How a Rail is Changed on the Railroad

[@jasonbabila6006]

When we change out rails, we leave the inside spikes the way it is and never lift up the inside spikes then we just pull the outside spikes and cant the rail in with a rail fork, put a couple of spikes flat between the tie plate and base of the rail at the spike hole on the tie plate and kick the old rail out with needle bars, when we replace rails we always put in a perfectly matching rail or one with no more than a 1/8th mismatch.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks so much for sharing that Jason. Excellent. if we had the rail stock pile to pick from like you do, we would have a better rail head match to start with. For those who are reading this, Jason is MOW at BNSF.

[@jasonbabila6006]

@@ccrx6700 The mismatch maximum is a FRA requirement for mainline so we always have tested and certified used rails for defect replacement.

[@davewallace8219]

@@ccrx6700 is it better to place a tie....under the joint for less fatigue on the joint?

[@Bassotronics]

@@davewallace8219 When I see some tracks from afar, I see lots of dips on the rails where the joiners are. I suppose putting a special tie hammered right underneath all joints would help aid in keeping away those dips on newly installed track. Or probably does nothing.

[@milwaukeeroadjim9253]

My dad, who is now 95 year old, tells me stories of working on the track gang back in the early 50s. Most everything was done manually. Repairing track, working at derailments, working in the cold. He worked for Chicago Great Western and then Chicago and North Western. He was telling me of traveling on a speeder about 50 miles in 20 below weather to report to an emergency in western Illinois. When he finally got home he found that his toes had turned blue. You would have to understand my dad to know he would never go to a doctor. He soaked his toes for some time and later cut them open to drain puss and eventually recovered. His toes are now cold sensitive. That was hard railroading. He left railroading after 5 years to work in a factory to have a steady paycheck because I was on the way and railroaders were always getting laid off back then.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Jim for sharing the story about your dad. I would have loved chatting with him. Those guys back then were tough as nails. If you dad is still with us, tell him I highly respect what he did and the conditions he had to work under. I tip my hat to him. Appreciate your stopping by and watching the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

In my line of work (owner operator truck driver), an experienced operator is a godsend when loading/unloading my flatbed. I'm not surprised to see that experienced equipment operators are also appreciated when working on track maintenance crews. The railroad is replacing a lot of track on the spur that runs along the back of my property. My grandsons and I enjoy watching them and their equipment at work...from a safe distance of course.

[@ccrx6700]

I can certainly agree with you on that Mike, a good operator who unloads you is a total blessing, doesn't tear your truck or trailer up. Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and write in my friend.

[@tyshaver108]

I would enjoy seeing a slowmo of the rail expansion and contraction!!

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks for the suggestion for a future video Ty. Also for taking the time to watch the video and write in my friend.

[@Trains-With-Shane]

The fellow running that rail crane is laying that stuff in like a surgeon! Drops it in and needs minimal adjustments by the crew. Thanks for showing us this process, Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

A good grapple truck operator is a blessing Shane. When you're on the ground, the first thing you learn is never get a grapple truck operator upset with you! LOL Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@ericcoffedgp40]

Very satisfying to watch new rail be installed!

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks so much Eric for dropping by and checking out the rail changing show. Pleased to hear you had a good time. May you have a most blessed day my friend

[@ericcoffedgp40]

@ccrx 6700 That's Railroadin! Thank you very much for the kind words Dave! We always enjoy watching your show!

[@billsmith3195]

Thank you Dave. Very intetesting. Never heard or thought of "ice jacking" under a rail but then where I live I have only seen snow 4 times in my life and I turned 77 yesterday. Keep em rollin' Dave.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks so much Bill for dropping by and checking out the rail changing show. No I don't imagine you ever had any problems with ice jacking the rails. One of the Canadian RR;s here a few years ago had a derailment at a crossing because of ice under the rail and it lifted the rail up. Happy Birthday and may you have a most blessed day and many more birthdays to come my friend

[@billsmith3195]

@@ccrx6700 thank you Dave.

[@ccrx6700]

@@billsmith3195 👍😊

[@MrMiticide]

Your videos are excellent inspection and repair tutorials! They are much appreciated from the engineering community! 👍

[@ccrx6700]

Appreciate the very kind words MrMiticide. Thank you very much for taking the time to check out the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@rickcooper6817]

Nice work Dave. " Older guys= Experienced personnel ". When I was still building houses there were a couple of us that were 20 plus years older than everyone else. The kids called us the OGC, "old guys crew". We always got a chuckle out of that. Stay safe my friend.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Rick, glad you liked the rail changing. No young guys here to even call us anything like that :-) Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@sweynforkbeardtraindude]

Another 20 minutes well spent. I believe you could turn a prune back into a plum, my friend! Great outlook on life.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Sweyn for the kind words, really pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@bobdillon1138]

Ah... brings back memories (not fond ones as now have lung problems from grinding dust.)used to spend all day on the grinder reshaping frog rails after i welded them.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for sharing that Bob, that dust is wicked stuff for the lungs I know. We appreciate your taking the time to watch and write in my friend.

