He is correct, in stating the joints he notices in the welded rail. The practice of cutting off the bolt holes, from rail butts, then electrically welding them together, while compressing the joints together, is how welded rail got it's name, and it's start. Ribbon rail, is not the same as welded rail, although the ribbons are welded, when being installed. There is a slight difference, in the composition of the metal in a welded joint, done with an added filler, such as a Cad-Weld. The joint WILL wear slightly differently, although the statement about the roadbed "remembering" where the joints were, is absolutely true. You would have to scarify the roadbed, and reballast each spot, where a joint occured, in order to get the roadbed to "forget" there was a joint there before. All rail started out, in ribbons, and was cut to length, with the butts of jointed rail being heat treated, to make them stronger, in the area of the joint. This area is usually removed, before butt welding the sticks, into ribbons of welded rail. Regards