A flange basically is an outer or inner rib, or rim, for strength, as an extension of an iron beam or I-beam, or for guidance purpose.
Therefore a flanged rail basically is a rail which is a flange towards one section to keep wheels, etc from running off. The expression, "flange" is also applied for a particular type of tool used to create flanges. A flange could also be a plate or a ring to create a rim towards the end of a pipe when fixed firmly to the pipe. A flange joint is a bond of pipes, where the linking sections have flanges through which the sections are attached together.
Common flanges normally applied in plumbing are the Surrey flange or Danzey flange, York flange and Essex flange.
Therefore a flanged rail basically is a rail which is a flange towards one section to keep wheels, etc from running off. The expression, "flange" is also applied for a particular type of tool used to create flanges. A flange could also be a plate or a ring to create a rim towards the end of a pipe when fixed firmly to the pipe. A flange joint is a bond of pipes, where the linking sections have flanges through which the sections are attached together.
Common flanges normally applied in plumbing are the Surrey flange or Danzey flange, York flange and Essex flange.