Abstract: The sleeper (tie) comprises a body which has a variable cross section along its length and is made from reinforced polymer concrete with a dispersed reinforcement in the form of steel or synthetic fibres or both the one and the other together, which fibres compose 5-7% of the total mass of the body of the sleeper, are of different length and have a different percent of content depending on the type of fibre. At the points of fastening the rails, inserts are provided in the body, the height of the inserts satisfying the relationship: 2/3 H.sub.1 .gtoreq.H.sub.2 >1/3 H.sub.1, where H.sub.1 is the height of the highest portion at each end of the body of the sleeper, H.sub.2 is the height of the insert. The upper face of the middle part of the body is positioned higher than the lower face of the insert by a value .DELTA.H which is within the limits 0.5(H.sub.1 -H.sub.2)>.DELTA.H>0.1(H.sub.1 -H.sub.2). Metallic and wooden inserts of various geometric shape are used.

Abstract: In a prestressed concrete cross tie, a layer of steel reinforcements are located at or near the neutral axis of the cross tie section to minimize fatigue stress fluctuations. Deviation from the neutral axis is not great enough to cause stress fluctuations to exceed the endurance limit of the material. Because fatigue failure of prestressed concrete members is principally associated with reinforcement failure, increased fatigue life of the cross tie is achieved.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for processing steel strand wire cable and the like for use in prestressed concrete is disclosed in which the outer surface of the cable produced has a substantial pure rust or hydrated oxide coating thereon enabling the cable to be utilized immediately in concrete configurations to thereby produce substantially higher flexural strengths in prestressed concrete than heretofore in the prior art. The apparatus and method specifically encompasses the use of ultrasonic cleaning equipment which causes cavitation cleaning effects in the liquid medium through which the cable passes during its cleaning process. In effect, the ultrasonic cleaning "catalyzes" the chemical redox reactions by removing all surface inhibitors and reducing reactant diffusion barriers thus accelerating surface wetting of the strand cable with H.sub.2 O and O.sub.2, such that the rusting chemical reactions can occur spontaneously. The dominant bond developed between the steel and concrete is chemical.

Abstract: A concrete sleeper for track systems incorporating electrical circuitry, in which sleeper electrically conducting cables are embedded, and therefore concealed therein, with an assembly to allow electrical connection between the cables and associated tracks and associated track side circuitry. In order to obtain connection to the track side circuitry a recess is provided in one end of the sleeper and receives a terminal box having contacts for contacting exposed ends of the embedded cables and connections within the terminal box are in turn connected to the track side circuitry. In order to achieve an electrical connection with the tracks the cables are connected, within the sleeper, to embedded parts of shoulders of rail fastening assemblies of the type marketed under the name PANDROL.

Abstract: A base member, such as a cross tie, is molded of reinforced concrete or wood chips and resin. Depressions in the top of the base member are lined with pads of cushion material to seat the flanges of the rails. A pair of hold-down clips is seated on each pad on opposite sides of each rail. Bolts in the clips are secured by tubular nuts having deformed lower ends shaped to anchor the nuts in the molded base member.