For Mike: THE CRACK!
...only provisionally tacked, not repaired. To me it looks like an impact damage, not fatigue. Since there is no other deformation on the rail, I think the steel structure (snow plough?) hit soemthing and lifted it up and it snapped. You will also notice the snapped and deformed slat grill. Although it is in the area of the shock absorber, I believe it can be safely repaired once cleaned as it is in the way of the tubular x-member. What do you think?
__________________
Lars

C.D.LV 119965 / Motor 121093 / 2-16-42
C.D.LV 120292 / Motor 121840 / 2-20-42
C.D.LV 170355 / Motor 177024 / 8-28-42