Track Work???

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

The UP was working on the tracks today, and i seen a machine that seemed to have 2 or 3 large spikes on each side that appeared to be jamming into the ballast beside the ties or into the ties followed by a machine that appeared to be sweeping the rails. Could someone explain to me what they where doing?

2

The machine with the spikes was vibrating the ballast to pack it in. The one with the plows was shaping the ballast. Often on the NS the one with the plows has a giant brush on the front that brushes the ballast in between the rails.

Here are some pics of NS equipment. Take a look at the track equipment:

http://trackgang.railfan.net/images/ns-mw/ns-mw.html

3

Thanks for the response.