How to Set a Hi Rail Pickup Truck on and off the Track

We will show you how I set my hi rail pick up truck on and off the track
in today's video.
I will do another video at some point on how to set my big hi rail truck
on and off the track. With both trucks you have to get the rear wheels
pretty much centered over the rail head. The pickup truck is more critical
to get them centered. Also both trucks are driven on the rails by the rubber tires. The hi rail gear just keeps the trucks on the track and steers the trucks
just like the truck sets do on a freight car.
Made November 15, 2023
Disclaimer: I am an employee of Iron Senergy at Cumberland
Mine. My job is railroad track maintenance. I am very fortunate to
have this job and everyone at the mine is very fortunate to have
Iron Senergy as it's current owner. Our past owners had every
intention of shutting this mine down, but Iron Senergy took
over and have kept this mine alive.
Please understand: I am NOT in any way an official or unofficial
spokes person for Iron Senergy or Cumberland Mine. Any viewpoints,
opinions or anything that I show in the videos, or write in the video
descriptions or any answer to any comment, should NEVER be
misconstrued or interpreted as being in any way shape or form,
any kind of official or unofficial statement from Iron Senergy,
Iron Cumberland, Cumberland Mine, any of the mine's management,
any of the contractors that may be shown in any video, nor of
any of my fellow co-workers.
Any viewpoints or opinions I may make in the videos, in the
descriptions, or in any answer to a comment is strictly that of my
own and NOT an official or unofficial statement or viewpoint that
Iron Synergy or any one at Iron Senergy or Cumberland Mine
necessarily has or makes.
Again, we are very fortunate to have Iron Senergy as our current
owners. Please, when making a comment be respectful of Iron Senergy,
Cumberland Mine, my fellow coworkers and also any contractors
that may be shown. Thank You, Dave
#hirailtruck#hirail#hirailpickuptruck

[@Slide100]

A railroad guy I know told me that these are the best thing in the world for going to the bar in the evening, then getting back to the crew train. Can’t get lost. 🙂

[@ccrx6700]

Only 1 of 2 ways to go on the tracks, hopefully he remembered the right way.... :-) We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@pauld.1256]

Love seeing those trucks running the rails.. even more seeing them lining up to set the wheels!! Great video as always Dave.. Thank You !

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome Paul, pleased to know that you enjoyed. We do appreciate the nice comment and for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video my friend.

[@Trains-With-Shane]

Thank you for showing this, Dave! I see CPKC (formally Kansas City Southern) high rail pickups on the rails in my area all the time but I've never seen one when they were leaving or exiting the rails. I've always wondered what the actual process was.

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome Shane, glad you enjoyed. One of our older pick up trucks you had to go out with bars and manually put the hi rail gear down, glad we don't have that one anymore! Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@michaelball760]

Thats nice having controls inside also. We have to get out for all three of our trucks.

[@ccrx6700]

Yes it is Michael, however still have to get behind and see to get the wheels on the track. Just can't see those rear wheels from inside the cab. At least we got hydraulics and don't have to use bars to put the rail gear down like we used to have to do on one of our old hi rail pickup trucks. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@trainman2k]

Add this to the growing list of 'SAVE TO WATCH AGAIN" videos. I'm always anxious to see how things work, and Dave, you are one of the best at taking complicated machinery and making it sound sensible to us 'railroad dreamers'. I have learned volumes of information from you and cannot thank you (and Iron Senergy) enough! May God always be with you and give you safety.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you so much trainman for the really kind words. So pleased that you enjoyed this one. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Great video Dave and it's nice when we started having Hydraulics to set these trucks on. I remember having to do it with a special long bar and having to set the trucks on manually that was a pain in the rear at times especially lining the wheels up to the rail.. Have a wonderful rest of your Friday.(Steve)

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Steve, glad you enjoyed. One of our older pick up trucks you had to go out with bars and manually put the hi rail gear down, glad we don't have that one anymore! Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Your very welcome and thank you very much also. Those trucks were sure a pain.@@ccrx6700

[@theBounder98]

Dave Really interesting and informative. Not many of us know the details of what goes on on a railroad big or small and you’re always there letting us know how things are done. Thank you.

