Spreading Black Bananas on the Railroad

[@Trains-With-Shane]

Lucky is a surgeon with that crane!

[@ccrx6700]

Yes Lucky is a pretty good operator Shane, and a great guy too. He's been on several of our videos before. Appreciate the kind words and for taking the time to visit with us and write in my friend.

[@michaelpass2176]

Good night Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

Sleep well Michael and have a good day tomorrow.

[@beverlymichael5830]

There is so much work just to Maintain the tracks. And the cost of the ties themselves. Takes a lot of money to keep things running. Great job you guys do.

[@ccrx6700]

Your right Beverly, so much to do and so much cost involved in keeping trains running and staying on track. Really glad you could take the time to visit with us and check out the tie show. Glad you enjoyed my friend.

[@falksweden]

Always a treat to watch Lucky work!

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks for the kind words Kristian. Lucky is a good man. Really nice you could take the time to visit with us and check out the tie show. Glad you enjoyed my friend.

[@missyd0g2]

Dave, do the new ties last longer than ties of 30 years ago. Technology has improved many older items. Thank you and the railroad management staff for letting us see real railroad operations. 🎉❤

[@ccrx6700]

Wood ties are wood ties, they last the same missydog. New advances in concrete has significantly improved their life. This is the 1st part of a 4 part mini series on ties, so be sure and watch the next 3 where you will get a lot more info on wood and concrete ties in those videos. Appreciate your stopping by and watching my friend.

[@danielrongo2367]

Cool stuff Dave I like it

[@ccrx6700]

Appreciate the nice comment Daniel. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@tzadik36]

Thank you for this nice video! Black Bananas Matter!

[@ccrx6700]

Your very welcome Robin. Loved the BBM..... LOL LOL, I'm on the floor laughing with that one! You made my day. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@mikejackman4416]

I can smell them from here Dave,,,great video

[@ccrx6700]

Nothing better to get a railroader's juices flowing than the aroma of fresh creosote on a hot morning. thanks so much my friend for stopping by and writing in with the nice comment.

[@myrnawashington9057]

I didn't know black bananas Were railroad ties, I was wondering why they would be putting down rotten bananas.😂😂😂something new I learned today. Thank you for posting this.

[@ccrx6700]

Well Myrna my wife likes to keep the black bananas for banana bread. Your welcome and appreciate your taking the time to check out the tie show and writing in my friend.

[@darnoldie]

That crane operator is very talented. I'll bet he can open a pop top can with that machine. And not spill a drop. Come on Dave, make that a future video!!😃

[@ccrx6700]

Sounds like a pretty good challenge for the grapple truck operators darnoldie, I'll see if they will go for it :-) I'd put my money on Richard. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@BazilRat]

@@ccrx6700 Winner gets a case of [insert beer of choice] here, trust me.

[@RyanBenbow]

​@@ccrx6700they don't look like a banana. Not even close

[@NagoLish]

That grapple operator is smooth with it. Another good video, keep ‘em comin.

[@ccrx6700]

Yes he is NagoL. thank you for the kind words. Really appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and write in my friend.

[@rdholdwick]

I love how much this guy loves his job.

[@ccrx6700]

Appreciate the very nice comment rdholdwick. I do love my job, it is the central preoccupation of my life. Thanks so much my friend for visiting with us and checking out the tie show.

[@espeescotty]

I like it, Dave...Trucks, trains, and some fine-looking ties. 👍

[@ccrx6700]

Right down your alley Scotty. I made this just with you in mind....:-) Really glad you could take the time to visit with us and check out the tie show. Glad you enjoyed my friend.

[@espeescotty]

@@ccrx6700 😄👍❤️

[@geraldblackburn4883]

Love the smell of the fresh ties.

[@ccrx6700]

A railroader's dream aroma Gerald, freshly creosoted ties on a very hot day. A little dash of creosote in the morning coffee on a cold winter's morning is the way to get a railroader's blood flowing..... LOL Always is a pleasure my friend to have you watch and write in.

[@geraldblackburn4883]

@@ccrx6700 👍👍👍

[@captainkeyboard1007]

This show is Indepth and awesome. I am glad that New York City Transit chose to purchase track ties from you-American made. I do live in New York. Now it is time to get America back into training.

[@ccrx6700]

Maybe if you ride the transit there you'll ride over some of those WV ties Captain Keyboard! NYCT is very particular about the quality of the ties they purchase. Appreciate very much your taking the time to visit with us and may you have a very good day my friend.

[@captainkeyboard1007]

@@ccrx6700 You taught me an important lesson with your comment about something I should have known a long time ago. Now I read it from a trainmaster and a railroad expert. Your knowledge is impeccably professional and should be considered as "all-American." I rode the New York City Subway lines during its impoverished days as New York City Transit Authority when I was a child and a railroad buff. In fact, the subway has been my favorite place. I have not been on the rapid transit system for as long as 22 years due to bad health matters. Happy Railroading!

