How to Bend Rail for a Curve on the Railroad

[@gutterguru7158]

Great video Dave. Seeing the amount of followers and the number of comments you have a lot of people interested in “railroadin” you bringing information to the masses maybe people will have a better respect for what we do. And the crew working in the rain shows we are hard workers because we work in all weather conditions

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you so much for the awesome comment. Railroaders are like the US Postal Service, the mail must go thru and the trains must go thru despite what the weather is. Always is a pleasure to have you visit with us and hear from you my fellow railroading friend.

[@johnnycee5179]

I for one do in fact now have a greater respect for you guys and imagine the work done on other tracks would be similar.

[@gmac8852]

The man's personality is definitely infectious. In a good way. 😊

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much G Mac for the nice comment, glad you enjoyed. Really appreciate your paying us a visit and taking in the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@tommyzcat]

Same. It brings Joy.

[@johnnycee5179]

I keep coming back because we'll, I really enjoy train and rail education but Dave is the perfect person for this, very knowledgeable and cordial. Thanks Dave, you're the best buddy.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Johnny for the nice comment. Glad you are enjoying. We really appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and watch. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@colemanerik]

When I worked for a industrial RR for one summer we did some work replacing some tie plates. I could not aim the nail hammer at all. Props to the the guys that fix rail all the time. I stuck to being a brakeman lol.

[@ccrx6700]

Don't feel bad, I still miss spike head on occasion after all these years. Still break a maul handle on occasion to. That's railroading. LOL Thanks for taking the time to tune in and watch the show my friend.

[@michaelball760]

People would be surprised how much flex rail has. My wife was shocked when I told her we bend rail around a curve by hand most of the time.

[@aaaeee2862]

I always thought, the rails needed to be heated, not red hot, but just literally smoking hot.

[@davep6977]

Is the rail really "bent" or is it curved under pressure? If the spikes came out for reason, would it snap straight again?

[@beeble2003]

@@davep6977 It'll straighten again, though not when it's still bolted to the next rail at each end. And I doubt it'd "snap" straight. Rail's heavy, and it has a lot of friction against the tie plates, so it's not going to move fast.

[@nigelparker5886]

What, over the knee then?

[@ccrx6700]

The only time we've ever had to use heat is when making the sharp bend in a turnout curved closure rail We've been bending rail with bars since the beginning. Not often have we had a grapple truck to help us. Thanks so much my good friend for joining me on the rail bending party.

[@alandaters8547]

Thanks for another lesson! I wouldn't have thought that bending a rail was that easy, but that bar does have a lot of leverage.

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome, glad you enjoyed. Archimedes once said, give me a lever big enough and I can move the world. Actually bending rail is pretty easy, it's no big deal. Certainly appreciate your visiting with us my friend.

[@nickjenkins1663]

Just found your channel. Excellent content. Thank you.

[@TealPetunia]

Thank you, Dave! My daughter and I were wondering how rail was bent and your video was really fun and informative. :)

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the nice comment Kate, glad you guys enjoyed it. Was very nice of you to stop by and take the time to check out the video my friend.

[@stanleyprusinski97]

Thanks Dave. Good reminder of the hard work you guys do, year round, to keep America rolling. Stay safe. 👍

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Stanley, so glad you enjoyed. Appreciate your visiting with us today and taking in the show my friend.

[@namarhodge568]

Amazing, I have seen a lot of interesting stuff. I have worked on a lot of interesting stuff. I have even amazed people at times by using basic simple tools and methods to getter done on some difficult task, but I would have never guessed a rail could be bent by this method. Simpley Amazing. Thanks for another great video.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the nice comment Namar. That was very kind of you to say that. Appreciate your taking the time to watch and may you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@raymondsprengelmeyer1278]

I always wondered how you bent the rail. You made it look easy Dave! Thank you for sharing!

[@ccrx6700]

And now you know Raymond. Easy peasy. We've been bending rail like that since the beginning here, it's actually not that hard to do. Always do enjoy having your presence with us my friend.

[@davidbass7593]

Amazing that rail is so flexible thanks for sharing

[@ccrx6700]

Rail certainly is amazing at how flexible yet brittle at the same time it really is David. It's actually pretty easy to bend rail to fit a curve like this, even easier in the warm weather. Very much appreciate your taking the time to pay us a visit and check out the rail bending video my friend.

[@johndanaher6371]

While walking the NCR Trail 2 weeks ago, my friend asked how the rail got bent. I said they probably did it gradually and now I can show him. Thanks for the timely video, sir. They are always informative and fun to watch. OH, and as an aside, I was telling him how Lincoln would have seen the same vistas we were seeing on his way to Gettysburg. And as it turned out, he traveled on that line 159 years to the day we were walking along it.

[@ccrx6700]

That's pretty cool John. Thanks for the awesome comment. Always is a pleasure to have you come visit with us my friend.

[@saeidkharrat4397]

TRUTH MUST BE TOLD . PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND YOUR ANCESTORS MADE THIS COUNTRY IN VERY HARD AND DIFFICULT CONDITIONS. WE IMMIGRANTS HAVE TO APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK. THANKS AGAIN AND GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the very kind words Saeid. We really appreciate your taking the time to check out the video and write in my friend.

[@sjwatt]

Man, when I was a kid I always thought everything about railroads was rock solid, now I realize it’s all springy sproingy rubber, and that it’s about designing it to work together and not fall apart. Wow!

