Could you pass this Railroad welding test?

[@JackpineGandy]

Got my first certification after an 18 month apprenticeship, in about 1980. At that time most of our welding was oxy-acetylene on open-hearth steel...frogs and rail. The frogs were actually bits and pieces of open-hearth rail, cut and milled to fit together, with a few bits of cast iron blocking as needed to make the finished thing look like a frog. Old school. Very large torch tip used for heating, flushing and welding. Welding was done with 1/4" diameter Oxweld MR rod in 3 foot lengths. Flush out the flawed metal, cut the metal with a hot cut chisel and striker. (The striker was a guy with a 8 pound sledge, ambidextrous and striking the chisel or flatter as the welder needs) Welding was done with O-A tip, pretty large bore - do not recall the numbers now, but the inner blue cone of the flame was 3/4" long. Puddle could be as big as a half-dollar coin. As the metal is built up, it was periodically shaped with a 2# hammer. Excess metal periodically cut with hot-cut chisel and striker. Eventually the new metal is built up to surface or a bit above, then heated to an orange heat and again shaped with the 2# hammer to the desired shape...the excess metal trimmed with the hot-cut chisel and striker. Re-heat and finish surface with a flatter and striker, again trimming excess with chisel and striker. When done well, no grinding was needed. Of course, as my road got manganese alloy frogs, we got into stick and then flux core wire, using air-carbon arc to carve out the flawed metal and weld as you described. Also did considerable thermite welding. Finished on the road I started on, but it was bought by the CN and so I re-certified to CN standards, having been retired now fifteen years. My complete kit could be carried on a gasoline powered track department motor-car, in the oxy-acetylene days. When I retired I used a Class B diesel truck with hyrail gear and an incredible array of equipment and capabilities.

[@hundtmobilewelding]

That's crazy! Thanks for sharing all that. It doesn't seem like we have come far (just melting metal together) but to see the advancement in technology is amazing.

[@bwfvc7770]

I worked in the final stages of the Kaimai Rail Tunnel in NZ. 5 Miles long underground and watched and talked to the guys using Thermite to join the rails. Fascinating and after they finished, watching the sonic tests. Yes I would be interested in seeing the various different Frogs and their particular application. Watching the swirling pool.

[@Yuo23]

Yes I got state certification when I was 16 !! Thanks dad to my dad for pushing me to learn a trade . Now I build ships for the navy !!

[@weldermandan]

Are you in the Navy?

[@Yuo23]

@@weldermandan no

[@weldermandan]

@@Yuo23 How does one get into this part of the industry?

[@MrBamaga]

We’d weld these frogs under some of the heaviest trains in the world. Die test, arch air gouge, touch up grind to surface, weld with Eutectic 40 Elctrodes for the underlay, then Mantrack 1ns for the last over lay. Every Bead laid has to be quenched with Ice water then pinned to work harden. Weld bit at a time depending on the track time granted or planned by the Train control, or Dispatch as you say in the States. We’d also weld the High speed turnouts frogs on Mainline. Only wing rail repairs where significant Shelling and dipping has occurred. These are a Head hardened Type Rail ( Steel) We’d use an LN8 wire feeder with 8mm core flux wire, preheated the rail to 200 degrees Celsius, weld 100mm Beads at a time, cool under a heat blanket, grind then buff. All depends on the Engineering team of that particular network as this practice is sometimes frowned upon in the Heavy Haulage World 😂 Thanks for the video mate 👍🏾

[@big_ute]

I mess with .045 and .052 on mining equipment but 8mm?!?!? Thats HUGE

[@MrBamaga]

@@big_ute it’s all about replacing the material we remove in a certain time frame from the train controller. Bigger the electrode, more metal goes in.

[@0dbm]

A bench grinder wit a handle , that is some serious welding

[@royreynolds108]

