Railroad tie cover

Abstract

A railroad tie cover of a substantially rectangular configuration composed of an elastomer material with or without an optional pad is provided for increasing the resiliency of rail fastening track systems in railroad track beds with and without ballast to prolong the service life of timber and concrete railroad ties. The railroad tie cover has a center and two side portions which utilize a plurality of grooves that are designed to prolong the operational life of wooden and concrete ties by increasing the resiliency of the rail fastening system and in the case of the wooden timber ties prolong the life of the tie by channeling and transporting water and moisture away from the railroad timber tie. The number, depth and disposition of the grooves with or without the pad in the alternative embodiment fosters the circulation of air around the timber tie during the loading and unloading of the track as occurs during train passage. The railroad tie cover is designed to be manufactured and shipped in a flat configuration which is installed as a three dimensional cover at the work site. The rail tie cover can be cut and trimmed at the work site to accommodate varying lengths of wooden rail ties as may be required for special track work.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.