Abstract: An expansion device for a rail suitable for guiding a wheel of a vehicle along a track, and a method for installing the expansion device. Specifically, the rail has a portion of track formed of a series of elements in the form of transverse track plates whose cross section is the same as that of the rail. The track plates are arranged in longitudinal succession along the portion with compressible modules inserted between them.

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.