[@ccrx6700]

Your quite welcome Bounder. It was my privilege to be able to share. Thank you so much for the really kind words. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@TonyNaggs]

Pretty cute little hirail wheels. Once upon a long time ago (mid 80s) in one of my first jobs I visited the UK office of a US rail maintenance equipment manufacturer - and was delighted to watch their 4wd excavator engaging it's hirail wheels.

[@ccrx6700]

Excavators are cool to watch getting on and off the rails. We sure could use one here Tony! A lot of folks have asked to see how to put a hi rail truck on and off the track, so it was my pleasure to be able to share with you. We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@johnkelley9877]

This was neat seeing the hi rail truck be taken off and on the tracks. I have learned more about railroads from your channel than any other ones. Thanks for sharing this.

[@ccrx6700]

Your quite welcome John. Thank you so much for the really nice comment, so pleased to hear that you are enjoying your time with us. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@fireballxl-5748]

Thanks Dave, I've always been fascinated by how RR's work. Seeing your smiling face is a joy.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you so much Fireball for the really nice comment. So pleased that you enjoyed this one. Hope this finds you in a very well spirit. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@richardaustin2640]

Very nifty Dave. A great way to get around and as you say, inspect the track. A little more sophisticated than the old days where I've seen pictures of a 1930's era Dodge with railway wheels bolted on! Must have been some ride 🙂

[@ccrx6700]

One of my former videos I showed a picture of a Cadillac the Western Maryland had bought that was equipped to go on the rails for their track crew, that was pretty neat Richard. The old W&W RR here had one of those old trucks you are talking about to ride the rails. A real relic. Too bad it's no longer in existence. A lot of folks have asked to see how to put a hi rail truck on and off the track, so it was my pleasure to be able to share with you. We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@jughead8988]

Here's my video! Thank you Dave I've always wondered how this is done!

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome Jughead, pleased to know that you enjoyed. We do appreciate the nice comment and for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video my friend.

[@larry3064]

Very cool. I've always wondered how that was done. Thanks for sharing.

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome Larry, pleased to know that you enjoyed. We do appreciate the nice comment and for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video my friend.

[@garymessina1609]

Good job Dave showing people how the hi rail works thanks

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Gary for the really nice comment. A lot of folks have asked to see how to put a hi rail truck on and off the track, so it was my pleasure to be able to share with you. We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@clarencewiles963]

All set and rolling 😊 thanks again for the opportunity to ride along.

[@ccrx6700]

Your quite welcome Clarence, my privilege to be able to share it. So pleased that you enjoyed this one. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@lewistodd9242]

Great video Dave. I don't think I could be that precise in getting the wheels aligned. Have a great evening my friend.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the kind words Lewis, my privilege to be able to share it. It does take some practice to get them lined up and sometimes it takes several tries before you get it just right, helps if you have someone back there to watch and help steer you. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@davidbass7593]

I've seen those trucks up and down the railroads and often wondered how that worked thanks for sharing ..without these videos we'd likely never know

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome David, pleased to know that you enjoyed. We do appreciate the nice comment and for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video my friend.

[@shirleymoore7700]

How cool! Thank you for the tutorial, Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

Your quite welcome Shirley, my privilege to be able to share it. So pleased that you enjoyed this one. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@tzadik36]

Thank you for this fine video. A small camera at each rail wheel to show that the flange is properly positioned inside the rail could make matters just a bit easier.

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome Robin, glad you enjoyed. Cameras would be the ticket, however in the winter I'm sure it would be a pain keeping them cleaned. Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@sandymj3w633]

Thanks Dave for filming this. 😉 I've often wondered how a truck gets on/off the tracks. Hope you have a good day too! ☀️🛻👏

[@ccrx6700]

Your quite welcome Sandy, my privilege to be able to share it. So pleased that you enjoyed this one. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch and may you also have a good day.

