NR4 Stepped Side Wear Gauge

The Abtus ABT4590 NR4 Stepped Side Wear Gauge measures side wear on plain rail and rails with a full head section. Built to the Network Rail 2004 (NR4) design, it can measure all current rail sections and older sections back to and including 85lb RBS Bull Head.

The set is made up of a stainless steel profile gauge and a stepped wedge. The profile gauge combines cut-outs for 'as new' railhead widths of both 70mm and 72mm in a single profile. The cut-out with two holes in the jaw is for 72mm railheads, and the plain cut-out is for 70mm railheads. The gauge is designed mainly for 1:20 tapered head rails, but can also be used on railheads with parallel sides.

To take a reading, the gauge is placed across the railhead and the stepped wedge is slid into the slot in the centre of the jaws. The last step that fits gives the reading, which converts to lateral head loss. The gauge is designed to accurately measure up to 9mm of lateral head loss.

Each profile gauge and stepped wedge is calibrated as a matched set against new rail during manufacture. The set comes in a weatherproof wallet with an engineer's notebook and full instructions.