Re: relay rail

Fortunately, the loads on the rail re light. The track speed is relatively low, and once the locomotive goes across the track, the cars put little stress into the track structure. Add to that, there are usually only 2 trains a day over the line. That keeps wear to a minimum.

One of the track programs in the early 2000's had the outside rail on the curves east of Osier (where the 70lb rail starts) being replaced with 90lb. Not being a track expert, I wondered if having a mismatched rail weight was a good thing. The guy in charge (a contractor) told me he was going to do that so he didn't have to super elevate the curves (the 90lb being taller than the 70 lb).

I had doubts about that logic, and I have no idea how long that practice continued, or if it is still employed.