First, congratulations on passing and being certified. Second, I graduated with a BSCE degree in 1969 and spent over 20 years in railroad track engineering in maintenance, construction, inspection, and design. I have done some thermite welds but never welded rail or frogs in track. I did weld two pieces of rail together to make a mailbox support. Third, frogs come in all sorts of sizes of rail, numbers(angles), and construction. Frogs are generally made from pieces of rails either bolted or riveted together, fixed or spring rail, manganese insert casting surrounded by rail, and a solid manganese casting which includes a flat-top or self-guarded. I have seen a bolted rigid self-guarded frog. Most frogs over No 20 are a swing rail design and do not need guard rails. These types of turnouts are for heavy, higher-speed main lines or high-speed tracks with rail sizes of 136 or 140 lb rail or the metric equivalent. The largest number turnout I know of is a No 32 on the Brightline track close to the Orlando International Airport in Florida which connects the airport with Miami with high-speed rail of 125 mph. This turnout is good for about 85 mph through the diverging side. Four, a frog is known and called by its number or the angle the flangeways make and by the rail size it is meant to be used with. The number is determined by measuring perpendicular to a line that bisects the frog from the nose to the heel and is measured by how many units are between where the spread of the frog gains one unit. That is if a spread of 2 inches is measured between the sides of the frog and marked and a spread of 3 inches is measured and marked and the distance between these marks is 8 inches then the frog is a No 8 or 7* 09' 10" angle(7 degrees 09 minutes 10 seconds). If the frog is a No 10 then the angle is 5* 43' 29"(5 degrees 43 minutes 29 seconds). Steel rail has been rolled in 8 lb per yard up through 155 lb per yard with crane rail sections of 105 lb through 175 lb per yard. Most railroad and transit tracks are built with 115 lb, 130 lb, 136 lb, and 140 lb rail of AREA section. Five, railroad frogs are almost universally straight on both sides while streetcar or tram track frogs are curved on the diverging side. Six, frogs are also used in the rail crossings of two tracks and are called out by the rail section of the heavier rail if there is a difference between the routes, the angle the two tracks make at the center lines of the routes, and the radius or curvature of either or both routes have at the crossing or intersection point. There are a total of 4 frogs in a crossing because the flanges of the wheels make 4 crossing paths.

[@chucksweet7533]

I was a Navy trained welder and worked for a time in a foundry, the foundry work was all air-arc and fill with dual-shield and everything had to be to X-ray and ultrasound specs, so I Know I could have welded and taken that test, back when the body was still working! Is a fun job, but welding is hard on the body and beware heavy metal in any form.

[@BigRevKev82]

Yes. I’m confident I could do this. However, massive responsibility with this job. Very skilled and respected. I’m a boilermaker of 17 years over here in Australia

[@ChristopherHallett]

Nobody on Earth welds better than Aussie boilermakers!

[@mmi16]

51 year retired railroader - many a day I watched welders working on welding back up traffic battered frogs, mostly on railroad crossings at grade more so than switch frogs. Hours spent in 100 degree days welding and grinding their work, also hours spent on Zero degree days doing the same.

[@terryjones1370]

This was a good video. Very well explained. I feel like I learned something important

[@hundtmobilewelding]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidjones5416]

I use to work for large AC machine makers from sheet steel they didn't let me weld the products but I was let loose heavy frames etc to test me I had to weld 5/8 plates at 90 deg and put on a anvil and smack it with a 18 lbs sledge hammer my weld did not break but the plates bent

[@marvtomson574]

I used to work for a company that manufactured switch rods for the railroad, as well as other components for them. I worked with them for about 15 years. Frogs however we did not manufacturer. But knew of them and still had to figure out which rods went with which frog number. It was definitely back breaking work in the beginning. With more experience I got, the higher up in the company I got. I was making nearly $23/hr by the time I left. Kind of wish I was still there. But health issues changed everything overnight. Had to leave for the clinic one morning, fell into a coma, and was transferred to a specialist hospital in 2 days, and hadn't looked back since. and sucks! But yeah, railroad jobs are good money. Always constantly busy.

[@hundtmobilewelding]

Sorry to hear about that. Glad you made it through! Railroading is great money but breaks the body down hard and fast.

[@paulmorissette5863]

I've read that railroad frogs are named after the similar looking structures in horse hoves. I don't know how they were named.

[@ypaulbrown]

Sounds like you are on the right 'Track'.....best regards Paulie

[@hundtmobilewelding]

😂

[@BrokenTWelder]

I had a friend that was a welder for the railroad in California. I've always been interested in doing that.

[@hundtmobilewelding]

It's what I went to school for and wish I could do it more often. It's simple flux core welding flat position. Kinda relaxing.

[@BrokenTWelder]

@@hundtmobilewelding it was 30 years ago or close there to when my buddy Juan worked for them. Juan was a wizard with a stinger in his hand. He would make some beautiful looking welds

[@jake9705]

Nice work!

[@hundtmobilewelding]

Thank you and thanks for watching.

[@dougupah8778]

I wasn't aware that there was a specific class for welding frogs, worked for a small RR some 45 years ago and was the welder on that RR so I was the guy had to build the frogs back up, did OK but didnt have any of the training that you get from that class, would have been nice. Switched to carpentry and never gave this another thought until I saw your vid, I'll never be in the position to weld a frog again but it was interesting to see how it evolved.