[@fireballxl-5748]

Another winner Dave! Thanks! BTW, my health is continuing to improve......love to hear your laughter.....the bible says, "laughter doeth good like a medicine". Thanks again Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Fireball, glad you liked tonight's home movie. So glad to hear you are on the uptick and coming along, that's really good news for me to hear. Yes sir, laughter is the best medicine. Thank you my friend for paying us a visit, we are still pulling for ya.

[@fireballxl-5748]

@@ccrx6700 ....Dave....it is my pleasure just to see your smiling face and hear your pleasant voice.....PLUS, I learn things. When I was a child I was fascinated by railroads and track as I lived close to some old railways that by the time I was out of grammar school were removed for "affordable" housing. I used to play in the abandoned homes close to the tracks (not safe but I was just a dumb kid). Thanks again Dave and I'll do my best to keep on chugging along!

[@ccrx6700]

@@fireballxl-5748 👍😊

[@martinsipple6478]

Dave back in the day I worked Conrail, Delmarva branch, Porter south to Pocomoke, I loved railroading, ended up on a crossing and switch gang of 5 men, under our foreman NG Morris aka Applejack, man did I learn railroading from that Man!

[@ccrx6700]

Awesome Martin! Railroading gets in your blood and you can't get it out. Would love to sometime chat with you and hear some old time railroading stories! Old school railroading, right down my alley.Thank you so much my friend for writing in and checking out the rail changing video.

[@williamralph5442]

I’m surprised the ties don’t burn when you heat the rails. Thanks Dave.

[@robertheinkel6225]

I tried to burn an old railroad tie once in a bonfire. All it did was smoke a lot, but never burned.

[@ccrx6700]

Never had one catch on fire William, although I did catch a bridge timber on fire way back, II was by myself too, that was intense!. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@jamesford3648]

Another FANTASTIC video as ALWAYS…… Thank you

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you James for the kind words, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate very much your taking the time to stop by and join in on the rail changing party. Happy rails to you until we meet again my friend.

[@Wall2000x]

We need Dave in Massachusetts. A+ job as usual.

[@ccrx6700]

Guess they will have to wait in line, seems like I'm wanted all over....LOL Very much appreciate the nice comment and for taking the time to check out the video my friend.

[@pauld.1256]

Great teamwork.. the grappler guy is a tremendous help! You can tell it’s not his first day!! Fun to see how that’s done.. thank you Dave for the lesson!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Paul, glad you liked tonight's home movie. Calvin the operator is actually retired and only comes out once in awhile to help out and make a few extra dollars, but is a pretty good operator and a really great guy. Always is a pleasure to have you visit with us and write in my friend.

[@alro2434]

@@ccrx6700 Thanks, great video! The grappler guy is worth EVERY dollar and then some!

[@geraldblackburn4883]

It is Brutal for sure, the amount of force and forces the rail takes.

[@ccrx6700]

That for sure it is, tangent track is not so bad, but with the high degree curves we have that is where the real punishment takes place. Over 75% of our curves are high degree. A curve is considered high degree if it is over 3 degrees. Our highest main line curve is 13 degrees which is really a sharp curve for RR.

[@jeffpiatt3879]

I love this channel! When I was a kid, I had a huge HO guage model railroad. Loved my trains. Ended up becoming a legal consultant, but still dream about working on the railroad. Would love to see the productive outcome of my daily work.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks for writing in with the very nice comment Jeff. Hey, a guy can dream can't he! In the meantime you can always watch my RR videos.... LOL Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and check out the presentation. Happy rails to you until we meet again my friend.

[@whoever6458]

Well that is pretty cool! Good thing you have that machine to lift the rails. I had always wondered how one went about moving such a huge piece of metal.

[@ccrx6700]

Glad you enjoyed the rail changing show Who Ever. Always a pleasure to have you drop by and write in my friend.

[@raymondsprengelmeyer1278]

You and your fellow workers make changing rail look easy! Thank you for bringing us along!

[@ccrx6700]

Done it a time or two in the past Raymond.... LOL It does go pretty quick with some good help. Glad to have you visit with us tonight my friend. Always a pleasure to hear from you.

[@vhalmrast]

My extended family owns Spike Fast. Willamette Valley Company! Much Love Harrisons! They also own Shoe Goo!

[@ccrx6700]

That's really cool to hear Cameron! I once had an excavator rubber track start to split on me, I tried Shoe Goo to hold it together, but it doesn't work for that, guess it's better for shoes than excavator tracks... LOL Appreciate your stopping by and watching the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@rebelrailroader]

Great work. You brought back some memories.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Zach, I'm sure you could relate and was probably changing some rail in your mind that you did while you watched. Always is a pleasure to have you visit and write in my friend.

