Historical information

Light Rail Bender

Most rails are produced straight. While they to easily bend and appear flexible, they are required to bend for some curves, at rail joins on curves and at point (turn-out) junctions.

For a safe transition around curves and in the finer areas of the point, this use to be done with a manual rail bender.

Sometimes referred to as a Buddah, the rail bender attaches its two claws to the rail. In the middle of the two claws is a screw that is slowly tightened using a crow-bar to bend the rail.

Tightening the screw too fast or too tightly may not give the structure of the rail time to redistribute and the rail may break if not done properly.

Significance

Historic - Railways Permanent Way and Works - track equipment - Light Rail Bender

Physical description

Light Rail Bender made out of cast wrought iron