Question

Wear of rails may be reduced by
1. Increasing the number of rail joints
2. Decreasing the number of rail joints
3. Using high carbon steel rail
4. Increasing the spacing of sleepers

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Decreasing the number of rail joints

Explanation

The followings are some methods for reducing the wear of rails:

1. Use of special alloy steel.
2. Good maintenance of the track.
3. Reduction of expansion gap:  It is done by packing the sleepers at the joints and tightening fish bolts. This will result in the reduction of wear at the end of the rails.
4. Reduction of the number of joints.
5. Exchange of inner and outer rail on a curve: It is done on curves, where there is heavy wear at the top of the head of the inner rail and heavy wear of the side of the head of the outer rail then the top wear rail is exchanged with the side wear rail and thereby the life of rail is increased.
6. Use of lubricating oil on the side of the head of rails (gauge face).
7. By coning of the wheel.
8. Tilting of rails.