[@ccrx6700]

When I was a kid I thought there was a Santa Claus and Easter Bunny. Our beliefs do change about things don't they. But between you and me, still want to believe in Santa. he brought me some really cool toys back then. Appreciate your visiting with us and taking in the video today my friend.

[@saeidkharrat4397]

I TAUGHT MY JOB IS HARD .WHEN I SAW YOUR VIDEOS I CHANGED MY MIND. HONEST AND HARD WORKING AMERICAN PEOPLE. LOTS OF RESPECT AND LOVE

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Saeid for taking the time to visit with us and share the nice words. We really appreciate your watching the video my friend.

[@petezapadka]

Dave, that is absolutely amazing! I never imagined you had to bend the rail, or even that it COULD be bent. And what a mess you have to work in . . . thank you for another great train teaching moment!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Pete for the really nice comment. We've been bending rail like that here from the beginning, it's actually no big deal, just another day at the office... LOL Always is a pleasure to have you visit with me my friend.

[@cncpgreatlakesdiv4896]

THX DAVE THAT WAS AWESOME BAD DAY TO BE WORKING OUTSIDE LOL 😊😊☝☝STAY SAFE,

[@ccrx6700]

It's like the US Postal Service the mail and the trains must go through despite rain, snow or sleet....LOL Thanks so much for visiting with us and watching my friend.

[@PlanetMojo]

Thanks for the informative video Dave! I one saw a video of rail crews dropping-off very long welded rail, and was surprised at how it looked like spaghetti it was so flexible! It wobbled and twisted all over the place! It's real interesting to see how it's done with individual sticks like this - the way it was done the first hundred years or-so on the main lines, and lives on on the numerous short line railroads throughout the country 😊

[@ccrx6700]

Very glad you enjoyed. it is amazing how flexible rail is, specially the CWR on those long trains how they take it thru so many curves on the cars. Actually bending rail is fairly easy. We lucked out with the grapple truck there, we seldom have that luxury and have bent rail by hand since the beginning here. Checked out the laser tapes on Ebay, quite a variety and reasonably priced, not sure yet which one I will get, but I will get one, have a day off Thursday so will do more research on them then. Also with the great flexibility of the rail, specially when it's hot outside, now you know why I don't tamp in hot weather, that rail can go pretzle shape on me in a heartbeat.

[@michaelclutton8446]

I was amazed that you bent the rails by hand with a bar, I expected some big hydraulic machine Regards Mike🇬🇧

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Mike for the really nice comment and for taking the time to watch. Actually rails bend pretty easy, the warmer the day the easier they bend also. Happy rails to you until we meet again my friend.

[@kenbtheman]

Great video Dave. I was just telling some friends of mine a few days ago that rail was bent by hand. They didn't believe me. Now I have the proof to show them. Keep the videos coming. 👍

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you so much Ken. Glad you got some "proof" now to show you friends. We've been bending rail like that from the beginning here. We don't very often get the help of a grapple truck tho. That made it nice. Actually it's not that difficult to bend rail by hand. Confession that I've never told anyone before: When I first started way back on RR, I thought all rail for our track was purchased with the curvature in it. Boy was I wrong about that!

[@mikeharrington5256]

Love your enthusiasm!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Mike, glad you are enjoying. We certainly appreciate your taking the time to tune in and watch the home movie today my good man.

[@mikeharrington5256]

@@ccrx6700 Dear sir, I always dreamed of working on the RR. I used to live in Brooklyn NY, in the 60's and 70's. We had one freight line through Flatbush, was the LIRR branch but ran the old New Haven electrics. Finally chsnged to Penn Central and now, I think its the NY and Atlantic. Anyway, we lived on a dead end right up against the tracks. I got to know the engineer and he wound up letting me drive that switcher all the way from Flatbush to Bay Ridge and back. Greatest part of my childhood. Again, thanks for the vids and I admire your happy go lucky attitude!

[@opieshomeshop]

No fun working in cold rain. The only job I ever had where I had to work in the rain was when I was in the army. We had rain gear but for some reason we still ended up soaked under it all. Kudos to you for doing such a tough job in cold rain. 🌧☔

[@ccrx6700]

It's like the US Postal Service the mail and the trains must go through despite rain, snow or sleet....LOL I guess that also goes for the US Army! Yep, wear a rain suit and you get wet from the sweat instead of the rain. Thanks so much David for visiting with us and watching my friend.

[@davidimhoff2118]

First video I've seen of yours. You remind me of my dad. Passed in 2015 but when he was younger he had the same kind of laugh and spunky personality.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the compliment David. Glad I could help bring back some fond memories. My dad also passed in 15. Appreciate your dropping by and watching the video today my good man.

[@captainkeyboard1007]

You are the first railroad "expert" who taught how running rails are bent. I have wanted to know it for a very long time since the 1960s decade. Thank you for a well-informative lesson. I hope and pray that Gracious Great God will continue to bless you in health even in wealth, your railroad ventures, and your other goals in life. Happy Railroading!🚂

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the nice comment Captain Keyboard. Most folks didn't know that rails were field bent or if they were, how to do it. So glad you and a lot of other folks got informed. Many transit systems have very sharp degree curves and on those the rails are sold as pre bent. But on most freight RR's this is the way we bend the rails to fit a curve. Pretty cool stuff. I'm living my goal in life and that is to be a railroad educator.

