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.

Further reading

• rail profile on Wikipedia.Wikipedia