The use of rail sections with mitered joints as a substitute for continuous rail has not been as successful as anticipated. Unfortunately, though jolting is reduced it is not completely eliminated. Worse, the rail points are subject to high stresses that can result in rail flaking or cracking as the wheel passes from one section to he next. In response a semi-continuous rail-laying technique is described which retains the use of mitered joints but joints which are modified in the manner described.
Modified miter joints would eliminate the effect of thermal stresses on the track stability of continuous welded rail and thereby eliminates the need to specify a neutral rail temperature, an ambiguous concept difficult to maintain in practice and frequently a specific factor contributing to derailments.
Not only is the semi-continuous rail system compatible with continuous welded rail but the same equipment and techniques are used in track fabrication and track laying.
