Reviving this old thread about parallel versus staggered rail joints. I happened upon a November 19th
isengard.co.uk photo showing track relaying at the Stwlan Dam Road level crossing renewal in Tan-y-Grisiau on the Ffestiniog. The photo shows parallel joints along a curve.
I'm guessing this has been and is the common practice in Wales. I hope John Dobson and our other U.K. friends will weigh in.
I also understand Wales doesn't experience the deep ground freeze/thaw cycles that Maine does, and very likely has better soil conditions, particularly than mid-coast Maine, both of which would affect track alignment over time.
I know early on as the WW&F has been restored staggered joints were viewed as a concern for swaying cars at speed, but after many years of experience we've adopted staggered joints, particularly for curves, to avoid track kinks.
This post doesn't offer an answer for the practice historic Maine two-footers followed for track maintenance, but I think the comparison with Wales standards is interesting to learn.