Expansion joints are used in the U.S. There are
expansion joints on both tracks just before the large swing
bridge in Vancouver, Wash. They can be seen from the area of
the Vancouver passenger station. From what I understand, these
expansion joints require regular maintenance and are not
particularly practical out on the open lines.


And, years ago when I had a permit for an engine ride in Europe,
we did encounter a sun kink in Austria. I think the German term
was Gleisverwerfung (track distortion). There were some MoW
people with buckets of cold water from a nearby stream trying to
cool the tracks until further adjustments could be made. We
were only delayed a few minutes and went through the problem area
at low speed.

-- Ernest