Interesting rail joint

[Greg_Lewis]

Hi boys and girls.... here's another interesting detail on British rail. I've seen a number of these on different lines. Looks like an expansion joint. Clever.

[R Paul Carey]

Your image is of a mitre ("miter") joint, to allow for rail expansion in certain critical areas. They are most commonly used in connection with movable rail bridge spans.

[Tharper]

Here is a good one

[NP317]

A dutchman made with spikes. Creative, and scary.
Perhaps called a Spikeman?
~RN

[Fender]

Your image is of a mitre ("miter") joint, to allow for rail expansion in certain critical areas. They are most commonly used in connection with movable rail bridge spans.

I’ve also seen these on steep grades on Cass Scenic RR in WV, where the rail tends to creep downhill over a period of time. Usually the tapered section is only on one side, and fits against a stock rail on the other side of the joint. As the rail works downgrade, the stock rail slides against the tapered rail.

[ccvstmr]

Many don't realize there's "rail creep" in our hobby rails as well. Talking about the physical track structure and not necessarily....(never mind). Seen all too often where rail gaps near the bottom of a grade close up over time. Even had one guy complain there were no rail gaps. Well, the rail gaps were there when the track was installed...but closed up over time.

Trains traveling downgrade are braking...and pushing the rail in front of the train. Trains traveling upgrade...are trying to pull the rail under the train. There's an old joke about the track gang foreman removing a section of rail at the bottom of the hill...and moving that back to the top of the hill!

Would add....rail creep and rail expansion/contraction due to temperature variations are two different things. Carl B.