How Well Do You Know
Your Track Machinery?
Track maintenance is certainly one of the most important components of railroad operation and one of the most expensive. Over the years, as heavier loads became more typical and higher speeds became more necessary in competing with trucks moving on high speed highways, there has come a greater reliance on machines to do what strong backs and hand tools did before. Most of these machines are highly specialized and are not suitable for any other type of work. And few people get the chance to view these important parts of the railroad scene.
We thought you might like to test your knowledge of the “tools of the trade” by matching the word description of these various machines with the photographs taken recently on the Guilford system of newly acquired or reconditioned machines. See if you can match the correct photo caption following with the numbered photo. The answers appear at the bottom of the opposite page.
1) Spiker -spikes are fed through a placement chute on each side or rail and into position at the tie plate; the machine then hydraulically presses the spike home while gripping the rail. An operator is required for each application at each rail, as he positions the driving head over the hole in the tie plate.
2) Ballast regulator - this machine is equipped with adjustable plows, side ballast boxes and ballast brooms, and is able to create the correct contour of ballast shoulders. It is also able to move ballast from one side of the track to the other as needed. Since the ballast regulator is self-propelled and can be equipped with snow plows, it is a most valuable piece of equipment for snowfighting.
3) Tie inserter - this self-propelled machine is capable of removing or inserting ties in place in the track. It can also handle the longer switch ties. Hydraulic clamps grip the tie and a long-stroke piston moves the tie in or out. Rail clamps lift the rail enough to clear the tie.
4) Adzer - this machine cuts a flat surface on each end of the tie to provide a seat for the tie plate which is in the same plane as adjacent ties, assuring a level seat for the rail.
5) Tamper - the electronic wizard of smooth track, spanning more than 60 feet of track, which it can lift hydraulically, move laterally as needed, replace and support by tamping (i.e. compacting, at 3,200 vibrations per minute) the ballast at the ties. This machine positions the track with the “Delta” leveling system using infrared light beams to reproduce the desired level and superelevation conditions. Automatic and laser lining are available with this device.
6) Anchor applicator - this hydraulic press installs the “J” shaped rail anchors on the base of the rail snug against the sides of the ties to lock the rail in place. Rail anchors are essential for maintaining the integrity of the track structure both under movement of trains and during expansion and contraction of rail as temperature changes. One operator is required for each rail since the anchor must be accurately positioned.
7) Spike puller - this high speed hydraulic machine removes spikes in preparation for tie or rail replacement. The primary advantage of this machine is its speed as compared to the old method using a crowbar type manual spike puller.
