... are probably more likely. Usually these are in lighter rail section which is easier to bend. This picture from Mick Nicholson of Brayton Junction, showing bent flares: 1571_031811_110000000.jpg shows I believe an earlier LNER FB design (Mick?). The big four companies were conducting many experiments with FB track before nationalisation, and there were several designs. The FB-109 design was standardised by BR in the early 1950s, using machined check rail flares. Other companies had different ideas, this is CIE practice at Dundalk in 1986: 2_170837_040000000.png regards, Martin. posted: 17 Jan 2011 14:05 from: BeamEnds Hi Martin, thanks for that- plained it is then! And the date explains the weird dummy in the photo! Cheers Richard posted: 17 Jan 2011 15:07 from: Martin Wynne p.s. Richard, Michael Davies posted a fine collection of 120 detail pictures of FB track in a yard: http://85a.co.uk/forum/gallery_view.php?user=1679#gallery_top As far as I can see they are all machined flares ...