[@hundtmobilewelding]

Yeah it's awesome they have classes for every type of welding now days. You wouldn't think melting some metal together could happen so many different ways. 😂

[@cameronwirth8751]

Just started my RR weld training last week. Got about 100 days of OJT then start going back to class for welding tests and etc.

[@hundtmobilewelding]

Dang man. That sounds like some awesome training! Good luck and listen to them ol heads a lot of good info from them.

[@delamain611]

I've only ever welded with a lincoln Flux core but I'd be down to try this.

[@mikeborden9555]

Could you get a vid of a frog being built at somewhere like Progress Rail in Sherman Tx. There is a lot of work that goes into building a frog.

[@hundtmobilewelding]

I can try and squeeze my way in at an install maybe. As for being built? Shoot, I'd love to visit a facility that makes them and make a video some day.

[@toolsandbusch7483]

How do you feel about welding manganese without a respirator? When I was a roadmaster at UP all my welders were required to have fit tested masks, so a beard was out of the question.

[@hundtmobilewelding]

Those big welding hoods are PAPR hoods so they are respirators. No more need to shave and have a fit test.

[@haroldjames1815]

I.weld on manganese insert frogs , solid manganese self guarded frog, alloy switch points and rail ends and only a qualified track welder not a certified track welder. Should I be certified?

[@leandroparada2694]

Build some in Willcox, Az

[@hundtmobilewelding]

I couldn't even try. I'm built for winter weather as they say. 😂

[@richpitty]

I’m sure I could preform this weld fairly easily but it’s a cool vid. And good for you for passing good luck brother

[@nde-mt2yc]

The red dye is called Penetrant, you do Not let the penetrent dry it has to be wet the full 10 minutes, then you clean off the penetrant with a dry Lint Free Cloth after you have gotten as much of the red stuff off with the lint free rags you Spray Magnaflux Cleaner on another rag and remove all traces of the red dye, this drys for 5 minutes, then you spray the Developer ( white spray ) this stays on for 7 minutes, then you VT the weld looking for red bleed through for defects...

[@chrisallen2005]

I wonder what the question in the written exam asked about the penetrant?

[@nde-mt2yc]

Most likely a standard ASNT question, I loved doing MT, PT, RT, VT Inspections. I never did like UT...@@chrisallen2005

[@sackvilleweldingservices]

That is a very interesting video young man!

[@hundtmobilewelding]

Thank you , just trying to get some info out to the people.

[@danielrodriguez388]

we’re can i find that course i’m very interested

[@hundtmobilewelding]

This course was taken through Johnson county community college in overland Park, KS

[@face.-]

I could pass this test very easy. I have taken and given many V-grove test plates exactly like yours. I have also done lots of CAC. When I had the awsome job of training new hires. 😂😂 this would be a breeze for me..but I know for others it's a nightmare.

[@hundtmobilewelding]

Pretty standard testing requirements. The thermite welding on the other hand wasn't the easiest

[@face.-]

@@hundtmobilewelding never done any of that.

[@1977np]

Too many "I" in your comment. The emphasis may well indicate you haven't welded an ordinary fab. Just saying.

[@face.-]

@@1977np u don't know much about welding processes. just sayn. It's one of the easiest test given the field

[@brandonendler2764]

@face ‘CRINGE’

[@big_ute]

Looks like a pretty standard 1g test but its 1" and different wire. With some practice im sure I could get it...except I suck at written exams.

[@hundtmobilewelding]

Same, written is always the worst for me as well

[@viscache1]

I tried welding frogs but they kept jumping away.

[@hundtmobilewelding]

😂 the hard part is catching them.

[@terrycapehart6303]

Hang tuff hand, you are a good man, have a blessed day América

[@johnwhauserman]

I know I could pass this test. Because I've been welding since 1975, and have been certified since May 9 1979.

[@ClintBlack-oq4vb]

I'd like to thank you for the video. Corporations being equal opportunity employer's I'm curious as to how much money it takes for all the time and materials to test each individual prospected employee. What are you doing now after the education on frogs ? ~M.B.

[@ClintBlack-oq4vb]

My conservative estimate is 17000.00 us dollars per student to test and educate a man. I like the glass half full even when it's dry...

[@kenjimrankin7485]

Very informative

[@hundtmobilewelding]

Thanks glad you enjoyed the video.

