What are the typical placement specifications for check rails or guard rails?
Wheel flanges on IR are typically about 28mm thick (new). The distance between the inner faces of wheels is typically 1600mm (BG). Check rails used to prevent wheels from climbing the rails at sharp curves are kept at a distance of about 44mm-48mm from the outer rail, allowing about 4mm tolerance for wear on the check rails. Check rails at level crossings (intended to keep a gap in place for the wheels to pass through where the tracks cross the road surface) are typically placed to provide a gap of 51mm-57mm. This allows sufficient lateral movement or play for the wheels, but is small enough not to trap the feet of cattle or cause other problems for the road traffic. Guard rails on bridges are usually placed to provide a gap of 250mm from the running rails.
