found a railroad rail

[sandman2234]

For me and my projects, I use a torch (Acetylene) to cut rails with. I also have a table that was made (not by me) from rails, and it was dropped into a dumpster, where I rescued it. I dropped it on a corner as I got it out, and then dropped it off the back end of a tractor trailer when I got home. If the welds can stand up to that kind of shock, then they must be able to be made by the average "joe", as we didn't have any real welders in the truck shop that made the table.
For those of you that are suggesting a band saw be used, you must like buying blades a lot more than i do.
David from jax

 

[SPYDERLK]

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.

Likely it starts out the same. The wheels rolling on it will work harden the part they touch. It will get harder in only a thin layer near the surface.
larry

 

[wildviking]

Likely it starts out the same. The wheels rolling on it will work harden the part they touch. It will get harder in only a thin layer near the surface.
larry

Huge difference in rails now they have differnt types depending on the service and where they will be used. They have hardened for curves because they will wear more in the curves . it is quite a science now compared to even 20 years ago in the types of rail used and where and how much tonnage is planned on running over it . Big torch will cut it fine but blade will do a nicer job . I have cut some with my small torch here at home and yes does take quite awhile .

 

[kebo]

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...

Redbug, that 400 yd long piece of rail is known as "ribbon rail" for obvious reasons. It's one continous piece of ribbon so to speak.