. It's a dangerous place now, but very interesting.

A couple pics...
My box blade/ballast weight. I have different rail sizes in 6 foot lengths to adjust ballast. One piece weighs about 150 pounds, half the weight of the one shown. Also a pic, (a little off topic), I think you will find interesting about rail...a new RR siding being installed...notice the two rails together...both are all one piece about 400 yards long each, brought in by RR flatcars and dropped off, pulled into place by dozer before the cross ties are laid. They are like long noodles when they move them around. You wouldn't expect that...

 

[BXinNH]

An oxy/acetylene torch with the right cutting tip would definitely cut the rail. If Mark L's idea about the 7 year olds doesn't work, leave it in a sealed room with a few firemen. Half of that rail will be broken into small pieces and the other half will be missing
Matt.

 

[coreshot]

a portable band saw will get through it with the least mess.

Rail is a great idea, I can't believe I hadn't thought of that, as I work for the Union Pacific. I'll have to talk to some buddies about getting a few pieces.

 

[bigdad]

Might I suggest smaller, say... 2 to 3 foot pieces for ease of handling. I use three footers of 132 with a five or six link piece of 3/8 inch chain welded on center. That way I can hook it easily and move/adjust it.

Also, an eight to ten inch piece of 132 lb. makes a real fine "mini-anvil".

Big Dad, Signal Inspector BNSF RR

 

[CurlyDave]

How about renting a gas powered cut-off saw?

Doing this will probably ruin the diamond blade.

A little chemistry: Diamonds are carbon. Carbon is very soluble in hot iron -- think about carbon steel and how it got its name.

When you start cutting, the steel gets red hot and dissolves the diamonds.

Now if you get an el cheapo abraisive blade for that cut off saw, go to it...

 

[radioman]

best option i would do is rent gas powered saw with abrasive blade. neater cut and it's cut once for what you need.

 

[JB4310]

Always wondered, does anyone know is the rolling surface hardened or not? or is it just the mass of steel that makes hardening unnecessary.

the band saw would be the cleanest and easiest of all, but not practical for out in a field.

a couple of pics of mine I got from a neighbor, is the heavy version for sure, never read the side.

JB.

 

[dirty Doug]

I found an 8' peice of rail being used as a fence post on my property .
This stuff is very heavy ! I ended up cutting into 24" peices and using for weight on the front of my trakta
I used a torch which made short work of it. It was butt ugly though. so I built a box out of 1/4" plate and slid the peices of rail inside.
I made a ANVIL out of a peice too.

 

[bigdad]

JB,

That I know of, the rolling surface known as the "ball" of the rail is not harder than the rest. I do know that some switch parts and frogs are harder than the 1/4 mile strings of rail. We drill it will very low speed 3/8 inch drills for wire connections and one can tell!

The track folks use 14 inch abrasive wheels to cut it. I don't know if there is anything special about them. I know the saws are specially made for rail cutting. Clamped on as not to bind in any way.

Always wondered, does anyone know is the rolling surface hardened or not? or is it just the mass of steel that makes hardening unnecessary.

the band saw would be the cleanest and easiest of all, but not practical for out in a field.

a couple of pics of mine I got from a neighbor, is the heavy version for sure, never read the side.

JB.