[@rebelrailroader]

@@ccrx6700 That I did. I'm not sure if your rail size has a difference on what is the running side or not. I know the rail I played with there is a side we called the running side that faced to the inside. You had to make sure you didn't install a rail backwards.

[@RossBarrett-o5c]

Thanks for your great videos Dave, watching from Nowra NSW Australia and enjoying them all.

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Ross, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@artillerest43rdva7]

Hello Dave: found a KZbin video of CSX delivering railcars onto the storage area where I work. it is under Matty Gunn “Reclassified Geep leads the Kenmore local “ ~1 month ago.I walk the tracks everyday that I am at working on site, it is so neat to see the delivery from a drone! Matty Gunn does videos in the western NY area. mostly short line stuff. right across from the site is what was a good sized yard , now all the deliveries come from their old NY central yard up in Niagara Falls N.Y. Since they closed the coal fired plant 4 years ago, the volume of traffic out of the kenmore yard dropped drastically. it was so much better when it was just across the street to obtain the raw materials. the second half is delivering raw materials to Sumimoto rubber Co. ( dunlop tire Co. ) across the street from work.

[@artillerest43rdva7]

Sumitomo is the correct spelling they are the mother company of Dunlop Tire Company.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks for sharing that Barry, I get some time will have to check that video out.

[@wilburroth5150]

Nice to see how things are done on the rails when it comes to maintenance and repairs. Thanks Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Wilbur, great to hear you liked the presentation. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@margaretragle1337]

Nice work on the rails. Ya'll makes it looks simple.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the kind words Margaret, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@christopherleenknecht920]

Another great video Dave 👍 👍🚂

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Christopher, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@valeriebassett3107]

You guys sure work hard. Take care and we will see you again soon.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the kind words Valerie. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@richardaustin2640]

Fascinating Dave! Have no doubt there are so many aspects that can go wrong if the crew isn't on top of the game. Great job 👍

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the nice comment Richard, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@beverlymichael5830]

Great job. As always. “Someone didn’t measure right “. You would have made sure it was correct. Thanks for another great video.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the kind words Beverly, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@tzadik36]

Thanks for this nice video. Hard to imagine how they changed it by human muscle power so many moons ago!

[@ccrx6700]

You're welcome Robin, glad you enjoyed. In old days we used rail tongs to move the rail in place, grapple trucks sure are a labor saver from the days of old! Appreciate your stopping by and watching the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@davemanone3661]

my late brother worked for UP for 20 years. he started out in the yard, worked his way up to conductor. then he drove the train for more than 10 years. thanks for the videos.

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Dave. Bet your brother had some cool RR stories to tell! Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@davemanone3661]

@ccrx6700 thank you from me and my little brother.

[@DanielNewhoff]

If I owned a railroad or mine, I'd definitely want Dave working for me. What a great guy. Good old fashioned hard worker. Thank you for the video. It was very interesting

[@johnrencheck2283]

Nothing beats knowledge and experience

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Daniel for the very kind words, glad you enjoyed. Appreciate your stopping by and watching the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@edbiedenkapp1322]

Awesome stuff. Just love watching.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the kind words Ed, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@randydobson1863]

hello dave its is randy and i like yours video is cool and super how to change a rail thanks dave friends randy

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Randy, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@captaintrips2980]

When Charles Bronson blew up the rails to stop a train in the film "Breakheart Pass", the solution was to remove track sections from behind and replace the damaged section in front of the train. It was a well acted scene, with "Indians" doing it all manually. The film is my all time favorite one involving trains, and the runaway cars crashing into the valley was really cool. ✌

[@ccrx6700]

I've never seen than one Captain Trips, sounds like I need to check it out! I like watching Bronson. Appreciate very much your taking the time to stop by and join in on the rail changing party. Happy rails to you until we meet again my friend.

[@jasonboche]

That's Railroadin! (with a bunch of old guys out here and the rail on fire)

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the nice comment Jason, glad you enjoyed. Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and take in the video my friend.

[@brianhickey5949]

An amazing production! It is done and done right :) I like the fire snake - they are very cool (or hot!).

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Brian for the kind words, pleased to hear you enjoyed. What a blessing Fire Snake is! Never get tired of seeing it burn, although breathe in the fumes and it will put you on your knees, it's wicked stuff! Appreciate very much your taking the time to stop by and join in on the rail changing party. Happy rails to you until we meet again my friend.

[@tomedgar4375]

Thanks Dave, another great piece of info

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Tom, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@scottleidenberger4401]

Awesome video Dave. That was one bad looking rail.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Scott, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@davenitsch6094]

Fantastic video Dave, I enjoyed that my friend!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Dave for the very kind words. Glad you enjoyed. Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and write in my my friend. May you have a most blessed day.

