FLANGE-BEARING-FROG DESIGNS: ADVANCED IDEAS FOR CROSSING DIAMONDS

Turnouts and special trackwork provide some of the greatest challenges in rail engineering, demanding a combination of greater initial investment and more ongoing maintenance than almost any part of the track structure. Both operating railroads and their suppliers have focused enormous attention on developing designs, materials and maintenance practices to help optimize the performance of these components. Among developments that have marked this period of improvements are the use of advanced tangential geometry turnout designs, super hardened steels, electron beam welding techniques, improved turnout frogs that utilize fewer fasteners and upgraded bolts that are applied with hi-tech wrenches. Continuing research indicates that flange bearing frog designs may work in heavy haul environments.