[@captainkeyboard1007]

@@ccrx6700 Your show reveals the things that seem to be secret because passengers do not get chances to watch track and signal maintenance work. You are welcome and thank you for typing to me as well as your audience.💙

[@ccrx6700]

@@captainkeyboard1007 😊👍

[@captainkeyboard1007]

@@ccrx6700 ⭐🌟

[@mikewoodbury7248]

Dave that was awesome! Thank you for showing us how to repair rail. Working with you must fun your always in good spirits even if it’s not the best of situations! Wish my guys could have that type of mentality!!!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you so much Mike for the awesome comment. So very glad to hear you enjoyed it. We very much appreciate your paying us a visit and checking out today's home movie my friend.

[@donaldpeters9103]

I worked for the railroad for 38 yrs. I loved getting out of bed every morning to work for the railway. Like Dave I love trains and just being on the track. I have worked for and with fellas like Dave and it sure makes a great atmosphere to work in and just adds to the pleasure getting out of bed and going to work. They really earn your respect. You are a very respectable, intelligent, hard working, kind sole!!

[@mikewoodbury7248]

I work in the cranberry industry and we have a great group of guys that love there job. I try to stay positive and humble and set good examples for my underclassman so there work day isn’t dreadful. We all them days but I always tell myself when the situation is less than ideal I still give try and give myself positive re enforcement. Farming in New England is a challenge everyday when you’re at mother nature’s mercy. Thank you for your awesome comment!

[@flapjack413]

Wow, I was expecting to see a big machine with machine driven roller wheels doing all of the work, not a man with a beefy lever! Pretty cool stuff! I get the feeling that you truly love your job, and that's awesome.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the very nice comment Beavus. Glad you enjoyed. Pretty cool stuff isn't it. Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video my friend.

[@richdiscoveries]

That was oddly interesting, thank you for sharing. This is just one of those random things I would think about and wonder, and now I know how it's done

[@ccrx6700]

Your certainly welcome Rich. Very much appreciate your visiting with us and taking in the home movie today my friend.

[@bldallas]

Great video, thanks Dave. This is a really good example of the force multiplier created by a "second class" lever. In this case, the "Fulcrum" (or pivot pont) is the point where the tip of the breaker bar bears against the tie plate, the "Load" is the resulting force at the center of the bottom flange of the rail, and the "Effort" is the force you applied on the breaker bar. Just rough numbers, but if we assume: (1) The distance from the Fulcrum to the Load (bottom rail flange) is 0.05', and (2) the distance from the Fulcrum to the Effort (applied force)is 4.00', The Mechanical Advantage created by the lever is 4.00' / 0.05' = 80. So a 100# Effort (push) on the breaker bar, results in a 8,000# Load of the bottom flange! Physics is amazing!

[@ccrx6700]

Wow those are physics I never knew Bryan, thanks so much for sharing. Glad you enjoyed and we very much appreciate your taking the time to check out the video my friend.

[@DanielPRails]

As always great video. Thanks for throwing it together and sharing it with us 👍

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you so much Daniel for the very kind words. Really glad you enjoyed the home movie tonight my friend.

[@jozefbubez6116]

At age almost 74, this has been quite an education for me. Here in the UK, I think virtually all railway lines are continuous rail and have been since some time in the 60s. If we look carefully in some of our rail terminii, we might see this old track joined with what we call 'fishplates' as the speed is slow with trains coming to a halt. Also, in l'il olde England I have never seen spikes. The rails have always been mounted on chairs and in the old days held in place with wooden wedges, then a mega-scale spring clip of a kind. Keep up the good work! Now we know! Pry it over with a bar(s) and if that isn't enough, here I think they have a hydraulic device of some sort.

[@ccrx6700]

Glad to hear you have found this to be educational Jozef. Yes UK and us do have some differences. A good many RR's in this country have all welded rail and use Pandrol clips instead of spikes to hold the rail gauge. Thank you for taking the time to visit with us and may you have a very good day my friend.

[@valeriebassett3107]

Another fine job and video by Dave! Steve and I love watching your videos. You bring so much to our lives! God bless you and your family.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Valerie. Glad you guys are having a good time with us. Hope you have an '"in" with Santa and can email him about what a good boy I've been this year.... LOL Always is a treat to hear from you my friend. We do appreciate all your wonderful support.

[@marccracchiolo4935]

This one is really surprising to me because I thought you were going to show us some huge machines that heated and bent the rail. To find out you can do it by hand is amazing.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Marc for writing in with the nice comment, glad you enjoyed. Appreciate your taking the time to check out the video and may you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@russelltrupia4479]

Awesome video Dave we always learn something new.👍👍

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you so much Russell. Very glad you found this to be interesting. We really appreciate all your great support of the channel and great comments my friend.

[@darylsmioth1904]

This is one of those magic things you always wondered as a child. Thanks! now I officially know after 65 yrs.

[@ccrx6700]

Glad you enjoyed the show Daryl. One of life's many wonders now solved for you.... :-) Very much appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@Randy-e7y]

👍

[@wtfbuddy1]

Nice video and explanation Dave, hope you didn't catch a chill and curve 2 needs some TLC before freeze up to get rid of the water pooling. Cheers and stay safe

[@ccrx6700]

Yes Pete this section needs some good ballast rehabilitation done to it. This is 10 mph track. We also have a few sections on main at 25 mph which will get done before this section will. It's on the to do list. Always would be appreciated for you to volunteer to come out and start digging away.... :-) Thanks for taking in the video today my good man.

