810641 Welded rail for both new track installations and for replacement of worn existing rail is transported by train in quarter-mile long sections which are then field welded into longer segments on installation.

The steel rail is flexible enough both for installation on curves and to bend around curves while being transported as is shown here. Intermediate cars are equipped with rollers to facilitate the loading and unloading of the rail and to allow the rail to flex during transport. The rails are clamped in place on one car to prevent them from accidentally unloading. An end car is equipped with motorized equipment that can pull rails off the train or push them onto the train when worn rail is being picked up.

Though this is an older photo, this method of transporting welded rail has not changed since that time.

The location where this photo was made in western North Carolina has, however, become much more overgrown, to the point that this viewpoint is currently not possible.

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