Flat Footed Rail

Flat Footed Rail

Flat footed rails, also known as Vignoles rails, are rail sections with a flat base. They were invented by Charles Vignoles in 1836 and are designed to be directly fixed onto sleepers using fastenings.

To prevent the rail foot from sinking into wooden sleepers under heavy loads, steel bearing plates are installed between the rail and the sleeper. These rails are widely used in modern railway systems.

Merits

• High strength and stiffness
• No chairs required for installation
• Requires fewer fastenings
• Lower maintenance cost

Demerits

• Fastenings may loosen over time
• Difficult to remove during track renewal
• Points and crossings are harder to manufacture