Tilting of Rails

Tilting of Rails

Rails are tilted inward at an angle of 1 in 20 to reduce wear and tear on the rails as well as on the tread of the wheels. As the pressure of the wheel acts near the inner edge of the rail, there is heavy wear and tear of the rail. Lateral bending stresses are also created due to eccentric loading of rails. Uneven loading on the sleepers is also likely to cause them damage. To reduce wear and tear as well as lateral stresses, rails are titled at a slope of 1 in 20, which is also the slope of the wheel cone. The rail is tilted by 'adzing' the wooden sleeper or by providing canted bearing plates.