[@rickcooper6817]

Thanks Dave! It's amazing just how much rail will bend. I love to watch a train loaded with continuous rail going thru the curves. Always blows my mind.

[@JV-pu8kx]

In an episode of _Railroad Alaska,_ they were unloading a section of continuous rail. It looked, and behaved almost like a piece of spaghetti!

[@ccrx6700]

Your very welcome Rick. So glad you enjoyed the show and we certainly appreciate your visiting with us to watch my friend. Yes those CWR trains are amazing to watch.

[@tomeasley5979]

Dave, another great video!! Not only do I learn something with every video it is very enjoyable. Keep on bringing the railroad to us! Take care.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you so much Tom, great to find out you enjoyed the rail bending party today. It's always a pleasure to have you join in with us my friend.

[@cedarcam]

Cold wet and windy Uggh. One of those days you are glad all went right on the job. I miss being out trackside but not on that kind of day LOL. Good video. You made lots of people happy seeing how this is done, and done in the old way not all by machines like on the big railroads. Proper old school railroading.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks cedarcam for the very kind comment. Been bending rail with a bar from the beginning here, guess I take it for granted. Am surprised at how well this video has done so far, but then too, guess not very many people actually ever get to see this done. Always love to have you visit and write in my friend.

[@TheyCallHimDietSeth]

Dave, thank you so much for sharing! It always amazes me how stiff rail seems like it must be, then you'll see a length of continuous welded rail sitting on the ground next to a mainline and it looks like a wet noodle. Really fascinating stuff! You guys are a tough bunch, too, working through the cold and rain like that... gotta keep the trains going, though! Nice to see and hear the train running through once you got that new stick in. I miss hearing those sounds in person... Thanks for sharing, my friend. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Seth. Trains like the US Postal service, gotta go thru no matter the weather.... LOL Thanksgiving dinner was great, thanks to a special gift of maple syrup from a good friend!

[@gogetthegoose1]

I Appreciate the video. It's great to see the specifics of how those sticks are replaced. I would live to see more. Thanks again

[@ccrx6700]

Glad you enjoyed the home movie today gogetthegoose. Wish I could have taped more, but it's not fair to the other guys working for me to be standing there taping while they are doing all the work, but I know you understand that. Appreciate so much my friend for your taking in today's home movie.

[@cameronmccreary4758]

I love watching this show! One can bend the rail to the curve but are you going to show us how to do a differential curve? Thank you very much Dave for showing us the bending of this curve type.

[@ccrx6700]

Glad you are enjoying the home movies. Really appreciate your stopping by and watching. PS; I'm a railroader, not a calculus teacher.... :-) I'll watch the video you put out on that when you do it Cameron.

[@spayced]

I think he means a curve that goes left and then back right again. A good question would be whether such a thing is even done within 1 piece of rail.

[@okeefer2000]

With peace and love, you look to me like, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, from the original Dune movie, 1984. Played by Kenneth McMillan. Love your videos.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks, have no clue who he was but I'm sure he got paid better! LOL Very glad to hear you are having a good time with us Thomas. We certainly appreciate your great support of the channel my friend.

[@johnsmart964]

Thank you very much for this very interesting video presentation which is very much appreciated by the people. It is always fascinating to see how it's done as far as track maintenance is concerned, the work that you and the team do in all weathers is very impressive.

[@ccrx6700]

Your certainly welcome John. Thank you so much for watching. Always is a pleasure to have you join with us my friend.

[@Meriphistimo]

Well there you go. On one level I knew rails had to be bent to go around a curve, I never wondered how it was done. I never would have thought it could be done by hand. Thanks for the explanation Dave. Once again you've kept it simple for people like me with no knowledge whatsoever about what you do, and don't worry about lack of footage - keeping the trains on the tracks is more important than me needing to understand all the detail! 👍

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Meriphistimo for the very nice comment, glad you enjoyed. Really appreciate your dropping in on us and checking out the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@TRAIN_MASTER_X-844]

This is cool!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Train Master. Very glad you enjoyed tonight's home movie. We very much appreciate your joining in with us my friend.

[@Bmg009]

This is amazing, I can’t believe I never even wondered about this until I seen the video. Idk why but it never crossed my mind about curves and bending rail. U definitely learn something new everyday thanks!!

[@ccrx6700]

Glad you enjoyed finding out something new Dan. Thanks so much my friend for checking out the video.

[@Milepost1965]

Hello Dave and it's good to see you back from your vacation I hope you had a blast. My question is about how much maintenance is required for a streight track vrs a section of track with curves, it's my understanding track with bends and curves requires more maintenance. (So good to have you back and I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving).

[@Milepost1965]

You never responded??

[@gutterguru7158]

@@Milepost1965 I’m a track maintainer for Canadian National. To answer your question curved rail requires more maintenance most of the time because there is more resistance in a curve train speed is reduced in curves. But Proper super elevation and gage reduces maintenance.