[@dalelinton7716]

Love your videos! Gotta come your way and catch a few pictures of the train in action!

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks so much Dale for dropping by and checking out the rail changing show. Great to hear you are having a good time watching. May you have a most blessed day my friend

[@jasonoliver5388]

Very nice work Dave

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the kind words Jason, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@Santafefrank]

Thanks Dave 😊

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Frank, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@MaidensWorldOfWax]

Another banger video Dave!! Thanks for taking me along. (again lol)

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Maiden's World of Wax, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@chucko5006]

Loved trains all my life and always love learning new things from your videos, Dave. I can tell you are a man who loves his job. Thanks for taking us along 👍🏼

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Chuch for the kind words, pleased to hear you enjoyed. yes sir, I do love railroading, it is the central preoccupation of my life. Appreciate very much your taking the time to stop by and join in on the rail changing party. Happy rails to you until we meet again my friend.

[@jimjohnston7688]

Man that’s interesting, a whole lot more to railroading than I thought. Thanks Dave

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Jim for the kind words, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate very much your taking the time to stop by and join in on the rail changing party. Happy rails to you until we meet again my friend.

[@richardbause2453]

Dave, reminding us of the cold 🥶 on a 80 degree day in the northeast 😅. Changing rail can be easy and simple with the correct tools 🔧 and plan. It will go like 1 2 3 done. I've changed rail and the replacement piece was in the stock pile at the yard. Challenge was getting the rail and getting it to the site. Old school 🏫 leverage using bars to get the rail off the pile and into the gage. Next Challenge, raising it up enough to chain ⛓ hang it from the hi-rail trucks hitch to drag it the track 3 miles to the work location. Cleaned the grass out of the gauge really good. Once there, loosening joints to do the change out. Getting creative for fitting a tight rail required loosening more joints, chain ⛓ drag banging to drive the joints tight to gain the amount to needed to fit the rail. Fun time and learning all in one in the woods of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. Stay safe my friend and have fun. Richard Bause

[@ccrx6700]

Our old hi rail truck had to drag many a rail cause it didn't have racks. Much rather have a too short piece than a piece too long, can always use the snake to grow the rail but too short is a real challenge sometimes. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@jcs16361]

Good job. I remember the days when we couldn’t get the track, main line passenger, for enough time to use a crane. We would use rail tongs and muscle to replace a rail

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for sharing that John. We've used rail tongs way in the past, takes some strong guys and strong backs to pick up 132 Lb rail with them, I like the grapple trucks much better! LOL Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@michaelcase8574]

Thanks Dave. Always a joy.

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Michael, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@michaelmondich1966]

Now that’s a WRENCH@ 8:40!!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Michael, you got that right!. We appreciate your taking the time to watch and write in my friend.

[@andrewthacker114]

Thanks for sharing

[@ccrx6700]

Your always welcome Andrew. Was very nice of you to stop by and check out how a rail is changed my friend.

[@PlanetMojo]

You guys made that look easy! It must take a long time to get the skills to maneuver the track like that! I agree with the new stuff statements. Why would anyone reuse old stuff on such a mission critical job!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Mojo for the very kind words, glad you enjoyed. Some RR's do reuse the old stuff trying to cut corners. My old boss used to have me pick thru scrap buckets trying to find decent spikes to reuse to save a few pennies. Don't do that anymore since he left! Appreciate your stopping by and watching the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@s16100]

Glad you pointed out grinding that new rail down on the edge and flange side of the head to match the old one that it is up against. We actually had a car pick a joint last summer because the joint on the curve was not ground down. I didn't believe it would happen but it did.

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Bryan. Car picked a joint, that is a new one on me but there are some really strange things happen on the rails. I'm not doubting you one bit. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@s16100]

@@ccrx6700 Well, the joint was low on the outside rail of a tight curve, and for some reason the one axle hit that joint and the flange went right up on the rail head. We also found almost no lubrication where the truck meets the car frame, so it was probably a combination of several things that led up to it. We tamped the track, ground the rail head, and greased the truck bolster and the place the car bolster slides when the truck turns. Not sure what it is called. Everything was fine after that running over it.

[@derrickanderson4932]

Thanks again for another interesting video.

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Derrick, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@opieshomeshop]

*Nice job! Didn't like seeing the **_COOOOLD!!!!!!_** But as they say, the show must go on, rain or shine. Without the coal, the lights go out. Gots to keep the lights on!*

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you David for the kind words, pleased to hear you enjoyed. I agree with you on the coal but coal for power generation domestically has dropped from 22% down to 20% of the fuel used. And it's going to drop even further. Natural gas is the highest source at 39% with renewable energy making up the rest. With cheap natural gas prices it has been kicking coal's butt for a number of years now. I am a big advocate for coal and and natural gas as you know. However, the world wide energy fuel demands being fed from fossil fuels is at 70%. The United Nations wants to eliminate all fossil fuel energy sources by 2030. But I guess that sounds pretty good to the green folks but in reality it ain't never gonna happen in that short amount of time. We are told here, if the domestic market for coal dries up then they can sell every single ounce of coal we mine over seas. World wide demand for coal is tremendous. Appreciate very much your taking the time to stop by and join in on the rail changing party. Happy rails to you until we meet again my friend.

