CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILROAD THERMITE WELDING ACTION! | Jason Asselin

[@Alan-r2v9s]

Hi there, I was a thermite welder in the UK 🇬🇧 for 15 years. Loved my work. I am now retired but would love to go back and do it all again. 👍🏻😎👍🏻

[@owenireland2727]

70 years ago I fired my last steam engine trip before heading for college and a new career. Finally I see this connecting welding I never would have believed such a process existed. Incidentally I fired on B&0 RR in Indiana. Owen Ireland

[@clems6989]

My son was a thermite welder for Railtec Corp. He welded 100s of miles for the CN. In Wisconsin mainly. He was well known on the road as RV. Ryan is gone now but this video brought him back just for a little while. Than You !

[@billclaussen5255]

Whoa, that's a new one for me!!! Thanks for sharing Jason...Peace!!! Bill

[@jamesboykin7319]

Hello Jason nice catch, I worked for some railroads for 40 years in various capacity's, a time in the welding dept in the early 70's a little history on thermite welding, in world war 2 the British use to drop thermite bombs before they dropped their tall boy bombs on submarine pens v-1 missiles and v-2 launch sites any where that was reinforced with many feet of concrete and steel rebar, (incidentally the early myth buster's had some episodes were they play around with this stuff) there were 3 process we used back in the day thermite, Boulltate (SIC) and the fastest es and coolest Holland welding inside of semi trucks, also known as electric butt welding I'm pretty old now so my memory is fading thanks for your hard work .

[@the1burf]

With all the rail-fans out there you don't get to see this process often, Great job. Thank you.

[@msladykathryn313]

Who else hits the like button even before watching 👍👍👍👍 ?

[@kennyspry5189]

Jason are They going to put The Rail Line back into Service and Thank You for showing Us Rail Fans this Type of Video it's really Kool to See Welding Rail I've seen it in Person My Farther Retired from the Railroad in 2000 in 1963 He Hired in on the DT&I in Flat Rock MI then Was Sold to the GTW Due to the Sale of Conrail in 1984 Now CN Owen's The GT He Retired with CN again Thank You Appreciate it Very Much Towards the End He didn't Like what CN Was doing to Short Line Railroads He Loved working when it Was the DT&I RR

[@KB-gs8zi]

Sir Jason !! YEPPER !!! AIN'T seen that b/4 !!! WOW !!! Keep them coming & ""KEEP IT SAFE ""!!!!

[@martinross5521]

Hi Jason, great video and thank you. Bet the guys appreciate their knee pads for all that ground level work. Hope it leads to the line reopening for trains again.

[@clems6989]

My son was a thermite welder for the railroad, it is an amazing process. My boy "RV" was known up and down the tracks up north, He worked for a company called Railtec out of Lady smith WI.

[@jamessefton3680]

I’ve been a welder/ fabricator for 40+ years and that’s a lot faster than doing it with 7018!!!😂😂👍Great video Thanks for sharing with us 👍

[@Kathrynyoder-x2j]

Cool video. I have never seen anything like that before. Thanks for sharing this.

[@jasonasselin]

Thanks for watching!

[@billmorris2613]

I have seen this welding process done several times. The first time was to repair a broken rail. I had to stop my train to let the MOW crew make the repair.before we could proceed over that location. After the welding process was done we had to wait until the track cooled down before we could proceed. I was surprised at the way the tracks were welded together. As a kid all my uncles were all welders and one had a shop near our house? I use to like to watch them build fences and spiral stairs. I had figured the track were welded together in the same manner. But as we saw it is much different. After watching the video, I was looking at that spur on google earth’s street view in Iron Mountain at the Campbell / Jackson crossing. I noticed that the tracks on either side of the crossing did not have very much rust on top of them when these google shots were taken. So I checked a few other crossings from where this east / west spur comes off the north / south tracks on the west side of Iron Mountain. Again there was not much rust on top of the rail, and some were even reflecting the sun off of the top of the rail. Then I found Specialty Minerals just east of Iron Mountain. Those tracks have many cars inside the plant. So to me it looks like that spur is active.

