how to cut a railroad rail?

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I need to cut some railroad rails. The rail is standard sized. What would you experienced folks recommend?  Oxy? Plasma? Other method?Doesn't need to be super clean and won't be worked afterwards, just needs to get done as efficiently as possible.The more I think about it maybe a gas powered chop saw would be best.  I need to cut it in-place.Last edited by bikesandcars; 10-15-2013 at 10:28 AM.
Reply:Oxy fuel, with a big tip.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:No. We used gas chop saws at the N&W. Cuts fairly easy.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Originally Posted by BurpeeNo. We used gas chop saws at the N&W. Cuts fairly easy.
Reply:I got my rail road track anvil from the scrap yard they it for me and it looks like they were using oxy/propane.It look less than 10 minutes, I asked them to cut it, then I went and looked around some more and by the time I came back it was cut.A gas saw would be ok if that's all you had and only needed to make one cut.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:I use the band saw with a regular bi-metal blade. Understand the rail I'm cutting is new so it isn't work hardened so your millage may vary.
Reply:Originally Posted by mad welder 4I got my rail road track anvil from the scrap yard they it for me and it looks like they were using oxy/propane.It look less than 10 minutes, I asked them to cut it, then I went and looked around some more and by the time I came back it was cut.A gas saw would be ok if that's all you had and only needed to make one cut.
Reply:Ok, I'll just post how NOT to cut one. For amusement only. Yes, I really tried this. Go ahead, laugh.  AC 225 maxed, MG 600 rod, and attempt to burn thru it with the stinger in one hand, air nozzle in the other. "Improvised CAC". Make a puddle, blast with air, repeat. Carefully observe the 2 minute duty cycle. After several repetitions it was barely nicked. Hauled it to town, local outfit quickly and easily burned thru it with an OA torch.Hobbyist - At what point is a "hobby" out-of-control?
Reply:In days of old, when men were bold...they'd score the perimeter of  rail with a chisel, and then snap  to length.I tried it, but never could hit Union Pacific quality. Although the method did seem workable.So yeah, I vote for either oxy-fuel or "proper" chop saw.EDIT - I just reread the original post. Rail to be cut in-place. That settles it - oxy-fuel.At least wait 'till the Midnight Special gets through. Last edited by denrep; 10-15-2013 at 02:11 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermike10 minutes! What did he use, a hacksaw!
Reply:Not to get too off topic but how well will a miller 625 plasma do against rail road track?I have only cut up to 7/8'' steel with mine and it did ok and I was not using a gouge tip.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:Thats on topic I thinkDont worry, Im not taking rail from a service line, it is on private propertySent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk now Free
Reply:I scrapped alot of rail with oxy propane and a bulldog tip, takes about 30 seconds a cut.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingI scrapped alot of rail with oxy propane and a bulldog tip, takes about 30 seconds a cut.
Reply:If you have a piece of equipment on site, you can snap the rail also. An excavator can just put a track on the rail and just pick it up with the bucket till it snaps right at the track. Other equipment such as a backhoe or skip can break it too, but no accuracy and may end up with a lot of bent pieces.Be careful however you do it.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermike10 minutes! What did he use, a hacksaw!
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1I bet it was a port a band. Then some buddy plugged it in for him .
Reply:I use my victor oxy/propane Journeyman torch.  I forget the size of the tip off hand, as I'm not sitting in front of my torch, but I know the biggest tip I have is rated for 8" thick steel.  Cutting the rail was easy if I cut the track "sideways" so as to have the thinnest side being cut with the torch.  Cuts it clean like butter. I know this video below is done on a machine with oxy/propane, but a hand held torch cuts just the same. Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcI use my victor oxy/propane Journeyman torch.  I forget the size of the tip off hand, as I'm not sitting in front of my torch, but I know the biggest tip I have is rated for 8" thick steel.  Cutting the rail was easy if I cut the track "sideways" so as to have the thinnest side being cut with the torch.  Cuts it clean like butter. I know this video below is done on a machine with oxy/propane, but a hand held torch cuts just the same.
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepAt least wait 'till the Midnight Special gets through.
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepIn days of old, when men were bold...they'd score the perimeter of  rail with a chisel, and then snap  to length.I tried it, but never could hit Union Pacific quality. Although the method did seem workable.So yeah, I vote for either oxy-fuel or "proper" chop saw.EDIT - I just reread the original post. Rail to be cut in-place. That settles it - oxy-fuel.
Reply:Originally Posted by FORTEALLOYOk, I'll just post how NOT to cut one. For amusement only. Yes, I really tried this. Go ahead, laugh.  AC 225 maxed, MG 600 rod, and attempt to burn thru it with the stinger in one hand, air nozzle in the other. "Improvised CAC". Make a puddle, blast with air, repeat. Carefully observe the 2 minute duty cycle. After several repetitions it was barely nicked. Hauled it to town, local outfit quickly and easily burned thru it with an OA torch.
Reply:Originally Posted by norite...The reason you don't see this done today is you need cast iron rails to make it work, can't be done with steel rails afaik...
Reply:The original rails were cast iron as Bessemer had not invented the blast furnace yet. The iron rails were very dangerous as they would split with a top rail sticking up to impale the next car that came along. All cast rails have been gone a long time now I would think.
Reply:Thanks! Originally Posted by mwshawThe original rails were cast iron as Bessemer had not invented the blast furnace yet. The iron rails were very dangerous as they would split with a top rail sticking up to impale the next car that came along. All cast rails have been gone a long time now I would think.Originally Posted by mwshawThe original rails were cast iron as Bessemer had not invented the blast furnace yet. The iron rails were very dangerous as they would split with a top rail sticking up to impale the next car that came along. All cast rails have been gone a long time now I would think.
Reply:Really old rail was cast iron, then they went with rolled wrought iron, then steel.  Do an image search of "fishbelly rail", it's interesting.  Originally cast iron, there was some made in longer sections that was wrought. Steel became competitive after the introduction of the Bessemer process and then open hearth furnaces."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:And then ole Andy Carnegie captured the market with his claim of his 'homogeneous rail' being better than his competitors offerings.
Reply:Originally Posted by middleofnowhereIv'e never heard of "cast" rails, they are all made of steel from what I understand pretty much since rail travel was invented.  Steel rails snap quite readily imo.