Where is the wear of a rail typically maximum?

The wear of a rail is typically maximum on sharp curves due to the increased lateral forces exerted on the rails as trains navigate these curves. When a train goes around a sharp curve, the wheels exert a continuous lateral load that leads to higher friction between the wheels and the rail. This dynamic interaction causes more wear and tear on the rail, especially on the outside rail of the curve, where the forces are greatest.

Additionally, the angle at which the wheels contact the rail on a curve is different than on straight track. The wear on the rail tends to be exacerbated because of the shifting weight and forced alignment of the train's wheels in relation to the alignment of the track. In contrast, on tangent track, the forces are more evenly distributed along the rail length, resulting in less concentrated wear.

Station platforms and tunnels typically do not induce the same severity of wear as sharp curves because they do not involve the same lateral forces that arise from curved alignments. Therefore, the conditions present on sharp curves make them the locations where rail wear is most pronounced.