ED ROGERS wrote:

Thanks gentlemen for your replies.I didn't know the power source for the
rolling mill and how it was capable, with the technology of the day,in
exerting the high pressures to form the rail.Did they use hydraulics to
get the pressure applied?


Rolling mills produce product by rolling it through
progressively reduced grooves in opposing rolls at fixed
centres. After each pass the material is shifted to the next reduction groove.
As the rolls are reversible there is minimal lost time.
The reduction steps are biggest at the beginning due to
the heat of the material, reducing towards the finishing
stages.

Tom

Tom