Brian Harrap Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 I thought I had got trackwork painting and weathering off to a fine art, but what's all this about? Exeter. Has the Captain been put on fatigues with the whitewash again? I've heard of whitewashing coal but this is something new to me. Brian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin_m Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 I think it is to reduce solar gain and therefore heat expansion in pieces of track where this is a particular problem. It may also be part of an effort to focus maintenance attention on critical assets - I believe a few points have been painted gold in the past for this reason. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stadman Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 I wondered if it was to mark for S&C tamping? Easier to see things in the dark when highlighted with white paint even with machine lights. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex M Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 Edwin M got the nail on the head. You will also see white painted rails on level crossings for much the same reason. There is a pair of switched diamonds at knottingley that are painted white to reduce heat expansion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNERGE Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 I thought painted rails at level crossings was to protect the rails from corrosion? I have installed painted rails in tunnels for same reason. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trog Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 I thought painted rails at level crossings was to protect the rails from corrosion? I have installed painted rails in tunnels for same reason. Painted or more recently Alphatek coated rails through level crossings, and in tunnels to reduce corrosion. White painted switches as this reduces the rail temperature by 3 or 4 degrees C, so delaying the onset of problems caused by the thermal expansion of the rail. See P-Way details prototype gallery for close up photos of Alphatek coated rail. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 Is the white coating for non-stressed S&C only? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trog Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Is the white coating for non-stressed S&C only? No it is probably more common in strengthened layouts, as there are no joints to take up the expansion so the metal moves towards the free end of the switches instead. Also there are not that many unstrengthened layouts left in main lines these days, and it is on main lines where access is difficult and the delays caused by problems are greatest. That dodges like this that stave off potential problems are most worthwhile. The problem is that the movement of the switch tips affects the S&T detection equipment, this is worst on switch diamonds, so they are often the first layout to get a coat of white paint. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Harrap Posted May 8, 2011 Author Share Posted May 8, 2011 Many thanks to all those who have contributed to my understanding of the above, I don't think any of the trackwork on QUAI:87 qualifies for a coat of white so I'll leave it all as it is, Brian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted May 14, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 14, 2011 That dodges like this that stave off potential problems are most worthwhile. Horses mouth confirmation that this is for heat mitigation purposes. It has been described to me as being worth 6 or 7 degrees centigrade in terms of reducing the effect of hot weather. The paint is sprayed on under pressure during a possession. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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