In the July 2003 issue Trains on pages 84-85 they show a picture of kerosene fueled switch heaters. I have seen these before but not in use.
My Question is: How cold does it have to be before they are lighted? Does snow cover also require the use of these? Is it a combination of the both?
The ones I have seen are on CSX. Do all the other rail lines use the same or is there maybe another method they use?
The only time I have seen them being used was when it was snowing. In very cold tempetures I am not sure about. Most that I have seen have been converted from kerosene to propane for cost and ease of maintance. The Wis. Cen. Insalled electric heaters. They have a fan and heat elements. they look like a giant hair dryer.
TIM ARGUBRIGHT
I go with Tim. In Ontario, they aren’t really “heaters” so much as “snow melters”. There is a blower beside the track and ductwork leads the heat so that it blows between the ends of the points and the stock rail.
I don’t know what they power them with.
In busy areas, e.g. Toronto Union Station, men are stationed with long oilcans with flames on the spouts and they sprinkle flaming liquid around all the moving parts of the switches (and with all those double slips there are lots of moving parts).
–David
Sorry that I misspelled “KEROSENE”.
I didn’t sign my post either.
Brian (KY)
Hi brian
Up here in NW Ohio they use natural gas heaters along the switches. That way they don’t have to check the fuel level so often.
stay safe have a good weekend
joe
I remember both the kerosene pots and the semi automatic LP gas fired switch heaters. The were usually fired up when snow began accumulating. The gas were semi automaatic, fired from a tower or other maintenance control point. The pots, however, were lit and placed by maintainers and other track men. You’ll find a few still in use in cold climates today. But any interlocking or control point remotely operated today probably has electric or automated gas heaters…