long standing query
 

Can anyone out there help me with a query about flat crossings (eg Newark)? I know that with standard points there is always part of the rail supporting the wheel, but this cannot be the case with flat crossings, and the wheel must momentarily fall into the gap and cause considerable stress on both the wheel and the rail. On the Newark crossing ECML trains pass over at 100mph. Is this sufficient to increase the horizontal forces to keep the dip in the wheel to an absolute minumum? Any information about these matters would be very welcome.

Its not the fast traffic that would cause the damage but the slower moving traffic that will have more time for the wheelset to drop.

Isnt the problem with crossings the reason why ladder junctions are preferred?

What's a ladder junction?

Trains move between lines by a series of switches so crossings dont have to be used.

Here is an example at Milford Junction :

http://e-group.uk.net/gallery/data/5...n_8031430-.jpg

A good question, that gets you thinking.
Just taking some random figures, if a wheel of say 1m dia goes over a track gap of 50mm the drop will only be 0.6mm. The effect of the gap will be also lessened by the rail edge deformation.