Patent ID: 8561916

Claim:
A movable rail bridge joint arrangement comprising: a. a stationary portion having: a) a first gage side guard plate having a first gage side guard plate interior surface, b) a first field side guard plate having a first field side guard plate interior surface, said first gage side guard plate and first field side guard plate defining a rail channel; and c) a first rail portion disposed in said rail channel and comprising a single machined billet having a gage side and a field side, a lead end, a terminal end, a tread-bearing surface and a lower portion, said lower portion extending substantially the entire distance between said gage side guard plate interior surface and said field side guard plate interior surface, and said first rail portion comprising a flangeway machined alongside said tread-bearing surface; said terminal end of said first rail portion disposed between said first gage side guard plate and said first field side guard plate; b. a movable portion having: a) a second gage side guard plate having a second gage side guard plate interior surface, b) a second field side guard plate having a second field side guard plate interior surface, said second gage side guard plate and second field side guard plate defining a rail channel; and c) a second rail portion disposed in said rail channel and comprising a single machined billet having a gage side and a field side, a lead end, a terminal end, a tread-bearing surface and a lower portion, said lower portion extending substantially the entire distance between said gage side guard plate interior surface and said field side guard plate interior surface, and said second rail portion comprising a flangeway machined alongside said tread-bearing surface; said second guard plate interior surface and said second field plate interior surface defining a space and wherein terminal end of said second rail portion extends outside said space; and wherein said movable portion is adapted to be moved between (1) a raised position and (2) a lowered position adjacent said stationary rail portion, such that said respective tread-bearing surfaces of said first and second portions are in substantial alignment.