[@opieshomeshop]

@@ccrx6700 The UN is full of it. This whole climate crisis is a bunch of nonsense. When I was growing up in L.A. the air was brownish red in the daytime, and it burned your eyes and messed with your nose and you could feel it in your lungs. Today, the population in L.A. has doubled and the air is completely clean. We have gotten a lot better and more efficient thanks to technology. Even how coal is burned has become more efficient. I read that we have enough petroleum reserves right here in the US to last us for the next 400 years. And there is a lot of evidence showing that petroleum is actually renewable. I no longer believe anything I hear from the media or politicians. They don't have our best interests at heart, they have their own best interest at heart and they could care less about us. I also know for a fact that we could have gasoline vehicles that get more than 70 MPG but as usual, politics. I've also seen hydrogen cars run off water. You should look up stan meters dune buggy. It runs off water and its exhaust is water.

[@johnkelley9877]

This was very interesting and it is amazing how much work it tanks to replace a rail. There are some things in the video that I did not know needed to be done. The way the operator placed the rails on the track was very neat and showa a lot of skill. Thanks for sharing this.

[@ccrx6700]

Very glad to hear you enjoyed John. Lot of little things go into\ changing a rail, much more than most folks realize. Thank you very much for stopping by and taking the time to watch and write in. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

OMG Dave bringing back all these memories and drooling again LOL. I wished I could get in my private Jet if I had one and help you guys out. Enjoyed watching once again and have a wonderful rest of your evening Dave.(Steve)

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Steve, pleased to hear you enjoyed I'm sure as you watched you were changing some of the rail you did in your mind! I know you would love to be out here helping us do this. Appreciate very much your taking the time to stop by and join in on the rail changing party. Happy rails to you until we meet again my friend.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

@@ccrx6700 Your very welcome and oh yes every step of the way.

[@ocsrc]

The weight of the coal cars really beats the hell out of the rail

[@ccrx6700]

Another thing that is really hard on rails in high degree curves is the 3 axle locomotive trucks. Sometimes you will see loco consists on trains where they have a 2 axle GP loco. That loco will be used in yards to set out cars off the train because of the sharp degree curves in yards. 3 axle trucks really put the stress on rail in high degree curves. Another major cause of rail wear in curves is the improper super elevation for the train speed.

[@robertf3479]

No doubt!

[@4everdc302]

That's using your noggin for keeping gauge👍Darn cool Dave👷‍♂️⛏️🚂🇨🇦🇺🇲🙋

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks so much Doug for dropping by and checking out the rail changing show. Had I not said we check gauge, believe me the correct police would have been all over me for not doing that! May you have a most blessed day my friend

[@dorothycole8611]

Big job well done!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed. Appreciate your stopping by and watching the video.

[@scottgray493]

Nice work and good job!!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the kind words Scott, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@michaelpass2176]

Hello Dave glad to see you may think it is cold out.😂😊

[@ccrx6700]

Well it certainly was when I made that video Michael, 80 degrees here today, but I like the cold better. Appreciate very much your taking the time to stop by and join in on the rail changing party. Happy rails to you until we meet again my friend.

[@michaelpass2176]

We are in the low 50’s high 40’s light rain. Snow is almost gone.

[@davidsellars646]

Dave, at one time I'd probably have wrestled you for those scrap spikes.

[@ccrx6700]

If it ever came to that David, the spikes would be yours without a wrestling match cause i'm sure your would win it anyway. Appreciate your stopping by and watching the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@paulsmith5398]

Another awesome "behind the scenes" video!, bet those fire snake rails feel warm on a cold day! So....... a little polyurethane goes a long way keeping spikes in place for years to come? I have some fairly cheap HO track, the rails are made of a steel alloy, and with a little moisture over time, they can be made to look like those rails that were replaced. I wont use them on a main, but they look great on an abandoned HO siding!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the kind words Paul, pleased to hear you enjoyed. We have never used the poly resin here, but have seen other RR's use it. Seems to work great. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@paulsmith5398]

@@ccrx6700 Well, YIKES!, we are in for some rough weather in a few minutes.............will catch ya on the next video!👍👍♥️🇺🇸♥️🇺🇸❗

[@stanleyjazwinski1694]

Dave, great personality coupled with your genuine passion for Railroading. You afford much cheer!!! Thank you

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Stanley for the very kind words, glad you enjoyed. Appreciate your stopping by and watching the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@mikemissel7785]

It looked cold that morning Dave thanks for sharing please keep the videos coming!

