Description

Fragment of plate rail found in the vicinity of the Laigh Milton Viaduct during the conservation project undertaken 1995-96. The rail has a bottom flange which is believed to add strength.

This section of rail has the remains of a spike (coloured red in the images) used to secure the ends of adjoining rails. It is considered likely that this fragment was fractured in use and casually disposed of nearby before being replaced.

For description of the railway see Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Civil Engineering, 1998, 126, May, 73-85.

For a general description and images of early cast iron plate railways see https://tringlocalhistory.org.uk/Railway/c03_track.htm.

For an article on the viaduct and its restoration see http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=1243.

For a detailed paper on the viaduct and its restoration see here.

The rail had been lying in wet conditions for c. 150 years and was rusted. The rust has been removed and the rail painted black (a spike attached to the end has been painted red).