Curious Wrote:
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> And also, is the steel used for CWR different?
No
> I always just assumed that you could take any old
> rail, dump some thermite on it, and voila! (OK ok,
> I know the process is rather involved, but still.)

Actually that is surprisingly close to how it works. However, more and more flash butt welding has taken the place of thermite. There are plants that take rail from rolling mills and flash butt weld it to make CWR then load rail trains. This video is from China (I believe) but is a great demonstration of how the process works.
[youtu.be]
This video is from RTD (Denver CO) and shows how they flash butt weld 80’ long sticks of rail into 800’ long strings for use on their “light Rail” and commuter lines.
[youtu.be]
I have heard that UP and other class 1’s will often take joined rail that is in good shape from an abandoned branch line and run it through a welding plant to make CWR that is used in yards and sidings.

Very interesting info on the FRA CWR requirements. When the W&I built their new unit grain train loader near Oakesdale WA I was surprised to see that they installed the rail as jointed and didn’t weld it. It is kind of weird to see brand new track on concrete ties that is jointed rail, but the new regulations would explain that.


Matt F
Moscow ID