Abstract: An alignment system and method are described for aligning and supporting facing ends of two rails so that they can be secured together (e.g., by welding or bonding). The alignment system includes a pair of lift plates to support the ends of the rails. The lift plates are able to adjust the relative vertical positions of the ends of the rails to be joined and are also able to adjust the angular position or attitude of the rail ends. A pair of adjustable gauge members are separately attached at one end to the lift plate and at the opposite end to a rail member parallel to the rails to be joined. The gauge members are adjustable as to length so that the lateral position of the rails to be joined can be determined and controlled. After the ends of the two rails are properly aligned they can be joined together (e.g., by welding or bonding).

Abstract: A universal non-spreading railroad track haulage tie and support therefor characterized by opposed rail supporting channels, coaxially aligned with the rails of a railroad, the channels being secured together and against the rails respectively by a tie gauge rod; including a modification for securing the tie rod and assembly to angle joint bars or splice bar assemblies which are conventionally used in the fitting of standard A.S.C.E. type rails and the like. The invention has particular utility in electric underground railway tracking. It may be affectively adapted to enchanced highway crossings of a railway, to repairs to existing conventional wood tie constructions to curves and switches of the steel railway, etc.

Abstract: An insulated gauge rod is disclosed which comprises a fiberglass rod secured to and extending between a pair of metal castings which are threadably mounted on the ends of metal rods which are secured to the spaced-apart railroad tracks. Each of the castings is provided with a cavity at one end thereof which receives one end of the fiberglass rod. The interior wall surface of the cavity is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart ridges defining frusto-conical shaped cavities therebetween. An epoxy material secures the fiberglass rod to the casting. The method of securing the fiberglass rod to the casting is also described.