Keeping the NHV track in top shape is no easy task...
It all starts with an inspection
from our Roadmaster... A tap of the tie, some number
juggling, and years of experience help the Roadmaster decide
which crossties will be marked to pull and replace during "track
season".
Next a crew
with shovels and rakes descend on the marked
crossties, "digging out" the ends from the
stone ballast. Thousands of spikes
have to be pulled, clips and tie plates
removed all by a manned crew.
With the
ends clear, a tie extractor makes things a
bit easier than having to use tie tongs and
long bars alone.
The results
of a couple hundred ties and hardware
removed...
Truckloads
of new ties arrive.
Then the
bundles are loaded onto MoW rail cars and
moved to where they need to be distributed.
New ties
are inserted under the rails. Again, a
crew of men drops each tie and wrestles it
into starting position.
Inserting
the tie under the rails.
Tie plates
are inserted and spikes are driven to hold
the rail and ties together.
{missing picture}
Then the stone
ballast is raked back into position and
backfilled when and where necessary.
Finally, a
tamping machine is used to vibrate and
settle the stone ballast into position under
and around the new ties.
Photo credit:
Robert Middour unless otherwise noted.
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railroad history alive? Become a
volunteer or contact us about a donation.
