Where is the standard rail cant (tilt) of 1 in 20 provided in track construction?

Introduction / Context:
Rails are canted inward at 1 in 20 to align wheel–rail contact near the rail head center, reducing wear and improving stability. Understanding where and how this inclination is implemented is important for design and maintenance.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Cant 1 in 20 is standard for BG flat-bottom rails.
• Cant is achieved by inclined rail seats or fittings, not by tilting the running surface of the rail head itself.

Concept / Approach:

The inclination is built into the support components (chairs, bearing plates, or sleeper seats) so that the rail is installed at the required angle. The rail head remains a manufactured profile; its running surface is not machined to provide cant.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Standard drawings show inclined rail seats; fastening systems (e.g., Pandrol clips with baseplates) preserve the 1 in 20 inclination.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Top of rail head is not where cant is formed; limiting to joints or only very high cants is incorrect; ballast trimming cannot provide precise inclination.

Common Pitfalls:

Assuming the rail profile itself is tilted by milling; overlooking that PSC sleepers often have cast-in inclined seats.

Final Answer:

At the rail seats in bearing plates, chairs, and metal sleepers (not on the rail head itself)