Geometric Test cars and trains in Tales of the Jointed Track

I was sent a link, by a reader, who asked me to comment. I will try to do my best to make this understandable and keep it simple.

These trains are utilized by most if not all Class-1 railroads. The Maintenance of Way or “Track Engineering” department will operate these to test and maintain the integrity of the main lines. The heavy routes are gone over at least every three months. The two car Geometric Test cars the former Santa Fe used now BNSF have testing equipment and computers. One is a self contained power car and the inspection car itself. The Inspection car houses the computers screens and graph readouts. The Division trainmaster and / or a Road Foreman may ride along the territory. The Division Superintendent will ride as necessary. The Track department will have their “Officers” riding their territory. The General track Superintendent will be along, with the Track Supervisor and Section Foreman.

The car will send a signal through the rails itself. There is a roller set up that rides on top of the track just ahead of the rear truck. It is hydraulically raised and lowered. The car also looks at the general track structure. Is there severe wearing of the roadbed and ties due to pounding of heavy tonnage? Is the gauge proper? The ultra sounding through the rails will detect stress fracturing, and internal cracking, before it actually breaks. There is a Hy-Rail section truck that will follow and make repairs as needed. If it can’t be repaired a “slow order” will be placed on the track effected, and repairs will be made by a big section gang the next day, or if really bad, the will start on the track and another crew will be sent to the area as well.

A BNSF two car Geo test cars train.. I believe BNSF has 3 or 4 of these that roam the system.

A former BN Geometric test car

This is a newer BNSF Geometric Test train. The rear car is a former BN commuter car. It was rebuilt to house the needed equipment

The inside of a geo test car. Railroad unknown. The train crew or part of the section I don’t know

This is an ultra sonic Hy-rail truck. It will follow the track supervisor on a BOX 4 Work between on TWC Territory. or a Track and Time on CTC. This is a mobile detector that test rails only via ultra sound. The BNSF and the UP use these as well

This is a BNSF Geo test car. The extra power is probably a Repo move (Reposition of locomotives) to another terminal

Hope this explains this a little.
* BNSF Geo test Car Roster:
BNSF #80 BN B9 1920 Pullman Track Geometry Car No. 80 -
BNSF #81 ATSF #63 1950 ACF Geometry / Support Car No. 81 ATSF
BNSF #82 BNA #7 1912 ACF Mechanical Test Kootenai River -
BNSF #83 ATSF #83 1914 Pullman Research & Test Car No. 83 ATSF
BNSF #85 ATSF #85 1928 Pullman Track Geometry Car No. 85 ATSF
BNSF #86 ATSF #86 1965 Pullman Geometry Support Car No. 86 ATSF
BNSF #87 - - - Technical Training EPC 196806 -
BNSF #88 ATSF #88 1964 Pullman Technial Training Car No. 88 ATSF

Last updated September 11, 2014