[@robertf3479]

195 ties on that trailer, you guys can go through that in no time. You're right about that truck driver, this youngster is good. My son drives tractor trailer too though his beast is a reefer (frozen meat.) He can put that 53ft trailer in places I couldn't have put that 5-ton truck I drove as a military courier (a box truck just a little shorter than your boom truck) and make it look easy, so my hat is off to these guys. I know I've commented on Lucky before in another video, but I still like to note skill when I see it.

[@ccrx6700]

Appreciate the nice comment Robert. The truck driver is Larry, he one of the best we've ever had come in here, been doing it all his life. He's delivered ties in places you wouldn't drive your pick up. Got into some scary stuff too doing it. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@TriGogglin]

Bet that new creosote smelled amazing.. they definitely gotvtheir work cut out gorgeous them. Looking good Dave, great post

[@ccrx6700]

The wonderful aroma for a railroader is fresh creosote on a hot summer day.... :-) Real railroaders put a dash of creosote in their morning coffee, makes the central nervous system wake up.... LOL Always a pleasure my friend to have you visit with us and write in.

[@Hyrev1]

I'd say you have the most well maintained non-mainline rail in the Nation, Dave! Glad to see the company investing in its infrastructure. Great video! 🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃💯👍🇺🇸

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the kind words Jim, we try. We do have a very robust tie replacement program here for the past 20 years. No more derailments from wide gauge like we used to have a long time ago! Really glad you could take the time to visit with us and check out the tie show. Glad you enjoyed my friend.

[@rebelrailroader]

Dave, thanks for a wonderful video. Man I wish new ties cost $80 back in the early 2000's. I think new ties for us was about $100 and they came in a bundle of 20. We got them second hand all the time. I dont know for how much. I know UP gave us all we could have from a huge tie pile one year. We just had to haul them ourselves. We spent a couple weeks hauling ties with our 35 ft gooseneck.

[@ccrx6700]

Appreciate the very nice comment Zach. Glad you enjoyed. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@bobblenuts]

Thanks Dave, you make the more basic, simple or routine jobs just as interesting as the big jobs with your detailed explanations. 👍 Love your videos!

[@ccrx6700]

Wow bobblenuts, what a very kind thing to say. Thank You. That just made my day! Really glad you could take the time to visit with us and check out the tie show. Glad you enjoyed my friend.

[@sandymj3w633]

Love the smell of creosote 🙂

[@opieshomeshop]

LOL. I was going to say that, but I got the God Father line instead.

[@ccrx6700]

Dab of creosote on those burgers and onions would be yummy there Number 8..... :-)

[@ccrx6700]

Specially on a really hot day with freshly creosoted ties Sandy. A railroader's dream aroma.... :-) Very nice to have you pay us a visit tonight and write in my friend.

[@opieshomeshop]

@@ccrx6700 LOL!!!

[@nailedt0thecr0ss]

That rail truck is awesome.

[@ccrx6700]

You are right, it certainly is K_pigeon. Every man needs a truck like this in his drive way.... :-) Really appreciate your taking the time to watch and may you have a very good day my friend.

[@hughgautier3894]

Dave that was interesting and informative to those of us who do not have a railroad nearby. We did at one point have a spur line that came down through Eglin AFB, NW FL that came onto the facility, but that was removed 30+ years ago. We never saw any train come in on that spur nor did they store any cars on that spur. Trucking was cheaper and faster than an occasional train. Oh, and FYI, I've lived here since 1954 when I was 9.

[@ccrx6700]

I was born in 1954 Hugh. You are right, trucking was hard on the RR business and still is. Thank you so much for sharing that with us and for watching the video my friend.

[@richardaustin2640]

No doubt about it Dave, there's always something happening on the railroad! Looks like a lot of work coming but I'm sure the team will make it happen 🙂 Thanks for another interesting insight.

[@ccrx6700]

Appreciate the very nice comment Richard. Glad you enjoyed. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@wilburroth5150]

Good to see a man that loves his job! Nice video Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

Appreciate the very nice comment Wilbur. Glad you enjoyed. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@valeriebassett3107]

Great video Dave. It was very interesting. It's always good to see your smile. Have a great weekend.

[@ccrx6700]

Appreciate the very nice comment Valerie. Glad you enjoyed. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@wolvesone]

Your joy and laugh are infectious and everytime I see you i think of my old ham radio elmer (elmer is like a mentor to new ham radio ops) he looked alot like you and had the same joy for life but sadly after a health issue he changed and became a bitter old man dont ever become that my friend and be safe on the rails

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the very kind words wolvesone. A sickness can cause a chemical imbalance with resulting change in personality, had a good friend who was the same way, happy go lucky and then the complete opposite, it was due to a brain tumor, very sad indeed. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@wolvesone]

@@ccrx6700 in my elmer's case he suffered a quintuple bypass after a massive heart attack and you have a good one as well and be safe :)

[@ccrx6700]

@@wolvesone 👍😊

[@rickcooper6817]

Glad you gave the cost of the new ties Dave. Used ties here in N.C. range from $10-$20 bucks each now depending on the condition. Thanks for the video Mr. Dave, have a great day and stay safe.