[@Milepost1965]

@@gutterguru7158 Thank you for you response and I'm wondering what those metal plates are called that you sometimes see on one side of the rail, they go all the way down until it straightens out. I believe that are from support so the rail doesn't move

[@ccrx6700]

Yes Donnie, curved track gets a lot more pressure on it from car wheels than does tangent track. One of these days will make a video showing what we call curve wear on the inner edge of the rail head on the outside rail. Car wheels flanging thru a curve is like taking a grinder to the rail and beveling it. Hope you turkey day was good also. I stuffed myself, but no real surprise there.... LOL

[@Milepost1965]

@@ccrx6700 if heard some railfans refer to that as a shave and a hair cut, the flange rubbing on the inner rail going around curved tracks. They start getting thin after a while.

[@brentmiller3951]

I worked outside from 14 to 46 I started doing finish work on high end buildings. I respect you guys out there 40+ hrs a week no matter the weather .I don't miss it though

[@ccrx6700]

Anyone who works out in the elements deserves respect Brent. Thank you for the very nice comment. We are very grateful for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the rail bending video my friend.

[@jasonpoole2093]

Yet another nice video! On a curve, which rail experiences the worst wear--inner or outer? Or, is the wear about equal?

[@mattunlimited1232]

The outside (or high side) experiences the most wear due to centrifugal force pushing the wheels into the outside of the curve. It will actually wear the head to match the radius of the flange. To mitigate this you would usually super elevate the outside so it's higher than the inside. Similar to a racetrack same principal. Depending on the amount of stock you run on the track you could also install a greaser to add grease to the flanges as they pass this will cut down on wear for both the rail and the wheels. They are quite expensive though so you'd usually see that for tight curves with high traffic.

[@ccrx6700]

Most generally Jason the outside rail does. Over the years here we've replaced far more rails on the outside than the inside rails in a curve. That is the "steering" rail for the cars so it gets more pressure applied to it. Thanks for writing in and watching my friend.

[@joshuam.6404]

Wow I had no idea that’s how the rails get fitted into curves, thanks for showing us!

[@ccrx6700]

Your certainly welcome Joshuam. Thank you so much for watching. Always is a pleasure to have you join with us my friend.

[@willb.383]

Fantastic video, Dave! Thanks for answering a question of mine (and others) from several videos ago! The visuals were great. One follow up question. Does the rail pretty much stay bent to that curve you set or is the stick always trying to spring back to a straight position?

[@beeble2003]

It'll always try to spring back to straight. You have to bend metal pretty severely (or with heat) to permanently deform it.

[@ccrx6700]

Your certainly welcome Will. Thank you so much for watching. Always is a pleasure to have you join with us my friend. If you noticed on the rail we took out on curve 11 that the rail had a slight bend to it. It was not exactly straight as a new stick would be. That was an 11 degree curve and the rail had been in there since 1975. So even the rail we took out on curve 2 at 14 degrees had a slight bend to it after it was taken out (I did not show that), but the rail did try to go back to more of it's original straightness, just didn't make it all the way. So yes it does try to spring back, but in those high degree curves doesn't make it back to original straight.

[@marklythall8712]

Watching from Australia. You explain things well and your videos could be used in TAFE teaching courses. Thanks also to your employer for letting you do this. So many managers would shut you down with concerns over privacy, commercial in confidence ,OH&S etc etc. hope I don’t jinx your efforts by saying this.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the nice comment and glad you are enjoying the home movies Mark. Yes we are lucky they allow me to video here, but we have nothing to hide. Really appreciate your taking the time to check out this video and may you have a very good day my friend.

[@rustyc521]

Dave,this question has more than likely been asked a few hundred times. However,how do you know what to set the rail joint gap spacing (opening) at? Is there a formula for setting the gap? Also sir,how do you kiwi what radius a curve is? Degree I’m sure is easy to figure,but how do you figure the radius? I’ve also heard you mention a time number or something when it comes to a curve. Could you explain a little more in that sir? Greatly appreciate your time! Also please keep the awesome videos coming sir! RC

[@thomaspinnick5796]

It's set by the ambient temperature at the time.

[@rustyc521]

@@thomaspinnick5796 understood. Is there a chart or formula that gives you the gap spacing for a set temperature? I know it’d be wider on hot days and closer if not closed completely on cold days.

[@ccrx6700]

Rusty good questions. 1. Here over the years we have found that for our 16 miles of jointed track and uni directional loads that the train pulls the ideal gap between rails is 3/8 of an inch, this being at rail neutral temperature. (Temp that the rail is neither under expansion or contraction, generally 45 degrees to 65 degrees ambient temp) There is no engineering chart or table that I have ever seen that provides gap spacing. 2. Using the term radius was not a good thing for me to say, I should have said follow the curvature of the curve. Radius is the length of a line between the center of a circle to it's perimeter. To find the degree of curvature a 62 foot string line is set up along the inside of the rail head on the outer rail, then measure at mid ordinate the inches from the rail head out to the strong line. For RR work that is close enough, for NASA shooting a rocket to the moon there is a complex mathematical formula to get exact degree. 3. The time number I believe your referring to is the curve number. All our curves are numbered starting at the far west end, so this was curve #2 on our track. Hope that all helped.

[@rustyc521]

@@ccrx6700 Thank You so much Dave for the response! You answered all my questions! Merry Christmas sir to you and yours!🎄🎄🎄🎅🎅

[@ccrx6700]

@@rustyc521 👍😊

[@johncloar1692]

Dave my friend not a sunny day but I know the work must carry on. Thanks for the video, it takes a lot of dedication to make video on a day like that.

