The Rail defects Handbook of the ASA

An interesting publication of the Asset Standards Authority (ASA), an independent unit established within Transport for NSW of Australia.

The occurrence of rail defects has generally increased because of the much longer rail lives obtained through various improvements, which have reduced the rail wear and hence have allowed the defects to develop. The main purpose of this Handbook is to describe some of the more common rail defects, their causes, and the possible ways of controlling their development.