|
more articles like this
Welcome To The Train Show
updated: Jan 21, 2012, 9:45 AM
By David Powdrell
Every couple of decades the Union Pacific train company does extensive replacement of railroad ties. As a lover of trains and one who lives next to the tracks in Carpinteria, I had some sweet front row seats to the vast array of hydraulic machinery that rolled into town crack of dawn this morning.
In total, they'll replace 49,000 railroad ties in 30 days throughout Santa Barbara County, according to Aaron Hunt, director of corporate relations and media for Union Pacific. There are about 160 workers working the track and about 50 working the signals. I didn't count the number of pieces of heavy equipment on the track, but it was well over 20 and they were loaded with hydraulic pumps, arms, hammers and lifters.
It's not unlike watching synchronized swimming but with hardhats. Each machine has a single purpose; deliver the railroad ties, align them, prepare the site, pull old ties out, stack them, clean out the bed for the new tie, set new railroad tie guides, insert the new tie, pound it in, set and pound spikes, sweep, pick up old ties. There are typically 3 machines for each single purpose. I know I missed some steps, but you catch the drift.
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
# # # #
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
# # # #
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
# # # #
# # # #
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
# # # #
12 comments on this article. Read/Add
# # # #
|