[@ccrx6700]

RR like the US Mail, neither rain nor sleet.....will stop us....LOL But my dad always said, into every life a little rain will fall. Very much appreciate your joining us today for the rail bending party my friend.

[@irongoatrocky2343]

Dave anytime you bring us the behind the scenes of the railroad is a good video no matter the conditions! we all know that railroad maintenance crews are like electrical lineman crews....... they work in all kinds of weather conditions as well!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you my friend for the very nice comment. It's always a treat to have you visit with us and write in my friend. We do appreciate all your wonderful support of the channel.

[@Arkay315]

I think we all could benefit from a slate bar

[@ccrx6700]

Christmas is coming Arkay and I know you've been a good boy this year so there very well could be a nice slate bar under the tree for you. Doubt if it will be a stocking stuffer tho....LOL Thanks so much my friend for paying us a visit tonight.

[@jaysmith1408]

Great to see y’all doing things the tried and true method. If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it. Added note is that given rail is often delivered trackside by rail, it would by necessity have to bend with the train. Not of concern in your area, as I’d imagine everything has to be trucked or barged in.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much jfsa380 for the nice comment. We do appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and check out the rail bending video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@Hyrev1]

Wow!..and here I thought heat would have been involved..ya learn something every day! Thanks for another informative video Dave! 👍🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃👍

[@ccrx6700]

Your certainly welcome Hyrev1. So glad you enjoyed. We very much appreciate your taking the time to watch and write in today my good man.

[@brianhickey5949]

Interesting that the job is done manually. I am glad it isn't overly taxing physically, but doing the work in the poor weather takes some level of dedication for sure :) I did see that the joint between the new and the existing rail was flexing, so I assume there is some tamping and possibly cribbing to do. Just as I typed this - you said it in the video - LOL! It is good to see how well it works when the train rolls over the new sections flawlessly. Thanks for filming all of this live in the weather!

[@ccrx6700]

It's like the US Postal Service the mail and the trains must go through despite rain, snow or sleet....LOL Thanks so much Brian for visiting with us and watching my friend.

[@richardaustin2640]

You must of known something Dave. Stuck in hospital with a severe rash that's driving me round the bend, so the video was rather appropriate! Always nice to have something else to focus on 🙂

[@ccrx6700]

Hope you are doing much better now Richard! Good to hear you enjoyed the video and we certainly appreciate your watching my friend.

[@robertdees2150]

Do whatever you need to do Dave, your videos are always appreciated.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Robert, always is a pleasure for me hearing these videos are appreciated. That was very thoughtful of you to write in and say that.

[@truthteller8459]

Growing up in the 1970's i lived close enough to the train tracks in a small town in Texas every time I heard a train horn I would ride my bike as fast as I could to watch the Cotton Belt trains come thru town. Back then I thought the Cotton Belt ran all over the U.S.A but researching it years later found out it ran maybe 150 miles.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks for sharing your story with us truthteller. Something about trains and being young, always is an attraction. Very much appreciate your tuning in to the channel and watching the video my friend. Keep on watching those trains! :-)

[@davechapman7735]

we learn something new every day Dave thanks to people like you taking time to show us. grear work Sir cheers again from NZ..

[@ccrx6700]

Really glad you found this interesting Dave. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit with us and may you have a very good day my friend.

[@annettelaurence5716]

Brilliant video as usual Dave, Thanks for making and sharing it. Just the right length for dinner again!!🙃

[@ccrx6700]

Glad you enjoyed Annette. When I retire, I would love to visit the UK, have made several friends there from this YT thing. When I do, sure would be nice if you'd invite me for one of your famous home cooked meals! We can eat and watch a video together and make fun of me while we're watching!

[@garykuipers2696]

I give you a lot of credit for working under some adverse conditions. I see that you'll have some work cut out for you on that sloppy section. Another great instructional video.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Gary. You know railroading is like the US Postal Service. The mail must go through and the trains must go thru no matter what the weather. You've been there done that. Always is a great pleasure to have you visit with me my friend.

[@danmathers141]

You have a good day also. Having to work in that slop makes your job unpleasant. Thank you!

[@ccrx6700]

It's like the US Postal Service the mail and the trains must go through despite rain, snow or sleet....LOL Thanks so much Dan for visiting with us and watching my friend.

[@Armysniper360]

Raw and uncut, love that. You obviously love your job! I'm amazed that a single rail, can flex so much, yet hold the weight of a freight train. Amazing. Subbing for sure. Thanks Dave

[@ccrx6700]

Very glad you enjoyed SRT. Yes I do love my job, railroading is the central preoccupation of my life sir. Appreciate your subbing and for taking the time to check out the video and write in my new friend.

[@tuna22lm]

I love all of the different types of railroadin equipment they're pretty cool to watch in operation.

[@ccrx6700]

You and me both, it's amazing what all RR equipment is out there and how they are all designed and the job they do.

[@Boilermaker-Rick]

Great video on how you bend rail Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Rick. Glad you could take the time to tune in and check out the video tonight my friend.