[@ccrx6700]

Your very welcome Mike, so nice of you to watch and write in, we always appreciate hearing from you my friend. Don't lose any sleep, lot's of more videos will be coming your way. Making these videos is a really fun thing to do for me.

[@Marco-qe5zw]

Great content! God Bless

[@ccrx6700]

Appreciate the kind words Marco, glad you enjoyed. Thanks for taking the time to watch and write in my friend.

[@garymessina1609]

Great educational rail replacement with joint bars welded rail is a bit different thanks Dave for a great video

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Gary for the very kind words, glad you enjoyed. Appreciate your stopping by and watching the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@briankemp5206]

They made it look to easy! Thanks for sharing Dave.

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Brian, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@barbararoberto1258]

Hi Mr Dave all of you did great work, thanks for the information on how the rails are changed, keep up the good work

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Barbara for the kind words, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate very much your taking the time to stop by and join in on the rail changing party. Happy rails to you until we meet again my friend.

[@BeeLineEast]

Cool video Dave. I thought i saw Mittal on the one rail. LOL. Brings back memories of watching the Steelton and Highspire R.R. change rail that ran through the mill.

[@ccrx6700]

There must be some tracks around Steelton Michael, cause Hulcher was here working last year and they got a call for a derailment to go there. They worked all day here, then drove out that afternoon. It's been a long time ago since we got any rail other than from Steelton. We do have a small bit of Rocky Mountain Steel rail we got on an order from A&K RR way back. Other than that all other rail is original US Steel Illinois. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@BeeLineEast]

@@ccrx6700 Thanks Dave. Plenty of railroad activity in my area. I video quite often in this area. I'm near the Reading Harrisburg Line. Tuesday i saw N/S truck stop and they burnt a hole in a section of ribbon rail that was hundreds of feet long. Went back Thursday it was all gone.Rail they removed had been laying there for over a year or more. Plenty of action on this line. They shift for Hershey Chocolate with the Operation Lifesaver 6655 and a Conrail caboose. The Steelton rail should hold up for you i hope. This plant also rolls head hardend rail also. L didn't know if i mentioed that to you or not. Ok Dave thanks for the comment.

[@GY51360]

Thanks again Dave for another interesting video. Love your channel

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Buckeye Freight Railin, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@gerlandkent6377]

[thank, you for you're video]👍

[@ccrx6700]

Really appreciate your dropping by and taking in the show today my friend. Thank You

[@franklinwerren7684]

Older means experience!!! At least you did not live back in the 1800’s to 1960’s and do it manually!!! Thank god for modern service equipment!!!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Franklin for the nice comment. I could be wrong, but seems to me in one of my former incarnations worked track for PRR and also am thinking was on building the Transcontinental RR. So I got my share of manual labor in on those two jobs.... :-) Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@artillerest43rdva7]

Dave by keeping a set of the spikes in the ties you will be in gauge { if it was before removing the damaged rail} or very close to it. you might have a slight correction. we have the gauge bars on the tracks to help maintain the proper gauge. there are only a few pieces of old rail, most was replaced in 2009. when the track was rebuilt, new everything! the old track pieces are ‘37, ‘36, & ‘46 ! where it joins into CSX. the funny part is they used the allot of the old tie plates! dated ‘46 & 47. I want to see some of the old site drawings to see the original layout, and see the changes over the years. it dates back to 1921. barry

[@ccrx6700]

You are correct in that Barry, but like you say, if it was in gauge to start with, so that is why we still check gauge, peace of mind for the few minutes it takes to do it. Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video. Happy rails to you until we meet again my friend.

[@matthewhughes817]

Nice keep up the hard work. U should do video riding on the engine the whole line

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Matthew, pleased to hear you enjoyed. I will do a vid on an engine ride for the whole track sometime, always like to hear suggestions on what you want to see. but please give me some time before that video happens, I rarely anymore bet to ride the train on a trip. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@jayhopkins6990]

Dave do you think, if those rails were cut on a 45 instead of a 90 the train wheel bump on the splice would be smoother because there's not a straight90 degree splicecut,gap. INSTEAD It would transition along the next rail smoother On the forty 45 degree cut splices.Hopethe best for you and yours GOD BLESS

[@ccrx6700]

Interesting suggestion Jay. I am assuming your are meaning on the rail head gage face and not on the top of the rail head. If that is so, then on tangent track it may work very well. However on curved track that much of an angle will mean the track gauge will be widened and will also mean the car wheel flange will ride up higher on the rail which could result in a wheel climb derailment. If you've ever seen curve wear on a rail, you would understand better what I'm saying. We have replaced a lot of rail in the curves that have curve wear on them for the above stated reason. I have yet to make a video on curve wear, I keep forgetting to do it. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@mikelockhart1827]

Dave you had another really good video this evening I really enjoyed it . Dave I didn't quite understand what you were talking about on your video this evening?