[@billmorris2613]

Our neighborhood ooöp9

[@ronhelman3985]

Cool video Jason, thanks

[@jasonasselin]

No problem 👍

[@greglucas1497]

J.A very interesting video. Always on your game as usual. A follow up might be necessary in the future.

[@lisad476]

That's way cool Jason. I didn't know how they did that, especially with thermite. Very awesome!!!

[@timidema6374]

Wow that was neat to watch, alot of procedures to fix a track ,I've never knew that how they did it thanks for the video.

[@jasonasselin]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@southernrailway4188]

Great video Jason. Thank you for all that you do.

[@jasonasselin]

I appreciate that!

[@southernrailway4188]

@@jasonasselin You're welcome good sir. Back in the summer of 2019, I found your channel completely by accident, as I was searching for train videos. Been with you ever since.

[@mattclark8436]

Very interesting video of a welding process! Thanks for putting the video up on your site!

[@jasonasselin]

Glad you liked it!

[@walterfink9782]

I've seen this before, but not live. What's really neat, is to see it in Winter. On a cloudy day. You can see the smoke and red hot materials so much better. I have a feeling, that this track is going to be used, in some way soon.

[@brianweber4154]

might be getting ready to start up again

[@turnermorgan1176]

Here in Maryland, there is a rail crossing that was rebuilt on an abandoned rail line. Some of the reasons given were that the highway is very busy and could not have lanes closed off for the amount of time needed to remove the rail and ties and then put in a surfaced road; the cost to upgrade the crossing was cheaper than removing the rail and ties; and, rebuilding the crossing was faster than all the work needed to remove it. The abandoned rail line was turned over to the county and is now a hiking and bicycling trail. Reason(s) enough? Maybe. Thanks for the video. I have heard of thermite welding but have never seen the process. Interesting.

[@EricSmith-ve7qi]

Very good video jason!! Never seen it done before but thanks to you i have! Thanks for another great video...

[@williambryant5946]

That's neat how that works. Never been that close to it being done before but I've seen video of it being done that close before. Great video. From NC stay well. -Wil 👍

[@walterlangston4253]

back in 2006 rj corman rebuild the sugar creek spur had not seen a train in 20 years and now it sees trains all most evey day so there may be planes to run trains on this line again if there doing all that work

[@twofoottaylor1]

That was a great educational video, but yes, very strange that they would put all that work into that crossing with no plans to run trains through there. Thanks again Jason for all your videos and for sharing them with railfans who can't be there with you. I'm just over here in Ontario.

[@jasonasselin]

Exactly.. Thanks for watching eh!

[@twofoottaylor1]

@@jasonasselin My pleasure Jason, keep those great videos and commentaries coming. Always enjoy what you have to say.

[@ruprajsengupta2920]

Thorough coverage thank you

[@jasonasselin]

My pleasure!

[@rosemarywalker924]

Hi Jason very interesting video a good job done many thanks have not seen it before love your last video all three locomotives together and a lots of shunting love it thanks for the video 🙂👍,

[@jasonasselin]

Many thanks!

[@joemiller1655]

Them guys got skills!

[@jmbtrain1]

Your video was great. Much more up close than I have seen. Hopefully you will start seeing some trains on this line sooner than later.

[@nashguy207]

Cool video. I have seen this a couple of times but love watching it!

[@jasonasselin]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@butlerjctsewirr5511]

Great video documentation ive been on a thermite crew early in my railroading career . Nice to see somethings never change ...

[@jasonasselin]

Cool, thanks

[@DogRedful]

Termite welding....glad to see someone has found a good use for those destructive little bugs.

[@Silvergt333]

They sure worked together! Must know what they are doing!

[@SuperDexter212]

I am a new welder from Europe. this welding is done to reduce the maintenance cost of bar and joint old method. This looks easy but it is really hard and dangerous work too. Especially when you remove the excess molten metal with hammer. The new technology is only upgraded to an automatic Propane and Oxygen mixture. Rest is still the same.

[@brianwilson7314]

Could be setting up for storage cars.

