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Common iron kept in the open gets rusted and becomes weak within a few months, but a train track remains as strong as before even after facing sun, rain and cold for years. Railway tracks are also made of iron, yet why the effect of rust on them is minimal, this is the most interesting thing.
1. Rail is not ordinary iron. Railway tracks are made of carbon steel or high carbon manganese steel, which is many times stronger and rust resistant than common iron. The structure of this metal protects it from bad weather.
2. Trains running continuously on the track eliminate light rust. The wheels of the train continuously create friction on the track. Due to this, the initial rust formed on the surface automatically peels off. This is the reason why the tracks keep shining.
3. There is special coating and heat treatment on the tracks. While making railway tracks, special heat treatment and hard surface finishing is done on them. This creates natural protection against rust and moisture.
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4. Uniform thickness and mass of the track reduces the rate of corrosion. The cross-section of the tracks is thick, due to which rust cannot reach inside quickly. The speed of spread of rust slows down considerably in thick metal.
5. Rain and moisture do not get stuck at the bottom. The tracks are laid at such a height where water does not accumulate. The ballast and sloping design wicks away moisture, ensuring long-term water resistance.
6. Railways conducts continuous inspection and maintenance. The track is inspected, grinded and repaired from time to time. Minor rust is removed during the process, preventing further damage.
7. Chemical based anti rust lubricant is applied on the track. In many sensitive areas, a special type of anti-rust compound is applied on the track. This reduces the contact of moisture and oxygen with the metal.
8. The surface becomes stronger due to constant load and heat. Trains weighing lakhs of kilos put pressure on the track. This pressure and heat make the surface of the steel more dense, which reduces the area for rust to form.
9. Light rust is permitted on track side sections. In railway engineering, light surface rust on the side parts of the tracks is not considered harmful. This does not affect the age of the track.
