I caught this on the webcam earlier…a truck inspecting the diamonds, how often is this done?
Here’s the image http://www.trainweb.org/semorails/rochelletruck.JPG .[:D]
I’ve seen them on the cam quite regularly in fact much more often then the BNSF inspectors [:p][:D][:)]
[quote]
Originally posted by UPTRAIN
You will see trucks on both lines weekly and usually on Mondays, there will be
a crew that tightens bolts in the diamond.
[quote]
QUOTE: Originally posted by spbed
I’ve seen them on the cam quite regularly in fact much more often then the BNSF inspectors [:p][:D][:)]
I am watching a BNSF truck going down the rails right now!
It’s not uncommon to see crews working on the diamond almost daily. In addition to the bolts, I think they weld to build up worn surfaces. MC can elaborate.
You know I wonder with all the heavy traffic (long, long coal trains) they do not replace the Rochelle diamonds more often just to be on the “safe” side. In Colton CA there is a duplicate of this diamond & 2 years ago they had the new diamond laid out with the direction it was to be installed. Last year when I returned the diamonds had been replaced & the type of traffic in Colton + the volume is less then Rochelle. [:o)][:D][:p][:)]
[quote]
Originally posted by tree68
The last time i know of Rochelle replacing the diamonds was back on Sept. 26, 2000. Shut the junction down for about 1 1/2 hours. After that it was a railfan heaven. i caught 40 trains in 4 1/2 hours.
Csx checks the diamond at deshler everyday.its still a reduced speed work zone.the diamond needs replaced.when csx will replace it time will tell.
stay safe
Joe
…Just saw 2 men working on the diamonds at Rochelle…{They quit at 6:00 pm CDT}…and right after they got off the tracks a UP train came through towards the camera…About 20 minutes before a south bound BNSF train came through…Sun is blaring in the cam now…
…Nope, they did not quit…After the train went through they went back out and are working now…6:12 pm CDT.
i have dsl and it isnt working (the webcam) could it be norton???
to be more specific it says "sitecam live initializing or something like that
"
you got it right in your first post… Norton doesn’t seem to like the camera. I usually would disable Norton while watching the camera, then restore it when finished
could you explain how
???
thanks
in advance
Welders ringing up the overtime Modelcar! Most likely one of the frog inserts chipped out! (Dispatchers probably chased them off to run the trains)
With the tonnage accross the diamonds at Rochelle, I would imagine that both railroads at minimum, patrol track 2-3 times a week plus when there is a weather related or or other crisis that requires a special inspection. I also imagine both railroad’s track inspectors know the other guy’s telephone number and radio call sign/ unit number . Plus, i would not be surprised if the railroad roadmaster who is responsible for maintenance on the crossing frogs is driving by daily or has somebody like a foreman or welder looking daily.
Without rehashing old posts, please remember that:
(1) each of those crossing frogs (16 here in 4 diamonds) is custom made from special plans peculiar to that crossing… They are made in 1 of 5-6 places that are the only places in the country that make 'em. (IronKen used to do that)
(2) the castings are explosive hardened in crossing frogs like Rochelle, made of the hardest cast manganese that you can find…
(3) are still the most brittle things to be in the track structure (they get beat to death by all the tonnage, you don’t want them in the track if you can avoid it (JoeKoh has seen them taken out due to infrequent use by one railroad)
(4) they cost $200,000 - $350,000) a pop to totally renew (at Rochelle, multipy x 4)
(5) from order to delivery takes 6-8 months or more.
(6) they are a nightmare to maintain, welding broken inserts is an art and time consuming…
(7)replace a crossing frog in 1 1/2 hours? [(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]…maybe an insert. Replacing one diamond/ crossing frog properly and entirely from
…Looked to be two workers doing some work at the diamonds and I was wondering how that is done safely…with 4 tracks to watch for oncoming traffic…Is one fellow doing the watching {for traffic}…? Thinking if the wind is blowing a certain direction they may not hear the oncoming train, etc…or is there a radio on to alert them of oncoming traffic…? It simply looks dangerous. Crossing has lots of traffic.
I have occasionally seen the welders working at night with flood lights. I bet it’s really hard to any kind of a MOW window on both roads.
dd
MC - I was going to e-mail you about this, but decided to let everyone take a swipe at me.
Would an overpass instead of diamonds be a solution? BNSF going to an overpass and UP staying on the ground? I know everything is horribly expensive, but this would be a one time expenditure.
Now tell me where I have birdseed for brains…
Moo
Yes everything you say is understandable. I have been watching the cam for several years & so far the diamonds have never been replaced. Whereas as I posted up in the thread at Colton CA there is another diamond that handles less volume & less tonnage (no coal trains) were replaced last year. You would think from a safety point of view instead of welding, tighting nuts etc, etc why not just replace them every couple of years? When you think of all the manpower we see manitaining them it would seem to be a far cheaper & safer solution. By the time I 1st hit Colton the UPRR had the SPRR in its grip for 7 years so I think there has to be some other reason why the Colton diamond was completely changed out & the Rochelle one has not. Also the Colton diamond handles ALL the BNSF traffic from So. California (so it is very, very important to them) The UPRR has trackage rights over them to reach the LASLC & then you have the UPRR sunset route hitting the diamond as well [:o)][:I]
[quote]
Originally posted by mudchicken
[quote]
Originally posted by Modelcar
If you want I can post some pics of the diamond that I took last year after the installation of the new diamond. They will be pix off a TV screen as I did not have a D.camera last year. The thumbnail is not bad but when you blow it up I think it becomes somewhat distorted. [:o)][:D][:p]
[quote]
Originally posted by mudchicken
[quote]
Originally posted by Modelcar
[