Questions about Merrick station

[Joel Up Front 792]

Why do the tracks at Merrick use bi-block ties? And what are those warped looking inner rails beyond the station?

[Amtrak7 427]

Why do the tracks at Merrick use bi-block ties? And what are those warped looking inner rails beyond the station?

 

Bi-block ties (half ties) usually mean direct fixation. Why they're at Merrick I don't know, I know they're used Amityville-Babylon and in the Atlantic Av Tunnel.

 

Rails inside the gauge are usually leftover from trackwork that was never removed. If they're straight, they're guardrails, but you said they're warped.

[Rutgers Tube 0]

Ballastless track systems make use of bi-block ties.

 

The LIRR has ballastless track on the Babylon Branch.