Abstract: Concrete railroad ties are made having steel plates cast directly into the concrete railroad tie so that the top surface of each steel plate is even with the top surface of the concrete railroad tie. Fasteners for the rails can be welded to anywhere within the steel plate. Additionally, each steel plate can be cast into one of two different positions of the concrete railroad tie thus, creating more flexibility as to the positions of the rail fasteners on the railroad tie and reducing the length of the steel plate needed by half to three inches. By utilizing this assembly, the amount of concrete the patterns needed in a turnout is reduced.

Abstract: A system for securing a rail to a concrete railroad tie employing a two-piece insulator spacer that improves the resistance of the insulator spacer to the crushing deterioration induced by laterally-directed compressive forces during service. The insulator spacer comprises an upper member and a post member. The post member is subjected to high compressive loads in service and consists of composite material that is sufficiently electrically insulating to operably electrically insulate the rail with which the insulator spacer is in contact from the shoulder insert with which the improved insulator spacer is also in contact.

Abstract: A system for securing a rail to a concrete railroad tie employing an improved insulator spacer that improves the resistance of the insulator spacer to the crushing deterioration induced by laterally-directed compressive forces during service. The improved insulator spacer has at least one composite insert located in an area that is subjected to high compressive loads in service. The composite insert or inserts are sufficiently electrically insulating to operably electrically insulate the rail the improved insulator spacer is in contact with from the shoulder insert the improved insulator spacer is also in contact with.