Question

What does the weight of the rails depends upon?

(a) Speed of train

(b) Gauge of the tracks

(c) Nature of traffic

(d) Speed of train, gauge of tracks and nature of traffic

This question was posed to me during an online exam.

This interesting question is from Dealing with Railways in chapter P.W.D of Civil Engineering Drawing

Answer 1

Right option is (d) Speed of train, gauge of tracks and nature of traffic

Explanation: The weight of a rail per length is an important factor in determining rails strength and hence axle loads and speeds.

Weights are measured in pounds per yard or kilograms per metre; the pounds-per-yard figure is almost exactly double the kilograms-per-metre figure. Rails in Canada, the United Kingdom and United States are described using imperial units. In Australia, metric units are used as in mainland Europe.

Commonly, in rail terminology Pound is a contraction of the expression pounds per yard and hence a 132–pound rail means a rail of 132 pounds per yard.