Expansion of Rails.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2068, 15 January 1898, Page 2

Expansion of Rails.

Some years ago, before railroad building had reached its present scientific basis, a train on the Chicago, Burlinjp ton and Quincy road, which was running at what was that time a very high rate of ’speed, met with a most unusual accident. It was an intensely hot day in August. .Those who are acquainted with that country are willing to admit that the degree of heat sometimes experienced in that region, is litile short of the boiling pitch. The rails were heated and as the heavy train passed over them they seemed to almost give way under the heavy weight. Suddenly the engineer saw the track ahead of him rise from the road bed, swing out of line, then slowly settle down on the level prairie, in an almost perfect curve. The ties and rails were not disc onnected, but seemed merely to have lifted themselves up to fall in a more comfortable position. The train was stopped and after a thorough examination it was deemed safe, enough for the train to pass over, which it did, moving very slowly and cautiously. Experts visited the place as soon as possible and declared that the incident was. due to the - expansion of the rails. Their end® touched, and their being no room for lengthwise extension they had no choice but to lift themselves and form a curve. It is probable that the jarring of the train assisted in this vibrations possibly starting th» Y sidewise movement.' At all events It was a most peculiar and in?., cident. ~ - ■ ’