[@tpobrienjr]

Thanks for the explanation. When I was about 7, we lived in Kingsvile, TX. Next door neighbor was "Mr. Judd", who had a job with Missouri Pacific RR, and parked a Hi-Rail truck in his driveway. Dad explained it to me, but I never got to see a demonstration - until now. That was in 1950.

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome tpobrienjr, glad you enjoyed. Mr. Judd would have liked this video. He probably had a truck like one of our older pick up trucks where you had to go out with bars and manually put the hi rail gear down, glad we don't have that one anymore! Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@PlanetMojo]

Great video Dave! I remember seeing one of these for the first time back in the late 60's or-so. We were walking on the Milwaukee road tracks, and a truck went across the CNW trestle about a half mile in front of us. None of us had ever seen anything like it, and figured the guy was driving on the ties, or he had mad balancing skills! Before seeing a high rail truck, everything we saw was built for tracks. We saw a lot of speeders, which we called "putt putt's' because of the putt putt sound they made. Haven't seen one of them in many years.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Mojo, glad you enjoyed. I like the putt putt, we don't have a speeder here, this truck is the closest we get to one. One of our older pick up trucks you had to go out with bars and manually put the hi rail gear down, glad we don't have that one anymore! Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@thomasgasaway5068]

Its really something to watch a big truck like a Brant material truck put on the rails. Fewer the moves the better...

[@ccrx6700]

Yes it is Thomas. Some guys can set them on pretty well with only a few moves. You do have to get underneath the rear hi rails to put the pins in and out on them tho, sometimes a pain to do. On my bigger hi rail truck I have air controlled pins, just push a knob in and the pins lock in, that is nice. A lot of folks have asked to see how to put a hi rail truck on and off the track, so it was my pleasure to be able to share with you. We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@raymondsprengelmeyer1278]

I always did wonder just how the trucks got on and off, thank you for sharing Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

Your very welcome Raymond. So pleased that you enjoyed this one. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@artillerest43rdva7]

Thank you so much showing us how it works. a friend from church, back in the day had a Conrail hi rail truck he used in his job. I always thought that they were unique, but never knew exactly how it worked. thank you so much Dave for your great explanation and showing how it is done. I want to wish for you all the best! take care and be safe.

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome Barry, glad you enjoyed. I wish I had a Conrail truck!!! That would be cool. One of our older pick up trucks you had to go out with bars and manually put the hi rail gear down, glad we don't have that one anymore! Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@dennisb-trains23]

Thanks for sharing with us Dave. That was pretty neat to see how you get that truck lined up and on ready for action! Stay warm

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome Dennis. So pleased that you enjoyed this one. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@poowg2657]

Great Hyrail tute, enjoyed it much. Thanks Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

Your quite welcome Poowg, my privilege to be able to share it. Thank you so much for the really nice comment. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@warrenfromga9945]

I always wondered how that worked. Most interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@ccrx6700]

Your quite welcome Warren. Thank you so much for the really kind words. So pleased to hear that you enjoyed this one. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@jughead8988]

I figured there would be a more high tech way of lining up the rail wheels then getting out and looking.

[@ccrx6700]

Pretty much the same on my big hi rail truck also Jughead, have to get out and look. Would be pretty cool if I had cameras mounted to see the wheels tho! A lot of folks have asked to see how to put a hi rail truck on and off the track, so it was my pleasure to be able to share with you. We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@Milepost1965]

God bless you Dave, have a yummy Thanksgiving! Thank for being there for all of us.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Donnie for the kind words and may God also bless you and your family. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@Milepost1965]

@@ccrx6700 I never miss the show.

[@kennethfuller8347]

Another cool, informative video, Dave. I've been a railfan for years, and yes, you bring the railroad to us. Thanks, as always.

