TTCI SEARCHING FOR IMPROVED IN-TRADE WELDING METHODS

Joining rails in track through welding is a job that the North American freight railroads perform several hundred thousand times a year, at a cost of several hundred million dollars a year. As rail quality and service life improve, determining better in track welding procedures and protocols becomes more critical. Consequently, the Transportation Technology Center, Inc.(TTCI), is doing research and development to improve in track rail welding. In May 2000, TTCI hosted a workshop on in track welding to examine relevant issues with technologists and railroad customers. This article reviews the subjects discussed.