Are you aware of any special requirements to perform welder qualifications for those performing flash butt-welds or field thermite welding of light and freight rail lines?  Which code book endorsement is required to assess and certify if welders are performing in accordance with AREMA/FRA requirements?



All rail joints, including compromise joints shall be welded wherever possible. All welding of new and used stick rail shall be performed by the electric flash or thermite methods in accordance with AREMA requirements by a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) certified welder for that class of track (freight) or one class above (LRT). All shop-made flash butt welds shall be tested by magnetic particle inspection; all field-made thermite (or mobile flash butt) welds shall be ultrasonically tested. All special trackwork shall be bolted and bonded. The existing 115 RE CWR on the freight