TURNOUTS, DIAMONDS AND SPECIAL TRACKWORK

This article discusses research and testing conducted by several railroad manufacturers to standardize manufacturing processes and improve the functionality and lifespan of railroad equipment and structures. Cleveland Track Material, which manufactures all product lines of special trackwork, performs its own design or engineering work using standardized processes and procedures for all aspects of control. DAMY, Meridian Rail, and Progress Rail Services are also briefly profiled for their products. The article concludes with a description of some tests conducted at the Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) in which different designs and materials were implemented for improving the performance and service life of special trackwork under heavy-axle-load (HAL) operations.