[@earllutz2663]

I am not a railroad worker but I very much enjoyed your explanation of bending rails. You seem to have a pleasant personality with a nice smile & laugh. I have subscribed & look forward to more videos.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the nice comment and for subbing Earl. Great to have you with us and hope you will continue to enjoy the home movies my new friend.

[@bonnieclarkson5674]

I am trying to write a short story where a railroad crew member shares memories. I needed ideas for his memories since I know nothing about trains. I watched a video on how rails are replaced. It was very, very automated. Sunny day. They had a machine that could flex a steel rail like a wet noodle. The workers wore white pants! Your video sounds more realistic. I assume you do not wear white pants. Thank you for ideas for his memory.

[@ccrx6700]

No I do not wear white pants Bonnie. Real railroading is a bit dirty at times....:-) Your welcome for the video and glad you got some ideas from it. Thank you so much for taking the time to check out the how to bend rail video my friend.

[@kg4muc]

Nice looking tool you engineered!!! Sometimes it’s manpower only available and anything you can do to make it easy I’m sure is appreciated! Thanks for the info

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks. Really appreciate your joining in with us for the rail bending party today my friend.

[@paleggett1897]

Looked like what we used to call an ‘otter day’ You know those days where otters would love to play in those conditions; and most everyone else would believe it ‘oughter’ do something else❣️

[@ccrx6700]

Fortunately we don't have to work out in the rain very often, snow is a different thing. Thank you so much for stopping by and taking in the video my friend.

[@beverlymichael5830]

I did not know it was that easy to bend rail. Working in that slop did not look like fun. Stay safe out there. Thanks for the video.

[@ccrx6700]

Your certainly welcome Beverly. Thank you so much for watching. Always is a pleasure to have you join with us my friend.It is amazing how flexible rail really is. We've been bending rail like that here since the beginning, it's no big deal.

[@familycornell8866]

Curve 2 sure needs to be cribbed out and new rock put in and tamped. It sure is holing the muck and coal fines. Great video.

[@ccrx6700]

it sure does need cribbed. We got a big shut down coming in the winter so maybe we can get to it then. We shall see. Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks so much for checking it out my friend.

[@texaswonderer5564]

That looked like a good job bending the rail. I guess rain is better than snow. 70 and sunny would of been better.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Texas Wonderer. We certainly appreciate your paying us a visit today and watching my friend.

[@mrdarbab]

if you need a tunnel just draw one on a cliff wall and that should work. I saw it in a few cartoons. I hope this helps. My dad used to work the rails back in the 50's actually. walked on top while they were moving. I don't know if thats even allowed now.

[@ccrx6700]

Yes it worked really well for Wylie Coyote Darren. Roadrunner never missed a beat going thru those tunnels.... LOL. Really appreciate your watching the video and writing in. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@morse2795]

Wow, that sure is amazing that you can bend that heavy piece of steel with a bar like that Dave. I used to wonder how they would do the curves laying track. Your videos are sure fun to watch and highly educational.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the very nice comment. Rail is pretty flexible, it's amazing. This is how we've been putting rail in curves since the beginning here, it's really not any big deal. Appreciate your taking the time to stop by and watch today my friend.

[@garymessina1609]

Great video great informative video thanks Dave

[@ccrx6700]

Glad you enjoyed the video Gary. We certainly appreciate your taking the time to watch and write in my good man.

[@01ripkirby]

That track needs some love. Probably some new ballast and a lift when tamping. good work, boys

[@ccrx6700]

It is track used only for when they load the train so the speed is about walking speed as they are loading the train. But it does need some ballast rehabilitation for sure. Problem is getting to do it. We have sections of our track that is 25 MPH that needs work done to it before we can devote time to a 5 MPH track. Only so much we can get done here with only 2 track men to work track plus having to work around trains running. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the rail bending video.

[@Steven72160]

Gandy dancers. I did rail work for a few years back in the late 70's. We did rail siding maintenance. Places like grain elevators, different companies. We also removed abandoned rail roads & sidings. Its a tough way to make a living. Dirty hands, clean money 🇺🇸

[@ccrx6700]

Your right about that Steven, hard work but it's good work and you feel good at the end of the day. Thank you so much for taking the time to check out the video my friend and may you have a very good day. And, if you haven't already done so, check out my second channel with more cool railroad videos and other stuff I get into on it. Your the kind of person I would love to have as a subscriber to it. www.youtube.com/@ThatsDavesOtherDoings

[@Steven72160]

@ccrx6700 thanks Dave I'll subscribe to both channels. It brings back some good memories. I'm 64 now stage 4 cancer. But still enjoy watching. Thanks for making & sharing your videos. From Ohio BTW 🇺🇸

[@ccrx6700]

@Steven72160 thank you Steven for the subs. We will keep you in our prayers my friend and keep us posted on how your doing.

[@hootinouts]

I love these videos. Always loved trains. I am a machinist and now work in the engineering field so this sort of stuff is fascinating to me. I'd have though those rails were rolled into a curve but now I learned something new today.

[@ccrx6700]

Really glad to hear that hootinuts. Thank you very much for taking the time to tune in and check out the video and may you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

YUK, Just pure YUK. Wet, Mud and slop. This is what I couldn't stand working in but we had to do it every so often. I have done this many of times in my career. Nice video once again Dave. Have a great rest of your evening.(Steve)

[@ccrx6700]

It's like the US Postal Service the mail and the trains must go through despite rain, snow or sleet....LOL Thanks so much Steve for visiting with us and watching my friend.

