(...) No... (...) The old "blue" rail parts and the non-slotted "gray" parts are very different: Both ends of old "blue" track flange is tapered over a length simmilar to that of a 1 stud brick. This tapering (in a vertical direction) is normal (...) (24 years ago, 3-Jan-01, to lugnet.trains)
(...) allow hill crests - when attached to the 2x8 plate (sleeper) it allowed them to tilt downwards without reducing greatly the "tightness" of the joint. Dunno if this is actually the reason for it or not... Regards, ROSCO (24 years ago, 3-Jan-01, to lugnet.trains)