[@ccrx6700]

Those you are speaking of Rick may be industrial grade ties, they are a much cheaper tie and often softwoods and may be treated with a chromated arsenical instead of creosote. Appreciate your stopping by and watching the tie show my friend.

[@raymondsprengelmeyer1278]

Thank you for another great video Dave, there sure is a lot to the railroading game! You really do a great job of bringing the railroad to us!

[@ccrx6700]

Appreciate the very nice comment Raymond. Glad you enjoyed. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@brianhickey5949]

This reinforces the idea that track maintenance is a never-ending process. Next the tie gang will come along and remove spikes and plates, pop out the old tie, and slide in the new, and then plates and spikes :) That's railroadin'! I think you folks are on par or above commercial RRs maintenance and you do it with less automation and a great deal of expertise :)

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the kind words Brian. We have a robust tie replacement program here and have done so for the past 20 years. We used to have too many derailments from wide gauge, no more thank goodness! Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and write in my friend.

[@TheyCallHimDietSeth]

Another fascinating video, Dave. Thank you for sharing. I always love watching truck operators doing their thing. You mentioned at the beginning of the video that it was a tight space but he shouldn't have any problem since he's a truck driver! It always impresses me how much they can do. Same goes for the crane operator! And watching you work your various pieces of equipment on or near the track. It's fascinating to learn more about the black bananas, too! That incisor is an impressive and somewhat terrifying piece of equipment, but interesting to know what that does. And I bet the rest of that factory is a pretty fascinating place! Thanks so much for taking us along with the detailed explanations!

[@ccrx6700]

The truck driver is Larry, he has been hauling ties in to us for over 20 years, has 9 kids, a really great guy. he could put that tractor trailer in places you and I couldn't put a pick up truck. LOL The tie plant was just awesome, sure wish they would have allowed me to video the process, but oh well, had to respect Rick's wishes. No one unless you work at a tie plant knew anything about an incisor, it looks like something out of a Freddy Krueger movie! Really appreciate your nice comment my friend.

[@johnnycee5179]

The pointed side of those plates is extremely sharp, so are the corners. I have used those plates in various sizes building roof and floor trusses, cut my fingers many times, even sliced part of my leg open on one while running the truss to the press on rollers. They are a bear to pull off too as there are barbs on part that is pressed into wood, or black banana's in this case.

[@ccrx6700]

You are absolutely correct in that Johnny, they are very sharp and do have barbs on the other side of the plate, wish I had pointed that out in the video, didn't think about it until you wrote in. Why didn't you write in before I made the video with that? >>>> LOL Thanks so much my friend for dropping by and watching tonight.

[@johnnycee5179]

@@ccrx6700 I'm not as fast as I use to be.

[@alro2434]

Gang nails.

[@mikemissel7785]

Nice seeing upkeep on the railroad Dave and that means a lot of work for the track crew.

[@ccrx6700]

Yes it is Mike, we have a robust tie replacement program here and have had for the past 20 years. No more derailments from wide gauge like we used to have way back. Really glad you could take the time to visit with us and check out the tie show my friend.

[@peterfong2241]

Blessed love to all, Great video as usual bro watching from Jamaica west Indies !!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the very kind comment Peter. Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and write in my Jamaican friend.

[@bradolsen8629]

You are a very joyful person there needs to be more people like you in the world

[@ccrx6700]

Appreciate the very nice comment Brad. That was very thoughtful of you to say that. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@dennismcgough9476]

Another excellent video, Dave! Your experience and expertise make your videos very educational. Thank you!

[@ccrx6700]

Wow Dennis, what a very kind thing to say. I'm blushing..... Thank you for taking the time to visit with us and check out the tie show my friend.

[@jonwatt678]

I would love to get to western PA and have a chance to meet you in person & get what ever kind of a tour of the facility that is allowable.. I think you have taught us so much about the "behind the scenes" operations of a mine and the RR operations.. Thank you Dave for all you do.. Stay safe out there!!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the very nice comment Jon. That was very thoughtful of you to say that. Hope to someday also get to meet you. Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and write in my friend.

[@vrmntthb]

Believing Frontier is working the old Pan Am lines that CSX just acquired recently in Mass and possibly NH to Maine also… a lot of upkeep needed on those from the videos and banter seen online…

[@ccrx6700]

They could be Todd, they had a huge job in Mass for G&W, but i haven't talked to anyone from Frontier for quite some time, so they could be up there on Pan Am. I wanted to buy PA when they were for sell a couple of years ago! Of course I would have had to hit the mega million lottery to do it....LOL Thanks so much my friend for visiting with us and writing in tonight.

[@SweetSunrising]

🎉❤Dave your channel detonates anything the Discovery or History Channel produces right out of the water! MoW Reality TV!

[@ccrx6700]

Sweet Skye. Maybe then I better start charging a membership fee to watch them? LOL Thank you for the very kind words. Being humble now, I'm just showing what we do out here on a daily basis to keep trains running. So glad you are enjoying. We certainly appreciate your watching my friend.