[@ronmower3694]

This test is easy! If ur at the very top level of welding! A very fun test I like it ! Try a boiler tube chrome test heavy wall!, or a inconel heavy wall Or a stainless 6 g tig out heavy wall test2”-6”, or a 42” 1000wallpipe stick pipeline test 1104 or b-31a or b or pressure vessels heavy wall testing! Or a plate test 232 3/32” wire 1” unlimited! flat, vert, ovr head, to a 12 branch on a 375wall 1104 or b-31 lowHi or 8010! Or a full pen moment joint 2+” of steel airacr the back out full pen! Lots of them I’ve done ! Been welding In The union trades and non union for since 91

[@hundtmobilewelding]

Nice! Those 6g test are not my favorite. You won't see me even trying them anymore. Like I said I think the hardest part was probably the grinding it into spec.

[@ronmower3694]

@@hundtmobilewelding well said, I concur!

[@lizshoemaker6569]

An old guy who is training me said there are still some spring loaded one way frog? If so how do they work and what’s an easy way to spot them when riding rail?

[@hundtmobilewelding]

Good question I'll make a video soon about the different types of frogs "railroad type" out there.

[@royreynolds108]

Those are easy to spot. Look for a frog that has only one open flangeway on the through or mainline route and the other(diverging route) flangeway is closed by a wing rail that has a housing that looks like a can laying on the frog-plate attached to the web of the wing. The spring is in the can. If you are familiar with a "jump" frog, it will have a similar appearance but not the ramps. These are used mostly on main lines to give a better ride over the diverging flangeway by supporting the wheels on that side.

[@stephenfowler6981]

Die penn test only picks up surface defects

[@RackTheMilesWelding]

All I can say is if in the situation a dispatcher gets bitchy with the rig welder for taking the time to do the job right, he can go find another welder. He can have the broken track lol

[@seantbr2019]

That inclusion was less than an 1/8th so your good right I'd give it a shot but idk if I'd pass or not

[@hundtmobilewelding]

Correct, 1/8th inch total in defects to pass. Mine wasn't even close. Im sure you'd be fine. It wasnt as hard as an over head or pipe .

[@seantbr2019]

@@hundtmobilewelding I suck at pipe

[@hundtmobilewelding]

@@seantbr2019 that's the reason I'm not a pipe welder 😂 could never get the hang of it.

[@johnschmidt2964]

Egoless welder who doesn’t think he’s special, who works hard.

[@cdrom1070]

I think I could lick a frog maybe but I can't do this weld

[@ucitymetalhead]

I don't have the slightest experience with either railroad tracks or welding so no.

[@kaptkrunchfpv]

One really deep one that the test didnt pick up. They need better test, train derailment incoming!

[@mechaslav8520]

You know what's wild, the worst welds I have ever seen while working where on a Union Pacific train car. Looked like a fucking dirt dobber nest.

[@hundtmobilewelding]

It's crazy what will pass an inspection.

[@mechaslav8520]

@@hundtmobilewelding I ground it all out and fixed it.

[@liamrobertson7265]

[@timkirkpatrick9155]

yes to frogs

[@BeardedxEagle4130]

Let’s xray it. Bet it fails.

[@hundtmobilewelding]

Passed every test required of it in class and I've done the same process on track, it's never failed an x-ray. The x-ray requirements for rail are different for any other type of metal also.

[@HughJass757]

Fellow railroad welder here this test wasn't hard at all imo

[@hundtmobilewelding]

It definitely wasn't the hardest test I've ever done. I absolutely hate grinding though. 😂

[@HughJass757]

@@hundtmobilewelding i def could pass this test i used to weld in the yard on aircraft carriers and subs test wayyyy harder and its all xray

[@HughJass757]

@@hundtmobilewelding i hear ya plus another thing is you'll never get enough time to actually lay down weld to your liking unless you get foul time or a outta service on what ever section of track your welding on ita a pain in the ass when you gotta stop and get up so a train can pass then u gotta tie back in to where you left off but hey it is what it is

[@chrisallen2005]

@@HughJass757 Living up to your name I see.

[@d.b.o.c.6852]

Just cus you didn't pass doesn't mean anyone can't pass.

[@hundtmobilewelding]

You should rewatch the video, I passed

[@fair2middlin]

In one word, NO

[@Captain1981.]

Anyone can do it stay within temp range

[@Comm0ut]

Good work getting 96 percent! Go make that money! Production feedback: Good video but there is no reason to have you in the video instead of the welding since it doesn't add content and the interesting stuff deserves more than a side pane view. Welds and equipment are interesting, not people. Your narration is well done though so keep at it!

[@cyclingdad1177]

excuse me......what?

[@howardhughes6212]

I know students that can pass this test.