TM 5-628/AFR 91-44
joints. Surface bent rail is not a critical defect and
cannot be corrected without replacing the rail.
(2) Appearance in track. A downward
bending of the rail head near the rail ends giving the
appearance of low joints. When track with surface
bent rail is surfaced (raised and tamped), the rail
ends soon return to a lower elevation. In the more
serious cases the vertical curve in the rail head is
still visible after surfacing.
x. Surface damage.
(1) Description. Any damage to the surfaces
of the rail, both the running surface and the external
surfaces, caused by deep engine burns (running
surface) or by striking the rail. Surface damage is
not normally a critical defect but may lead to detail
fractures or engine burn fractures.
(2) Appearance in track. Deep engine
burns, dents, nicks, cuts, or other abnormalities on
the surface of the rail.
y. Torch cut rail.
(1) Description. Any rail that is cut or
otherwise modified (including bolt holes) using an
acetylene torch or other open flame.
(2) Appearance in track. Irregular or rough
rail ends and/or bolt holes (fig B-22).
v. Split web.
(1) Description. A progressive fracture
through the web in a longitudinal or transverse
direction, or both.
(2) Appearance in track. Horizontal and/or
vertical bleeding cracks in the web (fig B-21).
z. Transverse defects. (Compound fissure,
transverse fissure, and detail fracture)
(1) Description. Any progressive fracture
occurring in the rail head having a transverse sepa-
ration, however slight. The exact type of transverse
defect cannot be determined until after the rail is
broken for examination.
(2) Appearance in track. Not visible until
the defect reaches an outer surface. A transverse
defect may be recognized by one or more of the
following characteristics:
(a) A hairline crack on the side of the
head at right angles to the running surface, at the
fillet under the head, and occasionally on the
running surface.
(c) A hairline crack at the gage corner
w. Surface bent rail.
of the rail head. On turned rail, this condition may
(1) Description. The permanent downward
occur at the field corner. Numerous small gage
bending of the rail ends due to long-term passage
cracks or head checks are often present but should
of traffic over track with loose or poorly supported
not cause suspicion unless a single crack extends
B-9
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