[@haroldishoy2113]

Dave, I know there was a reason you posted this video; that is one pretty and shiny red Peterbuilt tractor. I am just a bit massively jealous. Who doesn’t love shiny red tractors?

[@ccrx6700]

It sure is a nice truck Harold. That guy delivers a good many of our ties and have done so for years. He's had that same truck for a lot of years and they keep it nice and in good running order. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@wtfbuddy1]

Nice video Dave, a lot of work goes into getting ready for the tie gang that is not seen, nice truck and good to see they are doing good with lots of work. Cheers and stay safe

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Pete, got a couple more videos in this mini series on The Working Life of a RR Tie. Hope to see you on the next ones. Always enjoy hearing from you my friend. Appreciate your watching tonight.

[@jayhopkins6990]

Nice to see another Canadian enjoying this good Good Natured railroad show. Take care.

[@wtfbuddy1]

@@jayhopkins6990 No trains in the Ottawa Valley anymore, so Dave's content is nice to watch.

[@jayhopkins6990]

@@wtfbuddy1 My sister lives in Ottawa I have taken a Via to Ottawa but your comment stands true.She lives on Avondale . 416 to the Carling cutoff . I live in the Niagara Region better known as the Banana Belt to my sister .☺

[@lewistodd9242]

Thanks for another great video Dave. Have a great day.

[@ccrx6700]

Your always welcome Lewis, my pleasure to share. Thanks so much for taking the time to check out the tie show and write in my friend.

[@tomedgar4375]

Love the info Dave, another great video,appreciate your time to put this together

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Tom for the very nice comment. Really glad you could take the time to visit with us and check out the tie show. Glad you enjoyed my friend.

[@davidbass7593]

Skilled operation with those ties great video Dave

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the nice comment David. Always a good day when we get new ties and and get to spread them out along the track. Tie gang comes in next and new ties are always a good thing for the railroad. Appreciate very much your taking the time to visit and check out the black bananas video my friend.

[@Jeremy-de2of]

I’m about 10 min from there that’s cool from the tie plant n have friend that works there

[@ccrx6700]

Awesome Jeremy. That is one cool place, wish I could have taped it. I may have met your friend when I was there, ask him if he remembers me and the wife going around with Rick last June. Rick is a good man and seems to treat his employees pretty good. Thank you so much for writing in and for watching my friend.

[@johnathanlewis2049]

Hi Dave! Happy Friday my friend!! Haha! I love the humor you show in your videos! It’s great stuff. Seeing how the ties are delivered and that process is very interesting. Love your channel and your videos!! Have a great weekend!!

[@ccrx6700]

Appreciate the very nice comment Johnathan. Glad you enjoyed. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@briankemp5206]

Thanks Dave for sharing a great video.

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Brian, really glad you could take the time to visit with us and check out the tie show. Glad you enjoyed my friend.

[@billyvalentine1836]

Dave, I worked for NYCT for 26 years, unloaded and installed many, by the looks of it you got a load of oak. One thing you don't want is to get creosote on your skin, leaves a hell of a rash!!

[@ccrx6700]

Cool Billy, you probably got many ties from Appalachian Timber then. Did you happen to know Thomas Sellars, engineer on the 7 Line? My dad worked for local utility company and climbed many a creosoted pole, they always carried a creosote burn kit with them. it is nasty stuff. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@johnsmart964]

Thank you very much for this very interesting and informative video presentation which is very much appreciated. The ties look very well creosoted and should last a very long time. Where I live creosote is now not allowed but many ties are concrete except where the railroad goes over certain bridges and they need something lighter, in this case plastic is used.

[@ccrx6700]

Your always welcome John and we always appreciate your very nice comments. This is the 1st part in a 4 part mini series on ties. The 4th video will be about concrete ties. The plastic ties are called composite ties, they are made out of recycled plastics and very hard. They will last a very long time in mud spots and they require pre drilling before driving a spike in them. We do not have concrete, composite or steel ties here. Thank you for stopping by and checking out the video my friend.

[@BeeLineEast]

Cool video Dave. Lol i never heard them called that before. I remember well unloading them as a locomotive crane helper unloading them out of R.R. gondolas. Not a pleasant job. Some of the gondolas were humped and the bands broke so we had to use a cable and get as many in a lift as we could. They were used at the old Bethlehem Frog and Switch for their panel turnouts.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Michael, not a whole lot of folks probably never heard them called that either. Rather a bit of an obscure term, but "colorful" in deed. A small gondola can hold 400 ties, a large gondola can hold 600, so that's a lot of ties. Sent you a reply on another video, we planning on coming out to see you in July. Thanks so much for watching tonight my friend.

[@BeeLineEast]

@@ccrx6700 Cool Dave let me know the days you are coming out so i can get that tour together.

[@christopherleenknecht920]

Thanks for the video Dave 👍 🚂

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Christopher, really glad you could take the time to visit with us and check out the tie show. Glad you enjoyed my friend.