[@larrybaldridge1571]

I have seen it before, thanks Jason Larry from Lafayette, La.

[@williamjohnson5777]

That was another great video. Very informative. Keep sharing and my wife wants you to go find another moose! Thank you!

[@jasonasselin]

Deal! lol

[@Silvergt333]

Enjoyed it! Keep an eye out and see if they schedule! Hope it’s not far from you!

[@davenelson9253]

I did some thermal welding, when i worked at a power plant , about 25 yrs a go !

[@stackingforfun9216]

Only the 2nd time I have seen . It’s cool to watch in person

[@Brian_rock_railfan]

great video liked 👍😮

[@jasonasselin]

Thanks for the visit

[@dontderockmeriz4546]

They use ballest to keep the rails from moving when a train crosses. What a concept lol. Maybe there’s future plans for opening the line back up or maybe it’s gonna be leased by another company.

[@RonLauzon]

And **that** is why little boys want to work on the railroad.

[@clarklindquist8137]

They are starting to let speeders run on some of these abandoned tracks. Maybe that's the case. Or maybe they will reactivate it. Really cool video. Thanks

[@historybuff9276]

I done electrical work when I was younger & this is how we'd connect to our ground source.

[@jamessimmons1888]

Good video Jason, I have seen that done in person before, very good.

[@jasonasselin]

Thanks 👍

[@gingerbread6614]

They are probably using this for training. Thank you

[@jasonasselin]

Nope. These guys have been doing it for years.

[@fogdan]

Great Video!!! Thanks for posting!!!

[@jasonasselin]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@1ChevyGuy375]

Nice catch Jason, I have never seen that before. Those guys did a nice job too. Hopefully they put that track to use now and don’t waste the money spent fixing that. That would just be a loss of the material and money that went into that.

[@wolfpacva]

Looks like you will have some new trains to film in the future. Are they just doing the crossing or all the track. All tracks in the northeast are done like that makes the trains quieter since there is no joints. There must be plans for trains other wise they would not spend money on that.

[@t.s.railfanning]

I watched that happen here in ripon Wisconsin. It pays to have friends that work on the railroad

[@TDIMAXDIESEL]

very interesting, thanks for sharing !

[@jasonasselin]

My pleasure!

[@benc.enlots]

Good video Jason

[@heikkidtw5992]

Ive never seen that before...this is very educational..

[@erict5234]

Is this the cn connection that runs east to quinnesec (Verso paper)? If ELS doesn't serve that plant, then I assume the switch was put in back in the CNW / MILW Rd days to keep the paper company from being held hostage by a single railroad?

[@camagnuson6108]

Wow! Something new for me.

[@jasonasselin]

Glad to hear that!

[@briandonovan9560]

First time I saw this process being done was back in 1993 on the ex Soo Line near Weyawega Wi. By the then current Wisconsin Central RR. The flashover is dangerous to look at up close without welder goggles .

[@BNforever2009]

Good video!

[@ronservice1708]

Very cool thank you

[@Silvergt333]

Did they fixed that intersection? Looks like new gravel? If this is testing maybe they’ll be running trains down there,! Looks like a unique process

[@emknapp6713]

I’ve worked on that line before probably 7 or 8 years ago.

[@johnd2042]

Thanks good video. Learned something new today. Thankyou

[@williamralph5442]

Very interesting.

[@jasonasselin]

Very!

[@mrfingerlakes8735]

Cool video

[@fayeharris7391]

Hi JASON, that is an interesting and informative video. I watched a CSX crew perform this procedure several years ago on their main line coming out of Athens, Ga. . That track looks to be well maintained and not rusty. Maybe you can show us videos of this track being used(hopefully). I was told that the weld as actually more solid than the rail itself. (the kitty's pal from Ga.)

[@cmphighpower]

There’s a section of the “old road” that the Adrian and Blissfield wants to relay to connect Riga Michigan to Ottawa Lake Michigan. This would allow the ADBF to be able to directly ship to Toledo Ohio. They haven’t been able to secure the funds to do it. Funny how government works

[@billmorris2613]

Good afternoon from St John Parish, Louisiana 17 Sep 20.

