Abstract: The present invention is a joint bar wherein the load is transferred from the wheel thread and top of rail onto the wheel flange by means of a ramp built into the inside joint bar. The increasing ramp height ensures that the wheel does not impact the receiving rail. When the wheel has crossed the joint the decreasing ramp action transfers the load back to the wheel thread and onto the top of the rail.

Abstract: A rail cap for spanning a gap between two longitudinally adjacent rail sections. The rail cap includes a downwardly opening channel member mountable over the top of the rail sections across the gap. A lower clamping member is insertable beneath each rail section and securable to the channel member. A lateral restraint is provided for preventing the channel from moving toward the inside of the track. A longitudinal restraint is provided which interacts with the channel member and the ends of the gap between the rail sections to prevent longitudinal movement of the rail cap. A guide block is provided along an outer leg of the channel member to guide an inner flange of a wheel away from an inner leg of the channel member.

Abstract: The temporary rail bridge (20) of the illustrated embodiment includes a bridge number (20) that is coupled to a track rail (16) by screw clamps (24). Each of the screw clamps (24) includes an internal tensioning component such as a spring (58) that allows for fast installation of the rail bridge (20) and maintains continuous pressure engagement in operation. The rail bridge (20) reduces track closure time due to rail damage and associated costs and inconvenience.

Abstract: A double-gauge rail system for the rolling stock of railroad trains including pairs of rails of differing gauges, with the rail track sections of each gauge being in axial alignment but separate and not welded together at the section ends. The inner and outer rail sections of the two gauges at least partially overlap so that the inner rail sections extend across the gaps of the outer rail sections and, likewise, the outer rail sections extend across the gaps of the inner rail sections. To provide continuous contact between the wheels and rails sections, each axle of a vehicle car or engine has pairs of wheels on each end of the axle; the outer pair of wheels corresponding to the outer gauge and the inner pair of wheels corresponding to the inner gauge, so that the wheels of at least one rail gauge are in contact with the corresponding pair of rail sections.

Abstract: Two rails are disposed in a direction of wheel travel and joined at their ends so as to permit continuous rolling of the wheel from one rail to the other. These rails maintain the wheel at a predetermined elevation, and the ends have a gap therebetween. The wheel is supported in a region overlapping the gap at an elevation equal to the predetermined elevation of the rails without any significant drop of the wheel into the gap. The wheel may be elevated to maintain the predetermined elevation by contacting a rolling surface location thereon, differing from that normally contacted by at least one of the two rails. The wheel may also be elevated over the gap by a support positioned along the side of at least one of the two rails that extends outward away from the end of the rail in the direction of wheel travel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for replacing old trackwork rail with new continuous welded rail including a temporary bridge for transferring rolling stock from the oil rail onto the new rail.