Rochelle, Illinois work crews on webcam

I’ve been enjoying the Trains magazine Rochelle, Illinois live webcam for a couple of years now; but I’ve routinely noticed something that has aroused my curiosity: The fact that it seems probably 75% of the time I put on the webcam there is a railroad crew working on the diamonds of the interlocking for much of the day. I’m not knowledgeable enough on these matters to know what they’re doing, and if it’s the same task, or different things on different days. But what I can’t help but wonder is (and don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to imply anything here)…what in the world are they working on day after day after day year 'round??

If anyone can answer that for me, I’d appreciate it.

By the way, kudos to Trains for putting up and maintaining that great webcam. It is the only one I can consistently rely on to be up and running (unlike so many others), and to not have to wonder if it’s going to go away at any day (like many others). I also loved the Ft. Madison, Iowa cam on the BNSF transcon, but it has been ruined with recent changes made in it (very little zooming and panning capability compared to what it once had – a real shame).

I would say you’re seeing routine maintainance. Diamonds take a real beating, especially with higher speeds. So the diamonds are constantly needing upkeep. With 4 to take care of that’s a lot of attention.

I can’t explain what the crews are working on in detail because I’m no expert on track work. What I can tell you is that you have two very busy main lines that cross at a weird angle, I’m guessing that on a very busy day Rochelle might see upwards of 135 freight trains (but NOT on the day when YOU go there). That’s a lot of steel wheels beating on the diamonds.

CC

seems like every other day up crews are there working… been there 17 times this summer and notice that they are welding on the ‘v’ portion of diamonds with a mig welder. few weeks ago when we had the heat wave 95-100 deg a crew was there on a sunday noon to 5pm welding the tips. not many places hotter than the rr tracks in middle of july!!! those guys earn their bucks[:I] crs