[@logdog8920]

Hi Dave, As long as you stated the cost of your treated finished delivered RR Ties, I will try to do a bit of back pedaling to see what makes up the actual end user cost. When we deliver a log truck load of rough cut tie grade logs to an Amish sawmill, they pay from 2500$ to 3000$ for the load. There can be from about 80 to 100 logs that probably will make a sellable RR Tie. so that translates to about $30 per log. Of this, our cost involves paying the land owner for the logs, cutting, skidding and processing the trees in to logs, and trucking them about 60 to 70 miles to the nearest sawmills. The Amish tell me that they get paid about $40 per green sawed tie delivered to the Tie plant. So that means it costs about $40 to grade process and treat the finished tie.

[@ccrx6700]

Awesome information Log Dog, thanks for taking the time to share that. 40 sounds about right at the plant we get our creosoted ones from for the green ties. Doesn't sound like much of a profit margin for the logger tho! Pretty good 10 bucks for sawing one tie tho. I just got a grapple truck in yesterday at home full of tree limbs and tops for my 2024 winter, it was a full big load so got quite a stack of firewood to cut up. 800 for that grapple truck load and delivery.

[@326dad]

Looks like business as usual, Dave. Keep'm on the rails !

[@ccrx6700]

Yes sir Kurt, we have a robust tie replacement program here, and have had for the past 20 years. No derailments due to wide gauge anymore. Thanks so much my friend for visiting with us and checking out the tie show.

[@4everdc302]

Making ties is like making sausages. Most don't need to know how it's done. World's a little soft for the real world stuff🚫📸. Always look forward, Dave📹👷‍♂️🚂🇨🇦🇺🇲🙋

[@ccrx6700]

It is a pretty interesting process to see how they creosote the ties Doug, wish I could have shown that. Tie plant is a cool place to visit. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@raylz19]

Thank you Dave, very informative.

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Raylz, really glad you could take the time to visit with us and check out the tie show. Glad you enjoyed my friend.

[@georgew.5639]

I’d call them licorice sticks. 🚂

[@elevatortoiletandtransitfa9258]

Lol😂

[@ccrx6700]

Interesting names so of our RR stuff has George. One tool we use to nip up ties is called a lollipop. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@daviddauphin838]

I remember new ties costing $12 each. Long ago and far way.

[@ccrx6700]

I'd say that was long time ago David, but I remember gas costing 30 cents a gallon back in the 1960's! My how far we have come. But when I started working in 1972 was making $1.00 an hour too. Glad you could stop by and check out the video tonight my friend.

[@michaelball760]

They were around $36 per tie 18 years ago when i started. I think the last load we got in was $106 per tie.

[@russelltrupia4479]

Great video Dave you always have such interesting info.👍👍

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Russell for the very nice comment. Really glad you could take the time to visit with us and check out the tie show. Glad you enjoyed my friend.

[@robertschultz6922]

We got a load every year of the new ties up at the shop for the Virginia and Truckee railroad. The old ones were so rotten that all could do was cut them up and put them in the trash container

[@ccrx6700]

Nothing better for the RR to hold gauge than a good 7 by 9 tie Robert! Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@ianhughes7805]

Another great video Dave thank you Sir

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Ian. Really glad you could take the time to visit with us and check out the tie show. Glad you enjoyed my friend.

[@cedarcam]

LOL I never heard of black bananas before. Enjoyed watching lucky working the grab. Someone said I bet he could pick an egg up with that, well here we had a TV show You Bet where people bet or rather guessed if something could be done and one was picking up eggs. Can't remember if he managed now though but for sure he had done it in practice so it is possible.

[@ccrx6700]

It is a bit of an old obscure term cedarcam, they used it on the old Santa Fe RR. Lucky is pretty good, but I'd have to bet for him when picking up an egg, the guy in the last part of the video was Richard and he's even better than Lucky. Really glad you could take the time to visit with us and check out the tie show. Glad you enjoyed my friend.

[@cedarcam]

@@ccrx6700 Great the old railroad name has stuck with you. I like that kind of a tribute to them.

[@garykuipers2696]

Haven't heard the term black bananas in a long time. Normally when we had a major tie replacement project we had a tie train with gons loaded with the tie bundles. There is a device called a jimbo which creeps along the tops of the gons lifting the bundles out of the gons and placing them along side the row for placement. You keep your rail operation in tip top shape.

[@ccrx6700]

Interesting Gary, have never heard of a jimbo before. Ray Corman got his start by being able to get his back hoe up in a low gondola and unload ties out of it, and then load ties back in. There's a really good video on his life story on YT if you haven't watched it, called Working hard to be lucky, the RJ Corman story. You will love it. We have a very robust tie replacement program here and have done so for the past 20 years. No more derailments due to wide gauge like we used to have! Always a pleasure to have you visit with us my friend.

