I guess there is a prototype for everything. The only thing is that I can’t figure out what the prototype would use this type of trackage for.
The correct name for that is Panel Track - it is used to build temporary bypass tracks (and yes, there are panel switches too). Use images.google.com and search for “railroad panel track” and you will see all sorts, including switches in gondolas.
Gil, known as Bill somedays … [8D]
I first saw this type of track after a CN derailment in Prescott, Ontario. The derailing train had destroyed both mainline tracks on what is CN and VIA Rail’s busy Toronto-Montreal corridor. The clean-up crews showed up, and loads of that panel track was brought in. They were able to have a temporary (restricted speed) main-line back up and running using that stuff by the next morning, before they’d even cleaned up most of the cars. They then set to work on actually replacing the tracks, but the panel track allowed for the quick establishment of a temporary through-way, so traffic was slowed but not entirely halted on the line.
I thought the same thing as the OP…there is a prototype for everything!
Thank you for the info. I saw a facility that either makes panel track or stores it. It is located outside of Joplin, MO near the KCS right of way. I would have snapped a pic or two, but it wouldn’t be a good idea while I was driving down the highway.
if Memory serves correct I have a few stacks of this in Staten Island Railway Maintentence Yard
The traditional name for a temporary track built to bypass a washout or other problem is a “shoo-fly”.
I have an empty flat car that I’ve been looking for a load to put on it. That looks to be just the ticket.
Back in 2000, shortly after the UP acquired SP, the merged railroad was having terrible problems with gridlock. Dispatchers had more trains trying to enter a terminal than there was room for, which resulted in crews going “dead on hours” with their train stopped on the mainline, only serving to worsen the gridlock.
About that time, Railfan & Railroad magazine ran a photo of a panel switch loaded on a flatcar in a moving UP train. The caption claimed that UP was experimenting with a new anti-gridlock project. If the test were successful, UP road trains would begin carrying enough loads of panel track and switches so that train crews stuck on the mainline could lay their own siding just about anywhere and park their train on this “Porta-Siding” to help relieve the congestion.
Of course, the photo and caption ran in the April issue!
Tom
Not the best photo, but it’s the only one I can find right now. This photo of 2 switches on a flat car was taken this past April on Norfolk Southern’s main line in Leetsdale, PA and headed toward Conway Yard.
Tom