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Mike, pleased to hear you enjoyed. What was it in particular you would like clarification on? Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@mikelockhart1827]

@@ccrx6700 Dave I didn't quite understand what you were talking about on that last video.

[@ShakeelAhmad-cc1yf]

its my wish to come there ans see your work

[@ccrx6700]

hey, a guy can dream can't he! Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video. Happy rails to you until we meet again my friend.

[@lewistodd9242]

Great video Dave. I have always wondered what happens to the bad rail. Is it recycled or what. Have a great day my friend.😊

[@ccrx6700]

Really glad you liked this one Lewis. Old rail that is junk is scrapped. Rail that is decent will be sold to a contractor where they will put it in a siding or spur track somewhere. Thanks so much for dropping by and watching my friend.

[@alexistarr]

Thanks for this fascinating insight into the process of replacing sections of rail. How long does one of these sections of rail last before it has to be replaced again?

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Alexi, glad you enjoyed. The rail in that curve was rolled an put in 1975. Rail in higher speed sharp degree curves often lasts a lot less, this is 10 mph track so the wear on it was minor. Rail in tangent track can last a whole lot longer than rail in curves. Appreciate your taking the time to check out the video and may you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@skywatcherca]

Dave, you are a repository of knowledge: you will have a long, long career with this great company - that is if they are on the ball and smart. Dave, what is the width tolerance between the rails? I love to watch work, but I prefer to watch work when it's done with great safety in mind - which is what I see in your videos. It's good to know, that everyone returns home at the end of a shift, in health, with all of one's digits and limbs. Excellent videos my friend. Stay safe, and ensure that your associates and teams are working safely. 2 thumbs UP!!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Jonathan for the really nice comment, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Ideal rail gap for us is 3/8 to 1/4 inch. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@Hyrev1]

Thanks for another really interesting video Dave! Pretty cool how the old rails are tipped out, and the new are tipped back into position. What's like the max/min gap between the rails that you shoot for?? I recently watched a video from Hungary I believe, that was showing some rail closeups, and it looked like you could get your thumb between the rails. I thought, Wow that don't look good!..but then I don't really know what too wide is!

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Jim, glad you are enjoying. With all jointed track here, I like to have gap between the rails 3/8 to 1/4 inch which is ideal for our track. Of course with 16 miles of jointed track and with the rail creep we have it's impossible for every joint to have that gap, some are more and some less. Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video. Happy rails to you until we meet again my friend.

[@Hyrev1]

@@ccrx6700 Thanks Dave! Appreciate that, and thats kinda the ballpark I was guessing! Have a nice evening!

[@ccrx6700]

@@Hyrev1 👍😊

[@noahkleugh9323]

I would have thought that the railroad industry would have come up with some Temperature /Length tables long ago that would allow measurement under any condition and installation at a different temperature or season.

[@ccrx6700]

There are very stringent regulations when changing continuous welded rail Noah. Jointed rail is not that big of a deal in comparision as far as temperature when you lay it goes. Thank you for checking out the video and may you have a very good day my friend.

[@cedarcam]

That sure looked easy with the grapple. I wish our railway would invest in the machines you have they would still use tongs here on a small job like that. Also the joint bars, I see a comment you have ones to match new and old rail height we call them lift plates, just wondering why you grind the rail instead of using them.

[@ccrx6700]

A grapple truck sure does save a lot of manual labor, we have used rail tongs, but trucks are a real back saver. On different size rails that we have such as 132 and 136 we do use the lift plates or as we call them compromise joint bars. On replacing rail with new that is the same size, there is a slight mismatch on the rail heads from the new to the old rail, so that is what is being ground. Appreciate your stopping by and watching the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@cedarcam]

@@ccrx6700 Ah So the height difference does not match the compromise joint bar lift I get it now. I am thinking we have shims that fit on one end of the joint bar for when that happens. If I get to see someone I know he will be able to tell me more on those.

[@ccrx6700]

@@cedarcam 👍😊

[@timothygeorge1191]

💯great Video 💯💯

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Timothy for the kind words, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@henrybucki7813]

how did they measure wrong on that rail .seems like the rails should be pre measured and marked with their length marked on the rail

[@ccrx6700]

I didn't measure that one Henry, but whoever did kinda measured it a bit short. Guess he was never a carpenter.... :-) Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@kevinaurandt6280]

When you are in a situation, when for some reason, where you have to change a rail or a couple sections when it has been pretty hot for several days, do you have to watch that section closer for a pull apart when it is extremely cold for a period of time in the winter?