[@Jeremy-de2of]

There used to b a tie plant n spencer wv but they closed bout 10 years ago

[@ccrx6700]

There is a big tie plant that can be serviced by rail at Beverly. We went past it on our way to Cass RR last summer, I wanted to stop, but it was closed. They and Appalachian Timber are now in cohoots with each other

[@bradolsen8629]

I live in Minnesota, some of the railroad companies like Burlington northern Santa Fe are using concrete ties

[@ccrx6700]

This is the first video in a 4 part mini series on ties, the 4th video in this series we will go over concrete ties Brad, so hope to see you on the next 3 presentations. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@roberthillyer2888]

Try KOPPERS out of muncy, Pa. I sold them ties for years.

[@ccrx6700]

We got several loads from Koppers bout 7 years ago Robert. They are much further and the shipping is a whole lot more. Koppers is a big company, they are all over. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@jasonoliver5388]

That load of ties means work for you Dave.

[@ccrx6700]

I'm ready for it Jason! Bring it on. Only thing better for the track than new ties is cribbing ties out. And we do a whole lot of both. Thanks so much my friend for paying us a visit tonight. Always a pleasure to hear from you.

[@jasonoliver5388]

@@ccrx6700 Dave I got to say you have a really good looking railroad you keep in top of everything.

[@ccrx6700]

@@jasonoliver5388 😊👍

[@terrywitt5543]

Dave I’m always so impressed by your grapple crane operator s how did they do it in the olden days

[@thomasboese3793]

Easy question to answer... Hit the library and read the book, Nothing Like It In The World by Stephen E Ambrose. Significant research, well, yes, he was hit with plagiarizing parts of the book, but complex research was done. This will show you how the Union Pacific and Central Pacific took the raw land, graded it, dropped ties, added rail, and tied the nation together. The hard way, just by pure hard labor. The first transcontinental railroad in the world is still owned and operated by the builder, Union Pacific. The CP was, like many other great railroads merged into the UP.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Terry for the kind words, these guys are pretty good for sure, but hey, only the best for us... :-) On days of old, everything was done by hand, not a fun job. We do like grapple trucks! Thanks so much my friend for visiting with us and checking out the tie show.

[@garymessina1609]

Things you have to too run a rail road ties, rails,plates and spikes great video thanks Dave did you know that ties are also made of concrete and or composite

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Gary, sure is a lot of parts to the track to hold it all together, not like my old Lionel set....:-) 4th video in this mini series we will go over the differences between concrete and wood ties, but I am not going to do a video on composite or steel ties for now. Great to have you visit with us tonight and write in my friend.

[@josephd514]

Yes they are here in Massachusetts they’re in Medford extending the green line subway system as well as our MBTA/Amtrak lines.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for that info Joseph. I haven't seen any of those guys for quite some time now. Was wondering. Appreciate your visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@bigun447]

We had at least one tie-making plant in the lower part of the state. It turned into a Super Fund site due to years of creosote spilled, dumped, and soaking into the area. Quite a mess.

[@ccrx6700]

I hear that, were we get our ties, they are very careful about not spilling creosote, most of the yard is concrete and the new ties are all under roof. Environmental fines can ruin a small business. Thanks so much my friend for visiting with us and checking out the tie show.

[@P61guy61]

Thank you for posting!

[@ccrx6700]

You're always welcome William, my pleasure to share with you. Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and write in my friend.

[@lawrietaber657]

Awesome vid thanks Dave

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Lawrie, glad you enjoyed. We do appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and help spread some black bananas my friend.

[@cranstonwilliamsworth9644]

Thank you for sharing!

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Cranston, really glad you could take the time to visit with us and check out the tie show. Glad you enjoyed my friend.

[@RFMCabooseNP1713]

Cool operation.

[@ccrx6700]

Appreciate the very nice comment Robert. Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out the video on black bananas my friend.

[@sgrizzz]

great video dave

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you sgrizz for the kind words. Was a pleasure to have you visit with us and write in my friend. Glad you enjoyed.

[@jayhopkins6990]

SECOND. You rock Dave you, Blackforest hamhocke .That's a good thing in Canada 🍁 have a good night.CCRX6700 fans.

[@ccrx6700]

Well Jay, being second, you may pick any teddy bear from the middle shelf, your competition, Banjoliope got the teddy bear from the top shelf..... LOL LOL Always is a pleasure to have you visit with us my friend. Thank You.

[@jayhopkins6990]

@@ccrx6700 Every video you put out I enjoy thanks

[@ccrx6700]

@@jayhopkins6990 😊👍

[@Santafefrank]

Thanks Dave

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Frank. Thank you for stopping by and checking out the video my friend.

[@rodgerhatfield3068]

Cheers Dave! Have a great spring!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Rodger, and may you also. Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and write in my friend.

[@SantaFe19484]

Awesome video!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the nice comment SantaFe, glad to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and write in my friend.

[@terryboyer1342]

Thanks Dave! I've long wondered what the plates on the ends were for.

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Terry, really glad you could take the time to visit with us and check out the tie show. Nice to hear you enjoyed my friend.

[@wmrg1057]

You really tied one on in this one

[@ccrx6700]

Your right about that B GE.... LOL I was all "tied" up.... Appreciate very much your taking the time to check out the video and may you have a very good day my friend.

