Broken rails, compromised track, and other tales Part 2 in Tales of the Jointed Track
- Feb. 20, 2015, 8:48 a.m.
- |
- Public
I may have mentioned this in another entry, but the Railroads are required to ride the track every day for inspection. Maybe more, if a problem shows. An example would be a RED signal, with no train ahead. A signal maintainer, walks that section of track affecting the block, and finds a broken rail. The section is called and rail replaced.
a BNSF section truck, with HY-Railer equipment
A newer BNSF section truck. Hy-Rail equipped, with a rail on top.
A Santa Fe Ultrasonic rail detector
Newer Hy-Rail Truck
An old Rio Grande “Pop Car” , or what they called a track speeder. The track supervisor, is waiting, to make an inspection.
A BNSF Geometric Test Car
Last updated February 20, 2015
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MageB ⋅ February 20, 2015
Wow....I've seen some of these but not all.
Larry ⋅ February 20, 2015
Bob that reminds me of the time I was in dispatcher training and so made my first trip in a track car (speeder). Track Supvr Shipley and I made a round trip from Winslow to Flagstaff and back. Anyway everything went fine and nothing was found as far a defects or hazards. But we did have a derailment in the track car. Coming down the mountains eastbound out of Flagstaff at a siding sign Darling, Az
there was this big ole crow sitting on the south rail of the south main track. And
yep he did not see or hear us and we hit him derailing the motor car at about 15
mph. Nice little bump there but the only one that got hurt was the crow and
he did not survive. Bob sure enjoyed your article on broken rails.
woman in the moon ⋅ February 21, 2015
Something like the little car would come up our railroad every day to check things out - the Section guys. I'm always surprised to think how often we saw the Handcar or the train itself from way across the valley. A train was excitement - guess it still would be if it were still there.
woman in the moon ⋅ February 21, 2015
VERY nice pictures. I like the one with the little crane and the rail so they could make repairs on the spot.
The second to last pic is just a fantastic photo. The little track car, the guy in his dusty uniform being so guy, and the big Rio Grande locomotive behind him.
Thanks always.