Greetings!I have a question for you. Even though this question doesn't seem to have anything to do with preservation, it does...at least in a roundabout way. What would the maximum weight loading be for 75lb rail made in 1902? This rail is on a spur that in addition to supporting historical equipment, would be used for loaded 286,000 lb cars. Granted, we are talking about very minimal speeds. Personally, I believe the key is not the rail, but what is under it...as long as the ties are healthy the rail will be fine. Thoughts?God Bless,Gerald W. Kopiasz

The part of the IRM mainline between the museum "campus" and the C&NW connection was originally 60 and 65 # 'junk rail'. It was later changed out for New Haven 78#, and may have been changed again for 80# ASCE. EVERYTHING at IRM has made the trip over this section of track: several 4-8-4's, the N&W Y-3, a GG1. Given good ties and more importantly, well drained ballast, it should be fine for an occasional movement.

While I am generaly working on the stuff moving over the rail and not the rail under neith of it (there for consider me no expert), I have noticed that lighter rail and heavier loads generally requires more attention to lining and surface. Basicly keep good ties and ballast under it, and then all you have to do is keep it straight and the joints level. The lighter the rail the more it seems prone to moving and giving with increased loads.

Here on the Aberdeen and Rockfish we regularly run cars weighing 263,000 and occasionally cars weighing 286,000 pounds on 75AS and 75 Dudley rail. Our largest locomotives are a pair of GP-38s. The track speed is 25 MPH. With reasonable tie and surface conditions 75 pound rail will be no trouble to operate over on an occasional basis almost regardless of the axle loadings. Of course ties and surface do not last as long under smaller rail so you will have to repair the track a little more often. This is especially true in curved track.John Bohon