[@mikelockhart1827]

Dave you had another really good video this evening I really enjoyed it . Dave I have a question for you would the old railroad ties do any damage to the rail ?

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Mike, glad you enjoyed. Answer to your question depends on the number of bad ties in close proximity to each other. If too many bad ties are close, then you take the chance on losing track gauge with a resulting derailment. Appreciate your paying us a visit and checking out the video my friend.

[@fireballxl-5748]

Black bananas .... okay ... that's an interesting nickname. They are not rotten, not soft, not curved, last a long time and you can't eat them, but you can get them in bunches so I guess that's it. Thanks Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

I have no idea why they used to be called that Fireball, it's an old rather obscure term, but colorful. Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and write in my friend.

[@dorothycole8611]

Another good video!

[@ccrx6700]

Really glad you could take the time to visit with us and check out the tie show. Glad you enjoyed.

[@flyerbob124]

They also make ties in Goshen, Virginia.

[@ccrx6700]

I wonder if that's a Koppers' plant there Flyerbob 1? I did not know a tie plant was there, thanks for sharing that. Really appreciate your taking the time to check out the video and may you have a very good day my friend.

[@Eddy63]

Another interesting vid my friend 👍🚝 thx ...

[@ccrx6700]

Very glad to hear you enjoyed Eddy. Always is a pleasure to have you visit with us and hear from you my friend.

[@derrickanderson4932]

Cool stuff Great Video.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Derrick for the nice comment. Always is a pleasure to have you visit with us and write in my friend. Glad you enjoyed.

[@johncloar1692]

Dave When I saw the ties on the truck I tought to my self how much do they cost.. Then you answer the question before I ask. Thanks Dave for the video. There is a tie plant not far from where I live I may go and try to visit it soon. Thank Dave video.

[@ccrx6700]

Appreciate the very nice comment John. Glad you enjoyed. Tie plants are pretty interesting. If you go, be sure to try and see how they dap bridge timbers. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@artillerest43rdva7]

when the spikes are driven into the ties that are replaced , what do you use as a reference knowing when the ties are centered under the rails? do they come like the bridge ones with a tie plate resting area cut out on the ties? great video, that sure is a good number of ties! so if they are a foot apart, and ~10-in thick ~4640 ties per mile $ 211,200 just for the ties! trains are very expensive to run, but most efficent to move goods.

[@royreynolds108]

Most mainline tie spacing is 19.5 inches CtoC which works out to 3250 per mile. Mainline ties are 7" X 9" X 9'. Bridge ties are usually 8" X 8" X 10' space 12" on center unless the beck is ballasted, then the ties are regular track ties. Concrete ties are usually spaced a little more CtoC but depend on the railroad because they are wider than wood ties. The last time I had anything to do with pricing ties was in the 1980s and they were about $20 each delivered.

[@ccrx6700]

Usually when a tie is replaced, it just goes back in the same hole the old one came out of Barry. On new construction ties are centered at 19.5 inches. Got a lot more info on ties coming out, this is the first video in a 4 part mini series on ties. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@northdetroit7994]

When I was bending nails, we referred to those end plates as nail plates.

[@ccrx6700]

That may be what these are called North Detroit, I'll have to find out. Thanks so much my friend for visiting with us and checking out the tie show.

[@rdththth]

A treatment plant would send an inspector to the sawmill before each order was shipped. This sawmill was near where I lived. After cutting, the ties were trucked a short distance to a storage lot, where they were stacked and allowed to air dry for several months. The sawmill, the storage lot, and the trucking company lot, were all less than a mile from each other. At the sawmill the ties were cut to correct size in height and width, but were cut a few inches too long. They would be cut to specified length later at the treatment plant. The inspector would visit the storage lot, and choose which ties passed inspection and were ready to ship. The inspector had a special hammer with embossed heads. There was an intricate special symbol on one head, and the word FAIL on the other head. Only ties bearing the pass symbol were to be trucked from the storage lot to the treatment plant. The owner of the sawmill would reserve and pay for a hotel room for the inspector to stay overnight. After a long day of inspecting, the sawmill owner and the inspector would get passed out drunk. At that point, an employee of the sawmill would carry the passed out inspector to the inspector's vehicle, drive him to the hotel, and put him to bed. He would then "borrow" the inspector's hammer. The owner of the trucking company would give that guy a ride back to the storage lot. An empty flatbed trailer would already be staged there. Ties bearing a FAIL mark would be loaded and the owner of the trucking company would strap them down. A trucker would arrive and drop another empty flatbed. The trucker would hook to the strapped load and drive it to the sawmill. He would drop that loaded trailer, bobtail back to his company lot, hook another empty flatbed, and take it back to the storage lot. This was repeated until all the ties bearing a FAIL mark were relocated to the sawmill. The ties were unloaded at the sawmill, and a tiny amount was cut off the end, removing the FAIL mark. The inspector's hammer was then used to apply the pass symbol, and the ties were loaded back onto the trailers. After all the FAIL ties had been "passed", the inspector's hammer was returned to his vehicle back at the hotel before he woke up. The loads of newly passed ties were then hauled overnight from the sawmill to the trucking company lot. After the inspector left town, the loads were moved back to the storage lot. Those ties were unloaded and stacked in their own area. Those ties were then slowly blended into loads to transport to the treatment plant. After all the remaining questionable ties were gone from the storage lot, the inspector would be summoned back for another round of inspections. This all happened decades ago, and AFAIK, everyone involved is now deceased.

