Rail roads and their tracks.

[oliver1555]

 

[oliver1555]

This is the only picture I have. It looks like the truck driver and two from the train died. Someone had posted a video of the crossing a couple of weeks ago, showing how hard it was to see trains and saying crossing arms were needed. That’s about all I know right now. Still not home and service is sketchy where we are.

 

[ArlyA]

Well, you can't say the hills or trees blocked the visibility of the truck driver! What a tragedy.

Looks like a double main line, both ribbon.

 

[oliver1555]

Well, it doesn’t show it very well in the picture, but it is a very blind crossing and then it straightens out. There are a lot of trees just before the crossing, unless I have my wires crossed. But, from what my son told me, I think I know exactly where it is. And yes, that is the main line between Kansas City and Chicago. Lots of traffic on that line.

 

[oliver1555]

I got these pics from the Missouri Highway Patrol Facebook page. It is not where I thought.

 

[BravoXray]

Interesting video of a ballast cleaning machine in action.

 

[5030]

I see slowly but surely, America's railroads are getting away creosote coated wooden sleepers and going to pre cast concrete ones. Last longer, less maintenance and no disposal issues, plus the hold down hardware stays put.

 

[5030]

I got these pics from the Missouri Highway Patrol Facebook page. It is not where I thought.View attachment 751887
View attachment 751891

Saw a video of a large train carrying pre built rail panels out there.

 

[JethroB]

I see slowly but surely, America's railroads are getting away creosote coated wooden sleepers and going to pre cast concrete ones. Last longer, less maintenance and no disposal issues, plus the hold down hardware stays put.

Some steel ties too in suitable places like sidings and turnouts.

Any single steel tie can function properly for 50 years before needing repairs, compared to just 12-15 years for a wood equivalent. Spent steel ties can then be recycled as scrap or repaired with minor welding and returned to service.

 

[5030]

I keep wondering with ever increasing cost of diesel fuel if the railroads are also increasing the length of their consists to offset the increasing cost of fuel? I'm sure they have a contract cost but it still has to be going up Diesel-electric locomotives aren't exactly 'economical' to operate.