Since the issue seems to be focused around block 255 you should generate a world using Minecraft Server with Forge 10.13.4.1614. Remove the xaero's Minimap, Dynamic Lights, and Optifine before launching the server.
Enter the world with the client, go to NEI, then generate a list of blocks. Look at the .csv in a text editor and search for 255. Note the block assigned to that ID.
If it is some weird block at some point you will crash the server as you wander around. This has taken as long as 10-15 minutes for me. Also, if you can find some place in the various biomes which use block 255, you will see one messed up world.
If you delete the world, rename various mod files so they are in a different order (i.e., make Railcraft load first), you will see block 255 is some other value but the issue still remains.