Posts: 21
Threads: 5
Joined: Mar 2010
In the UK they have started to paint some sensitive areas of rail white. They tell us that it reduces the rail temperature by 10C in high ambient air temperatures.
Does anyone know of any work being done similarly in the 'States where Summer temperatures tend to be higher than the UK??? Are there other solutions to this "problem" over here???
Appreciate any comments (I've already done the jokes about the British weather).........
Cheers, Pete.
Posts: 335
Threads: 27
Joined: Dec 2008
Trisonic,
I have not heard of that being done in the states - and there are some areas that routinely have very high temperatures and direct sunlight for months at a time. Google Sun Kinks images - there are some impressive ones.
I found this article about rail stability during changing temperatures. Interesting.
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Matt Goodman
Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 21
Threads: 5
Joined: Mar 2010
Matt, Many thanks for your reply and the very interesting link you provided!
I'll be posting on RMWeb (many members of here are members there and it has a large following of US Prototype and Models from across the pond in the UK.
Cheers, Pete.
Posts: 1,897
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I'm not sure, but I don't think white paint wold make an appreciable difference in the Mojave Desert. Temps are frequently above 130 degrees f, and as the sun bakes the rails, they will actually pick up solar gain. On a 100 degree day it is not uncommon for temps of objects sitting in the sun to reach temps above 140 degrees. That is why all temperatures are recorded as "in the shade." Items sitting in the shade will show an accurate temp, but items sitting in the sun will always show some sort of solar gain depending on how high the temp and how long they have been in the sun.