[@ccrx6700]

Yes sir Kevin, in really hot weather we change rail in the morning when it is cool, in afternoon when rail heats up it can grow longer pretty quick and really mess things up. At least in cold weather we can use the Fire Snake to grow rail back longer. Appreciate your stopping by and watching the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@russelltrupia4479]

Really enjoy this type of video, the info is very interesting Dave. What do you do with the old rail?

[@ccrx6700]

Really glad you liked this one Russell. Old rail that is junk is scrapped. Rail that is decent will be sold to a contractor where they will put it in a siding or spur track somewhere. Always is a pleasure to have you visit with us my friend.

[@russelltrupia4479]

@@ccrx6700 Thank you Dave👍👍

[@ccrx6700]

@@russelltrupia4479 👍😊

[@mjphillips76]

I was looking at those rails and wondering how much fatigue is there in those rails being replaced that we can't see with the naked eye...

[@ccrx6700]

Ultrasonic rail testers can see inside MJ, so far they haven't hired anyone here like superman with x rays eyes, although we once had a boss who seemed to think he could see inside and tell if a rail was bad or a track bolt was bad, we used to tease him about his x ray vision.... :-) But you are right, heavy train traffic over many years does take a toll on internal steel. Growths can start and actually grow larger over time internally, they are like the rail having cancer and the tumor grows inside and you can't see it until the rail breaks or the testers find it.

[@billyvalentine1836]

Dave, rather then profiling the new rail to match the in service rail profile, raise bars on the in service rail would match the new rail surface, they come in 1/16 to 1/4 inch increments for match. Look to see if the vendor the company uses carries them, cheaper for them then to alter a rail and have it fail, they don't make rails like they used too!!

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks for writing in with that Billy, I have never heard of those bars, very interesting, I will do some checking around. Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video. Happy rails to you until we meet again my friend.

[@robertheinkel6225]

What I have never figured out, is welded rails have to expand and contract. How does welded rail allow that to happen?

[@ccrx6700]

Welded rail has every tie anchored Robert to help and prevent the rail creep. Yet in very hot weather it can still buckle, that is why most RR;'s have a slow order on trains in very hot weather. I'm sure you've heard of derailments caused by heat buckles or as most call them sun kinks or heat kinks. Buckles is the proper term to use however, but the news media doesn't know this. Appreciate your stopping by and watching the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@mariusdd6194]

Good video! It got me to thinking about how much does age affect the rails. And the average age of the rails of the nation. Is there a way to find out?

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Marius, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Age doesn't affect rails, it's the weight over it, plus the ballast conditions under it, plus the degree of curvature, along with a few other things that causes rail to wear. Sounds like a good suggestion for a possible future video on that topic! Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.

[@mustralineabsorbine5082]

This was a great video. Will the discarded "stick" be recycled? :)

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks so much Mustraline for dropping by and checking out the rail changing show. Yes sir, it will be scrapped and hopefully someday re melted down for a new rail. May you have a most blessed day my friend

[@chucksdesk]

Dave, when the rail head is damaged like this on the inside, is it prohibited to just swap ends so the damage is on the outside head of the rail? It appears the outside head doesn’t get ware. Seems unless this is a no no, it could save the railroad money.

[@ccrx6700]

Very good question Charles. It is not prohibited to turn the rail neither is it prohibited to transpose the rail from one side of the track to the other. Many RR;s in the past have done that, some still do. We have never done it here. our old track foreman said if they are going to buy us new rail, that is what we will put in. Thanks so much for watching and writing in my friend.

[@Slide164]

When I worked for CN on secondary line we often flip the rail.

[@shirleymoore7700]

how many derailments have you had in the last 5 years, Dave? Can't have been many, as careful as you are with the track.

[@ccrx6700]

2 main line Shirley. But up where they load cars and when a car door opens derailments happen a good bit, I don't have an exact figure for the past 5years but guessing around 2 a year. Thank you so much for stopping by and checking out the video and may you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@perrybabin8427]

Is there ever a time, when changing a piece of track in a curve, that the rail has to be pre-bent? I'm assuming that the curves have to have a large enough radius that you can simply make the joint and then spike it down as you go to get it bent into the proper radius.

[@robertheinkel6225]

Tracks are easily bent for curves. It is surprising how flexible they really are.

[@ccrx6700]

On almost all freight RR's all rail is hand bent in the field to match the curve radius Perry. In some transit applications there are very high degree curves and yes for those rail comes pre bent from the manufacturer. I made a video on how to bend rail for a curve if you would care to watch it sometime: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oau6go1uocyMopY

[@mikep1085]

Good job! It looks like a track man could lose a finger or toe if he isn't careful doing that!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Mike, pleased to hear you enjoyed. Yes sir, got to keep your head in the game out here playing with this big heavy stuff. Appreciate your visiting with us and checking out the video. Happy rails to you my friend until we meet again.