bullhead rail

English

A cross-section of flat-bottomed and bullhead rail

Noun

bullhead rail (plural bullhead rails)

1. (rail transport) A rail, most commonly used in the United Kingdom, with a head and foot nearly equal in cross-section, that is supported in cast iron chairs and secured by wedges or keys.
   • 1979 August, Michael Harris, “A line for all reasons: the North Yorkshire Moors Railway”, in Railway World, page 412:

     With secondhand bullhead rail almost unobtainable, the NYMR has been forced to go for new flat-bottom rail and orders are being placed; 58 fb rails are already en route to the railway.

   • 2020 November 18, Howard Johnston, “Regional News: Eastern: Esk Valley”, in RAIL, page 26:

     Network Rail has donated two miles of replaced bullhead rail from the Middlesbrough-Whitby line to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for reuse or onward sale.

   • 2023 December 27, Ben Jones, “Inside Sellafield... by rail”, in RAIL, number 999, page 23:

     "When we upgraded the track, we couldn't use flat bottom rail, as some of the curves are too tight, so we are one of the few places still using bullhead rail.

Further reading

• rail profile on Wikipedia.Wikipedia