Abstract: A connection for connecting a pair of rail members end to end, each rail member having a base, web, and a railhead. The connection comprises a tongue projecting endwise from the railhead of one rail member into a slot in the railhead of the other rail member, with the top of the tongue generally flush with the top of the railheads and the bottom of the tongue slidable on the other rail member for transmitting loads applied to the top of the railheads. The connection further comprises a longitudinally extending end projection on the other rail member slidable in a recess in the one rail member. The end projection is engageable with the one rail member for limiting the extent of the relative longitudinal movement and for transmitting tension force along the rail members. The connection transmits longitudinal, lateral and downward vertical loads on the rail members while allowing thermal expansion of the rail members, and presents a continuous load bearing surface along the top of the railheads.

Abstract: An insulated joint is provided for use between sections of rail that are disposed in adjacent signal circuits. The insulated joint includes a separator disposed between a pair of dielectric end posts. The end posts have a plan configuration substantially identical to the cross section of the rail sections with which they are used. The separator is constructed from a material having sufficient strength to enable it to withstand the forces exerted by the wheels of the train. The insulating fabric disposed between the joint bar and the rail is removed at least in the portion thereof adjacent the separator head portion thereby avoiding the problem of having the insulating fabric wear adjacent the separator. In locations where the separator would be subject to greater than normal forces, a head portion with a height greater than that of the rail sections is provided to increase the strength of the separator.