Rail roads and their tracks.

[the old grind]

We all know UP#844 as a big Northern type (4-8-4) loco but the class comes in other sizes and some are, well a bit heavier. This is bigger iron, and by a few er' tons.

 

[ArlyA]

Seen some RR tracks just outside on Marquette MI yesterday. Cleveland-Cliffs may own them and seen some serious spalding* at the joints.

*real name of rail ends being flaked off?

 

[MossRoad]

Are they using taconite for ballast or is that just spillage over the years?

 

[ArlyA]

Are they using taconite for ballast or is that just spillage over the years?

Spillage.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

 

[MossRoad]

View attachment 799850

I've never seen them on a trailer in that orientation. Usually they're across the trailer.

Also, the irony of seeing rail car wheels being transported by truck never ceases to make me say "Hmmmm...."

 

[MossRoad]

 

[BravoXray]

We used to haul wheelsets out of the Pittsburgh area to Progress Rail in the Gary area all the time. Driver had to have 10 - 8 foot 2X4s to nail down on the floor as rails. Normally, 20 wheelsets were about 42,000#. They were always tricky to secure, you could only tie down the front and rear sets.
As to why they ship them by truck, the receiver at Progress Rail said that way they knew when they would get them. When they did ship by rail, they never knew when they would arrive.

 

[BravoXray]

Seen some RR tracks just outside on Marquette MI yesterday. Cleveland-Cliffs may own them and seen some serious spalding* at the joints.

*real name of rail ends being flaked off?

The term is spalling.

 

[MossRoad]

We used to haul wheelsets out of the Pittsburgh area to Progress Rail in the Gary area all the time. Driver had to have 10 - 8 foot 2X4s to nail down on the floor as rails. Normally, 20 wheelsets were about 42,000#. They were always tricky to secure, you could only tie down the front and rear sets.
As to why they ship them by truck, the receiver at Progress Rail said that way they knew when they would get them. When they did ship by rail, they never knew when they would arrive.

DOH!