The logic escapes me - some are okay, but too many are bad. Is not the idea to maintain the track in the condition required for maximum safety - not minimum? Especailly if one is referring to main lines.
Irrespective of the physics involved, those spikes were put in tightly and when and if they work loose, and they will, then replacement should not be optional.
BK
(1) The size of most railroad physical plants drives the methodology. ($$$Reality)
(2) The FRA guidelines in 49CFR213are tried and true.
(3) Do you replace your car every few weeks because the old one is worn, has a couple nicks in the paint?
Iv’e seen some loose spikes on the CN main here but the trains are never running more than 40 MPH and I have never seen any on the NS which run at 60 MPH
Our section gang currently consists of four people. That’s up from the two they had for the summer. We maintain close to 100 miles of track. Acually it’s more like 130-140 miles of track because we have about forty miles of double track mainline. We also have to handle a decent sized yard and we have industrial spurs. We DON’T have time to go out and hammer down loose spikes. And it’s not like you’re going to change out a bad tie in five or ten minutes. We have more work than we can handle and the track inspectors find more for us to do every single day. And no, I’m not going to say where I work.[:D]
could be replaces with a longer spike
PigFarmer – welcome aboard, and you don’t have to say where you work! But you and MC have whacked it (as it were!) right on the head.
Yeah it would be nice if there were time to reset every loose spike and replace every slightly bad tie, and it would be nice if there were the money – but it isn’t. And there are very good standards and rules which ensure that the track is safe for the posted speeds. And the safety margins have been tested by time, and are huge.
You have a choice of 5 1/2" industrial grade or 6 " standard grade going in a 7" x 9" tie.
Wanna poke a hole out the other side? Not much else to gain purchase on.
Thanks for the kind words. You’re right about the rules. Besides our own inspectors we also have the FRA keeping an eye on things. Time is money and we don’t want trains waiting on us or for slow orders. Anyone who thinks the RRs don’t care about maintenance is thinking the wrong way. Those train crews depend on us. We don’t want anyone getting hurt. We all have the same goal of getting home safely every day.