[@ccrx6700]

Appreciate your sharing that story with us 3rd, 5th7th8th. I have no doubt that happened, very interesting story. Inspectors here for construction jobs often found bottles or cases of whiskey in their offices or vehicles. Thank You for taking the time to visit with us and check out the video my friend.

[@jasonbabila6006]

Only if you had a connection with a Class-1 railroad, ordering ties by the car of 300 to 500 per car would have been much easier, I think I've dealt with 100,000 ties over three years for two tie gangs on two territories.

[@ccrx6700]

Appalachian Timber where we get our ties does not have a RR connection. They are in the middle of nowhere. this is the first of a 4 part mini series on ties, you'll like the last one on the differences between concrete and wood, I use a reference from Michael Franke former VP of BNSF MOW. Always a pleasure to have you visit with us and hear from you my friend.

[@michaelmcdougall4527]

Hey thanks man great stuff

[@ccrx6700]

Your very welcome Michael. Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and write in my friend. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@paulbergen9114]

In some respects it's getting harder to find good quality wood to be used for ties. They try to balance consmption of older growth versus new plantings and there is a tie treating plant in Bangor WI that gets wood from Kentucky and Tennessee. The good part about wood is if you have a small derailment on top of one and it didn't dig too deeply you can salvage it. Once a concrete one breaks that's it. 20 years ago some company in Kansas city was going to try plastic ties apparently didn't go too well as you don't see them in use or hear them advertising. Here's to installing ties which are the backbone of it all.

[@ccrx6700]

Your totally right Paul about the derailment. I will go over that in part 4 of this mini series on ties. That video is about why some RR;s use concrete and some use wood. I think you'll like finding out all the pros and cons of each in that video. Appreciate your visiting with us as always my friend. The composite ties are pretty darn expensive, but great for mud holes.

[@OldGuy70s]

Full Blown Summer Where ur At....... Barely Starting Here..........

[@thomasboese3793]

Time Travel is real, via videos...

[@ccrx6700]

Well it was when that video was made June 2022. Next video out will have the completion of this video, and then the second part of that one was made last week. Quite a contrast in weather.

[@shirleyharrington-moore9657]

How far will that load of ties reach down a track? I'm so glad they won't have to be laid by hand. Stay safe, Dave. Love the videos.

[@thomasboese3793]

Depends on the spacing. current standards for main lines are 19", center-to-center, with 24' center-to-center on light duty track. So, at 19", and 197 ties per truck you get: 19" * 197 = 3743"/12" = 311' 11" section of track.

[@ccrx6700]

We only replace the ties that are bad or going bad Shirley, so a load of ties may stretch out for some ways. In new construction, 195 ties would stretch out for about 350 feet. Thanks so much my friend for visiting with us and checking out the tie show.

[@gerlandkent6377]

The, rail road use to give me the old rail road ties when they took up the old ones out from under the track. but now the rail road splits them in half.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Gerland for sharing that and for taking the time to watch. Come on over and we'll give you some full size ones. Happy rails to you until we meet again my friend.

[@PlanetMojo]

That Incisor looks like a medieval torture device! The BNSF railroad by us has like 60 miles worth of black bananas on the side of the track waiting to be installed. I'm guessing that's going to take awhile! Question: Back when I was a kid, they had an 'S' shaped steel thing driven into the ends of the ties. When did they switch to the tie plates?

[@ccrx6700]

You got that right! I was thinking to my self the same thing when we toured the tie plant! Guess I'd better come up there and help BNSF out on the ties then.....LOL next video out will show you one of those S clips in a tie. I do not know when they changed over to the plates on the tie ends. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@Crouse_Property_Maintenance]

Are you going to the steam show in Brownsville this month?

[@ccrx6700]

No Andrew, I work every weekend, I have a weekend schedule. It's been over 20 years since I've been to the show there. I do miss it tho, a very nice place to visit. Thanks so much for visiting with us and writing in my friend.

[@ferstuck37]

Dave. A couple of questions! Treated lumber is put in tanks that they can pull a vacuum on this pulls treatment into the wood, do they use this for ties? Also how cost effective is it to lay concrete ties down.😊

[@ccrx6700]

The creosoting process is very similar ferstuck, untreated timbers are put on small rail cars and taken into a tank that looks like a huge propane tank, then pressure treated with hot creosote. This was the sfirst video in a 4 part mini series on ties. The 4th video will show you the differences between concrete and wood ties and tell you the reasons why some railroads use wood and some use concrete. That video will be shown in about a week from now. Hope to see you then and thanks so much for stopping by and checking out the video on spreading black bananas my friend.