The expansion of rails in hot weather might cause dangerous buckling of the track unless proper maintenance were carried out. Buckling may result from:-

(1) Rail creep, which causes expansion gaps to close up
(2) Seized fishplates, which may prevent the free movement of the rail ends during expansion
(3) Lack of proper ballast or bad sleeper-packing, either of which may allow sleepers to shift out of place

This film shows what precautions must be taken and what maintenance practices must be followed.

16mm & 35mm