Abstract: An improved welding process in which two metallic pieces are each composed of weld compatible parent metal, one metallic piece has one surface and the other metallic piece has another surface each having prominences positioned thereon and an oxide of parent metal disposed on the overlying surfaces and prominences including the steps of applying a force along longitudinal axis of metallic pieces to position the prominences to abut; applying a force transverse to the longitudinal axis of one metallic piece providing relative movement in first and second directions transverse to the longitudinal axes, causing displacement to the cross sections of the metallic pieces, moving one surface transverse relative to other surface and the longitudinal axis; and causing an electrical current to pass through metallic pieces elevating temperatures with electric resistance heating for thermal-fusion welding by the relative movement.

Abstract: A suspended rail welder which includes, generally, two clamping units which are supported by a beam which is affixed to a boom for raising and lowering the rail welder to the rails which are to be welded together. The two clamping units are coupled to one another by a pair of upset tube assemblies which extend between and through both clamping units. Each of these upset tube assemblies is formed of a hollow rectangular tube which supports within them a straight edge which is used to geometrically align both horizontally and vertically the rails to be welded together.