by YOLO
The FTA made a fuss about this work zone and got bumped up to the top of the list.
Railroad Forums
Moderators: mtuandrew, therock, Robert Paniagua
Sand Box John wrote:Several of you pictures show ties that date back to when WMATA was still using plates and spikes. In one picture a new tie with E clip plates and bolts are next to a tie with plates and spikes marked for replacement. WMATA has replaced roughly 20 percent of the ties per pass over the last dozen or so years. When I road through there on Silver line opening day there were a number of discarded ties next to security fence.There was a special machine they were using to screw in the bolts to attach the plates, but it was parked almost directly beneath the bridge that I was standing on, and as a result I couldn't get a really decent picture. But it made quite a noise when they were running it.
Sand Box John wrote:"JackRussell"Hey, we should be glad there were actually intact fasteners there at all....
WMATA posted a video of some of the work going on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne_QIsWBajo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
HOLLY EXCREMENT ! ! The seen from 0:19 to 0:36 shows the removing of nuts from first generation rail fasteners. Those rail fasteners are at least 35 YEARS OLD.
Sand Box John wrote: WMATA has been using Pandrol fasteners for at least 20 years now on both ballasted track and concrete track beds. The plates are bolted to the ties.Here is a closeup of the fastening:
Sand Box John wrote:"MACTRAXX"The rail fastener plates are attached to the wood ties with screw spikes. Here is an example one:http://www.railway-fastener.com/sspike/ ... w-198.html. The ones WMATA uses have pointed tips. The spike in the plate is used to hold the plate in gauge for the screw spike driver.
I noticed that Metro is now using Pandrol plates and clips replacing more traditional tie plates and spikes. Are they using bolts or hairpin spikes to fasten their wood ties?
WMATA has been using Pandrol fasteners for at least 20 years now on both ballasted track and concrete track beds. The plates are bolted to the ties.
In future track work programs in which large portions of track are replaced does Metro plan on installing any new tie types such as composite (plastic) or concrete (used on the new Silver Line to Dulles Airport) replacing wood?
To my knowledge no.
schmod wrote:Is it just me, or do the power-related speed restrictions seem to be based upon a fundamental misunderstanding of how electricity works?But...... Lecumtricity is SCARY....
High current draw might cause problems for the transformers, but doesn't cause track fires.