Abstract
The objective of this study is to develop a methodology for controlling the technological process of rail joint welding at rail welding facilities, ensuring the reliability of welded joints. Based on the data obtained from rail welding enterprises, an improved methodology was developed for assessing the stability of the technological process used in the production of welded rail joints, as well as the overall quality level of welding operations at rail welding facilities (RWFs). It has been established that the continuous increase in train weight and speed imposes strict requirements on the quality of rails in operation. The developed methodology makes it possible to identify a key cause of premature rail failure - manufacturing defects, particularly welding defects arising during the production of long welded rails, as well as during the repair and welding of used rails