Old track closeups

[jbvb]

Seashore Trolley Museum's Main Line uses a lot of 85 lb. rail because it was a B&M standard and we could often get it free.  Today that's really light, even for light-rail transit.  Modern heavy duty track is almost all welded with rail between 115 lb/yard and 136 lb.  So I'll post pictures of items of potential modeling interest as they catch my eye. Others welcome.



Side view of a sharp angle (maybe #4) bolted frog in (I think) 80 lb.



Same frog disassembled for cleanout and 1 1/8 inch bolts instead of the 7/8" our predecessors used.

The flat bars with punched hooks are called Hook Plates. They're often seen in older turnouts.

[Jerry]

Very interesting James.  Thanks for the pictures and how they work.

Jerry

[Rick]

James, thanks for the pictures.
I've been wondering what kind of track work you've been doing.

[KentuckySouthern]

Old track can be facinating.  Any year markings on them? 

[jbvb]

Old track can be facinating.  Any year markings on them? 

The rails are bent and drilled but otherwise I don't see marks.  The 5 blocks that space the points and wing rails have RACOR cast into them.  Ramapo Foundry was bought by American Brake Shoe in 1922. The closest I can come to a date is they were using the RACOR trade name by 1930 and we installed the frog in the 1980s.  These days RACOR is owned by voestalpine Railway Systems.