[@juancintron5215]

Mr. Dave I love the videos, I worked as track labor B&O RR 1960. and I did the job same way you have explained fascinante.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Juan. Glad you enjoyed the show. How cool you worked B&O! Awesome, wish we could sometime get together and I'd be all ears listening to your RR stories!

[@edp2260]

You make it look so easy. I always wondered how the 'straight' rail gets curved!

[@ccrx6700]

It is fairly easy to do Ed. Amazing how flexible rail really is. Very much appreciate your taking the time to watch and write in today my friend.

[@johnwaby4321]

Seems like your on a never ending job ..good job you have gotba good repairs team 👍👍👍👍

[@ccrx6700]

Always something to do here on the RR John and a lot of variety we get into too. Glad you could stop by and watch the rail bending party.

[@peterfrazer1943]

Good video, I enjoyed it. You certainly picked a miserable day to have to do a job like that but you kept smiling. I worked in Ship Repair and can sympathize with you when it's damp wet and cold. You have my subscription. All the best to you and your " Gang" and greetings from the UK, keep them rolling.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Peter for the really nice comment and for subbing. We very much appreciate your taking the time to watch and write in. Hope you will continue to enjoy the home movies my new friend.

[@Carlos-qz7ul]

These guys are awesome! 👍 Not always working under the best conditions ! Take care! ❤

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the very kind words Carlos. We really appreciate your taking the time to check out the video and write in my friend.

[@peterfong2241]

Blessed love my brother, great video as usual bro, watching from Jamaica west Indies !!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Peter for taking the time to check out the presentation my friend. We really appreciate your visiting with us.

[@richardjayasinghe7238]

Thanks Mr.Bob I learned something. I agree with others comments.I am sorry for do like on my time. Have a great day to you and your team.

[@ccrx6700]

your welcome Richard, very glad you enjoyed. We certainly appreciate your tuning in and watching the video tonight my friend.

[@dezertraider]

VERY COOL,NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT BENDING RAIL...COOL....STAY WELL

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks, so glad you enjoyed the show. Really appreciate your taking the time to stop by and watch my friend.

[@ZachHart-jn8gr]

Thanks for another great video Dave. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

[@ccrx6700]

Certainly welcome, very glad you enjoyed and to have you visit with us my friend.

[@lewistodd9242]

Boy Dave that reminds me of putting up one inch conduit in a circular building. Had to use twice the required anchors and formed it to the walls. I have always wondered how you did something as heavy as rail. Have a great day my friend.

[@ccrx6700]

They have a conduit bender here Lewis, can't imagine how you would bend that stuff without one unless it was over a long distance to make the bend. Always is a pleasure to have you visit and write in my friend.

[@johnpyke4537]

Al Jolson would say, Always leave them wanting more. You leave us wanting more. John Pyke, , Michigan

[@ccrx6700]

I'm glad that you want to keep coming back John. We certainly appreciate all your great support of the channel my friend.

[@larrysierens1029]

I love watching your videos I always learn something new I'm always wondering how things are done

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Larry, glad to hear you are having a good time with us. We certainly appreciate your watching and writing in my friend.

[@declanmoran1894]

Wow, Looks like a simple task but also hard work I'd imagine. Great stuff thank you . I'd watched this being done for our national railroads on similar curve but was done on a machine that appeared to run on rails laid outside of mainline track but then again I didn't really know what I was looking for or at 😂

[@ccrx6700]

Glad you enjoyed Declan. We've bent rail with bars here by hand since the beginning. Not very often we've had a grapple truck to help. Appreciate your visiting with us and taking in the show my good man.

[@RockymountainRobert]

This was interesting to watch and learn how you guys bend those rails, nice work.

[@ccrx6700]

Very glad you enjoyed the home movie today Robert. We very much appreciate your tuning in and watching my friend.

[@mikemissel7785]

Great video again Dave and we used to say in the military if it ain’t raining we ain’t training.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Mike, glad you enjoyed. Military like railroad, don't matter if it's raining or not, the war and the trains must go on. Always is a pleasure to have you join us and write in my friend.

[@sungukyun2608]

I wish I loved my job as much as this man.

[@ccrx6700]

It's not much fun to go to a job you don't really like. I'm lucky to have a job that I am passionate about, I too once used to dislike going to work before I became full time on the RR here. Thanks for taking the time to tune in and watch today my friend.

[@Bobbr3]

I discovered your channel today. Wonderful! Fascinating! I appreciate your insight and enthusiastic approach in your presentations. Please know how much I and others are grateful to you for your efforts in sharing this extraordinary information. Outstanding! God Bless You!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the very nice comment Bob. Glad you are finding the videos to be pleasing to you. Appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video. May you have a very good day my friend.

[@Bobbr3]

@@ccrx6700 I was born and raised in Scranton, a city built on railroading. My paternal grandfather worked in the railroad machine shops in Scranton, and my maternal grandfather worked on railroad loading docks in Scranton. I can honestly say that I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for the railroads. I am totally aware of how vital railroads have been to the USA, and I know how much hard work, done by men like you, goes into keeping the railroads operating. Sincere thanks! God Bless!

[@ccrx6700]

@Bobbr3 excellent we were at steamtown 3 years ago. Scranton one clean town 👍😊