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Paul Corfield · September 16th 06, 09:24 PM posted to uk.transport.london

On 16 Sep 2006 13:29:04 -0700, wrote:

Neil Williams wrote:
wrote:
I have noticed on sections of the Docklands track part of it moves away
at an angle and is cut off but another section continues it. Is there
any reason why the track is not continious ?

If you mean what I think you do, it's a gap for the track to expand and
contract as it heats and cools.

Neil

Thanks for the reply. I have not noticed this on Underground or
mainline tracks - so is there a reason this apply to Docklands only ?

I'm not a track expert but a fair chunk of DLR is on metal viaduct so
you have to have these sorts of measures or else the track base moves
and the track doesn't with interesting results. Such expansion joints
will exist on LU and NR but they are much harder to spot as you can't
get a front seat ride and the stations are not so close to big bits of
infrastructure. Exactly the same applies to big road bridges which move
in the heat.

There may also be something to do with the type of track installation as
well - ballasted vs concrete track bed - but that's getting beyond my
limited knowledge.
--
Paul C

Admits to working for London Underground!