White-painted Rails

[Coventrian]

When travelling to Buxton earlier this month I noticed that the sides of the rails on the section of track between about Woodsmoor and Hazel Grove were painted white. Only this section seemed to be painted and I have never seen this anywhere else on my travels. Does anyone know the reason for this?

 

[Bald Rick]

When travelling to Buxton earlier this month I noticed that the sides of the rails on the section of track between about Woodsmoor and Hazel Grove were painted white. Only this section seemed to be painted and I have never seen this anywhere else on my travels. Does anyone know the reason for this?

Reflects the sun, and reduces the chances of track buckling. It’s only done in very specific locations on certain types of track.

 

[Coventrian]

Thanks, Bald Rick.

 

[Jeong-Sub]

Is it some kind of special paint?

 

[Surreytraveller]

Is it some kind of special paint?

Yes. White paint.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

Choolux?

 

[mallard]

It seems to be very common in warmer countries (it seems to be standard on all tracks in Italy, for example), but I'm surprised it's really necessary in the UK. Presumably the places it's been applied have a history of problems in warm weather.

 

[furnessvale]

It seems to be very common in warmer countries (it seems to be standard on all tracks in Italy, for example), but I'm surprised it's really necessary in the UK. Presumably the places it's been applied have a history of problems in warm weather.

Rail temperature is not the same as air temperature. I have seen a rail temperature of 127f on a sunny day north of Preston.

 

[Welshman]

Choolux?

And, going for the cheapest price, they always buy it online.

 

[Ken H]

There is a bit by Kemble station been painted white

 

[DarloRich]

The OP cant get out and about much if he has never seen white painted rails before. They are all over the place!

There is a bit by Kemble station been painted white

we don't need a list of every white painted location! It will run to thousands of locations and deliver no benefit.

 

[Ash Bridge]

The OP cant get out and about much if he has never seen white painted rails before. They are all over the place!



we don't need a list of every white painted location! It will run to thousands of locations and deliver no benefit.

By just saying that do you not realise what you may have started?

(Actually I think you probably did)

 

[Ploughman]

And then not all are White, some are Cream.

 

[Bennski]

They painted the rails outside Glasgow Central when we had the heat wave earlier in the year too...

 

[swt_passenger]

And then not all are White, some are Cream.

I think there might have been a magnolia phase... Very seventies!

(Or maybe it’s just rusty white.)

 

[Ken H]

I think there might have been a magnolia phase... very seventies!

Are the ones in Cheltenham Farrow and Ball paint?

 

[Cowley]

Are the ones in Cheltenham Farrow and Ball paint?

It costs £80 for five litres.
Probably best to buy some woodchip and just wallpaper them.

 

[duffield]

As per above, these are very common, but what I would be interested to know is how much difference it makes, e.g. suppose you have a particular location where the rails get to 50C without the paint, what temperature would they get to with the paint, assuming equal air temperature and sun intensity etc. in each case?

 

[swt_passenger]

As per above, these are very common, but what I would be interested to know is how much difference it makes, e.g. suppose you have a particular location where the rails get to 50C without the paint, what temperature would they get to with the paint, assuming equal air temperature and sun intensity etc. in each case?

In a previous thread, a link to something published by NR reckoned the reduction as 5-10 degrees C.

 

[delt1c]

As per above, these are very common, but what I would be interested to know is how much difference it makes, e.g. suppose you have a particular location where the rails get to 50C without the paint, what temperature would they get to with the paint, assuming equal air temperature and sun intensity etc. in each case?

Trying checking the difference in tempreture between a black car and white car on a hot summerday , thgen you will realise the difference. That is why Londons buses got white roofs many years ago

 

[Ploughman]

Painted rails are also used in areas of high corrosion risk, such as through level crossings.

 

[superkev]

I always thought it was to help drivers to steer.

 

[Boodiggy]

Painted rails are also used in areas of high corrosion risk, such as through level crossings.

Those rails are coated and are different to painted rails.

 

[Ploughman]

Paint is a coating isn't it?
Just a different sort of coating and unless you are actually right up to it, could you tell the difference?.

 

[alxndr]

Paint is a coating isn't it?
Just a different sort of coating and unless you are actually right up to it, could you tell the difference?.

Coating helps to prevent rust and corrosion. This is a particular issue around crossings if they're gritted. Wet areas and tunnels might also get coated rails.

 

[edwin_m]

By just saying that do you not realise what you may have started?

(Actually I think you probably did)

Special mention for anyone posting a photo of a white painted rail next to a datum plate.

 

[furnessvale]

Special mention for anyone posting a photo of a white painted rail next to a datum plate.

What's one of them?..............only joking!!!!

 

[randyrippley]

so does the paint affect track circuits?

 

[alxndr]

so does the paint affect track circuits?

No, the paint is on the web of the rail, not the top of the head (where it wouldn't last very long at all anyway!) so there's nothing stopping a short circuit being made between the rails via the wheels and axle of the train.

 

[Jeong-Sub]

You mean just normal white paint ?
Isn't it supposed to have special function for reducing temperature ?