[@jasonasselin]

Hello there!

[@KirtH27]

Do you know Don Loch ? He is from Iron Mountain

[@tucobenedicto109]

Dot crossing protection. Try to film the insulated joints on either side. Looks like a new crossing pad. The crossing is either disabled or jumped out as the track circuit is broken before the weld. Even if it is O.O.S. if there is a loose freight car the crossing should work unless it is exempt. That looks like 136lb. Rail. New customers might come online! Thanks. Yes I've seen this welding before as I work for a railroad. Continue welded rail!

[@rickchapman9232]

Do you know what you hear when a train goes over a joint,this stops that noise.

[@raymondwedley]

I Like This One

[@brianhickey5949]

I have seen the automated versions - not quite as cool as this though :)

[@ELSTrainTuber501]

What street is it on?

[@cwoelkers1]

Based on some Google street view searching it looks like Campbell St to me.

[@ELSTrainTuber501]

cwoelkers1 ok

[@billmorris2613]

It is on Campbell / Jackson St. It is near the West end of Iron Mountain

[@jasonasselin]

Jackson on one side, Campbell on the other.. All one road.

[@ELSTrainTuber501]

Jason Asselin ok

[@Utubin]

Its neet. Is this the same process for all rail joining? Surely this can't be ? Someone help me understand .

[@heikkidtw5992]

Very cool

[@royreynolds108]

I have done thermite welding and the big thing is the preparation. I have witnessed a weld go wrong-it leaked; not fun.

[@donaldfuller5041]

IS THIS CONSIDERED FUSION WELDING OR RESISTENCE?

[@JOHNNYCARROLL-f9e]

this would be considered a fusion weld.

[@chrisdahl864]

Is this what they mean by "welded rail"??

[@dennisrichardville4988]

Yes

[@stretchlimo7275]

There's also ribbon rail, it's welded but not by the thermite process I don't think

[@danielszabolcsik1610]

Ribbon rail is usually welded with an electric butt welding machine.

[@lloydrobinson7081]

it looks like a lot of work for nothing, keep the videos coming

[@jking0.o121]

How tall are you brother? You look like your 7' judging by how your head touches the ceiling of your car.

[@sparky107107]

i do this at work also..

[@jasonasselin]

Cool!

[@davenelson9253]

i;thought you cut your hear

[@jeremyvehring9259]

Great video Jason! I saw them do this on Virtual Railfan cam up in Wausau, WI. I applaud the two black guys. This breaks the stereotype that any black person can do anything if they put their mind to it. As for your question, it sounds like a bypass siding if there is a derailment or any other problems arises. I'm sure most railroads have alternate routes if there is any type of emergency so they can keep the traffic moving.

[@jasonasselin]

Just people to me.

[@erik5809]

I think your prejudice is showing there Jeremy…

[@GoogsMindbent]

keep an eye on the line, maybe something will turn up... otherwise.... hands-on training perhaps?

[@MeigsCountyRR]

They sure know what they're doing. But I wouldn't want to be that guy holding the shovel trying to catch those red hot bits of welding material. A big chunk could miss and hit the leg or go into the boot or towards the head. Just seems dangerous to me. One thing to consider is that the end of Sept is the end of the fiscal year for a lot of governments and corporations. If they have money left in the budget, they have to spend it somewhere. Plus it's an election year, so a lot of infrastructure projects get done before elections. Just some food for thought. :) Greg in TN

[@stevedunlop1934]

The boots and jeans provide more protection than you might think

[@CHANGCHENG2023]

So hot

[@Utubin]

In this technology filled world , I would think there would be a more efficient and substantially faster way than this. Too me, seems so,( hmm), I'd say so 1930's era . Of course this comment is only from my unprofessional opinion. Just a common sense statement.

[@realdoctorobvious]

Government waste.

[@Oliver-kv2mm]

How many commercials do you need, quit watching.

[@jking0.o121]

Agree. Too many.

[@Utubin]

Don't hate. The man needs his money like most folk lol.