Chasing the Hi-Rail Van

Video from August 2017
A strange hi-rail van came by, and we decided to follow it.
For those who don't know, the hi-rail truck following it would be considered 'normal'. The only hi-rail trucks I've ever seen are that type, or a larger version. But never a van. This strange van also seemed to be dragging a small cart with some kind of measuring equipment consisting of lots of tiny wheels. They had to slow down to a crawl over the diamonds and switches while all the tiny wheels went over the flange gaps.
As it crossed the 3x2 diamond in DesPlains, heading towards Chicago, a few clanging sounds can be heard. The workers in the following truck stopped to tighten a few bolts on the diamond.
I didn't realize this, but less than 2 weeks later, Union Pacific worked for over 48 hours straight to completely replace that diamond. A time-lapse of this can be found on their official KZbin channel.
I'm not sure of the exact purpose of this truck, but it appears to be measuring the track. Maybe making sure it has the correct gauge, or maybe testing how bumpy it is. If that's the case, why not just send the geometry train? I could only find one other video of this truck on KZbin, and it was shot from very far away.

[@ferbfletcher5013]

That is one of the UP's newest ultrasound track inspection cars. They found an indication around the 2:00 mark of the video and were doing a handheld ultrasonic test to prove or disprove the indication. The trailing truck was probably a track inspector to report back any defects found so that they could be addressed as soon as possible.

[@MrBnsftrain]

First time I've seen a hi-rail Mercedes-Benz van! Many other parts of the railroad network use 1980s/1990s chevy, GMC, or Ford vans!

[@blackadder4590]

Im from The Netherlands, nice to see a popular European Mercedes Van on USA railtracks.

[@charonsferryold]

Now when will popular European trains be on american train tracks?

[@InfiniteGamingify]

Martinski Egtgeheim Love the Mercedes vans. Our Paramedics use them as ambulances here!

[@railtrolley]

@@InfiniteGamingify Most of the fleet of ambulances in Queensland, Australia are Mercedes Sprinters. In the Outback where extra traction is needed, Toyota Landcruisers are used.

[@spiralhillrailfan3768]

@@charonsferryold 1993

[@ironmatic1]

@@charonsferryold Stradler EMUs and DMUs, Amtrak Siemens locomotives

[@adammccafferty4336]

Detector car, absolutely one of the most valuable tools in the railroads toolbox. Go find them broken rails before they break boys...

[@trainviewer8886]

Wow! I really like your video!

[@ccaaproduction105]

Thank you for your sharing information.

[@gregjsinclair]

that looks like a great job

[@NOVARailandWeatherEnthusiast]

Hi rail van? Nah that’s just my railfan mobile!

[@onesadcomputer]

The van: why am i always stalked

[@ferky123]

They most likely sent the van because it's easier and cheaper to operate than the geometry train and they can do minor repairs of the track.

[@sc0tte1-416]

I'm guessing these guys have a switch in their dashboard that can turn the gates on and off since all it takes to activate them and make it 'think' there is a train there is basically completing a circuit from one side of the rails to the other...I know this from being a mischievous kid that loved electricity way back when lmao.

[@jayasmrmore3687]

Well I think the gates should close anytime there is a vehicle on the track not just a full train

[@lokhima9]

this is great

[@robertmoir-vj1kq]

what was going on ? I m not sure I understand

[@reginaldcopperbottom4208]

the van is a OP car

[@stanleybowman-hood6194]

I need this

[@bryan1957-y5o]

Where did you film this?

[@sferg9582]

I see it was along Northwest Highway in Arlington Heights, Illinois and continued on to Mount Prospect, Il

[@Dan-uv5lw]

Never seen one of those on the tracks.\

[@caprice572009]

So the UP does this on their own or do they use Sperry?

[@sferg9582]

At the 7:58 mark, it says "SPERRY" on the side of the van. Not sure if that means Sperry operates or owns the van.

[@alexandermathar7780]

Put in an AMG 45s engine and let it loose on the Acela track !!

[@MrBillCNW]

I think you need to put a Wind sock on your microphone. It picks up a lot of wind noise

[@longpier350]

He is sticking out a car window any mic would sound terrible

[@MrBillCNW]

@@longpier350 You missed the whole meaning of my comment I wasn’t complaining I was saying what is recommended to put a wind sock on it. you need to read before you make stupid comments like that duh.

[@longpier350]

@@MrBillCNW Jesus Christ calm down my man, what did I say to trigger you that badly. Chill

[@MrBillCNW]

@@longpier350 again you did not read the caption I guess you don’t understand English very well

[@longpier350]

@@MrBillCNW Caption? You mean comment, guess you don’t understand English very well

[@skiddlyd.244]

Foamers

[@TheMichaelWilcock2016Railways]

Close the car window! Your video camera will work through clear glass

[@longpier350]

Fair point

[@TheMichaelWilcock2016Railways]

3 years for a reply; that's a record?

[@longpier350]

@@TheMichaelWilcock2016Railways No, I’ve seen longer. But let’s just end this conversation

[@kdlehel]

mercedes vito ... :)

[@Tom-Lahaye]

No, it's a Sprinter van , the Vito is a smaller van by Mercedes, not sold in the US.

[@kdlehel]

yes right sorry later i realised.

[@tman5081]

It’s spelled hy* not hi lmao