We’ve lived on the tracks for seven years now and haven’t seen anything like it. My wife was out with the dog the other day and she heard an incredible noise coming down the tracks. Looking up she saw the most unsual train she had ever seen. She said it looked like a flat car with a cab on it. Coming off either side were long arms (must have been 10-15 feet). On the end of each arm was large (4-6 feet) diameter spinning saw blade. One arm was folded back and idle while the other was hacking trees off at least 10 feet off the track. These trees were as big as 6-8 inches thick. Because she had the dog she didn’t get to run in a get the camera but I would have loved to post a shot of it. I didn’t see it, but this morning I walked the tracks and saw the damage it did. WOW!!
Anyone ever see one of these things before? (anyone sell a model of it?)
It sounds really interesting. I don’t think I would want to be anywhere near that thing. Where are you located? Maybe there is someone in your area that can keep an eye out for it.
Saw it a few times on the NS (ex-Southern) on my daily VRE trip from Broad Run Station (west of Manassas) to Crystal City, Va.).
I think they used to just spray DDT, but since it and agent orange is baned, they have this hacking device that doesn’t slice trees very pretty. Hacking is more like it. The only thing crazier is a rail grinder.
FJ & G - hacking is right. The trees are really more splintered than sawn. There are shards everywhere.
chuckn - That’s it! My wife came in when I showed her the picture and said that was exactly what it looked like. Even the same color. How’d your come out here and take that shot so fast [:p]
That 2nd photo is just really awesome. Man, if I built a model of this for my garden Railrway, I’d not only burn up all my ties, but the fire dept and homeowners association would be chasing me down the street!
Burning the weeds. Less environmental problems than use of herbicides UNLESS you start a brush.forest fire.
I also like the MOW switch point de-icers/snow blowers made from retired corporate jet engines. Saw one on the old New York Central main line along the Hudson near Poughkeepsie. This is also from the North East Rails web site, great place for prototype photos. This is a Long Island RR unit ut the one I saw looked similar, probably belonged to Metro North.