[@ccrx6700]

Really appreciate your taking in the video Kenneth. A whole lot of folks have asked in the past to see how to set a hi rail truck on and off the rails, so was happy I could make this and share with you. Being a railfan is always a good thing my friend.

[@russelltrupia4479]

Thanks for showing us Dave👍👍

[@ccrx6700]

Your quite welcome Russell. A lot of folks have asked to see how to put a hi rail truck on and off the track, so it was my pleasure to be able to share with you. We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@youknowme8578]

Works like a snow plow, inside control, and outside control. Nice!

[@ccrx6700]

Yes it is nice youknowme to have both options, a lot of small hi rail trucks don't have that. One of our older pick up trucks you had to go out with bars and manually put the hi rail gear down, glad we don't have that one anymore! Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@thomplacier677]

I’m surprised how small the flanges are on the wheels. Looks like they would come off easily. Thanks for once again showing us something unique.

[@chrisquinlan3012]

Lot of work and design goes into the set up of the rail wheel kits .Even goes to the stage of measuring the downward pressure of the rail wheels with scales for load bearing and having Engineered changes to vehicle suspension etc.All good fun !

[@ccrx6700]

They seem to stay on rails pretty good Thom for as small as they are. Actually the flange height is close to the same as it is on my bigger hi rail truck. Wheels are just larger on the big truck, but it carries a lot more weight. That's the biggest problem with the pickup truck is it's light weight that sometimes it will want to climb up over the rail for instance in a turnout. I've derailed this pick up going into a turnout before where the turnout side is a pretty high degree of curvature. Not enough weight to keep it on the rails. We do appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video my friend.

[@realvanman1]

That was really interesting! I love the Velcro steering wheel holder lol. In the operating department, I never had any involvement with MOW. A friend of mine had an incident that resulted in some "disciplinary action", which amounted to spending some time with the MOW crews. He said it was really fun and interesting!

[@alro2434]

You mean Dave job was considered punishment for an indoors, no heavy lifting, desk jockey?

[@ccrx6700]

Glad you enjoyed realvanman. Track work is a lot of fun and a lot of different things to do. Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@onetuliptree]

I saw trucks on the rails in eastern Florida, where they are preparing for high-speed trains, and wondered how the trucks stay on the rails. Thanks Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome Onetuliptree, glad you enjoyed. One of our older pick up trucks you had to go out with bars and manually put the hi rail gear down, glad we don't have that one anymore! Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@pittschapelfarm2844]

Always wondered how! Thanks

[@ccrx6700]

Your quite welcome pittschapelfarm, my privilege to be able to share it. So pleased that you enjoyed this one. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@trenamerritt5344]

Was delighted to see how that's done! I have seen a HI Rail truck parked on a siding, but had no idea how things worked to get them on or off the rails. Well, now I've seen one way! Cool video, and again, thanks for bringing us along.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you so much Trena for the really kind words. So pleased that you enjoyed this one. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@briankemp5206]

Nice demo Dave! Thanks for sharing.

[@ccrx6700]

Your quite welcome Brian, my privilege to be able to share it.Thank you so much for the really nice comment. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@ianhughes7805]

Thanks for another great video Dave. Slight terminology change in the UK as a “high rail” Road Rail Vehicle (RRV) is the type that raises itself up and drive is provided to the rail wheels from the road tyres. The type you have where the drive is road tyres to rails we call a low railer. Great bits of kit great railway

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome Ian, pleased to know that you enjoyed. I've heard that RRV term used before from other commenters. We do appreciate the nice comment and for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video my friend.

[@Bassotronics]

Thank you! Funny thing, I finished making a rail pickup truck last week for my model railroad. Had to 3D print the lil wheels since I could not find any. Works great.

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome Bassotronics, glad you enjoyed. That's pretty cool you made one of these for your model RR. Neat! Guess they don't make a lot of those in model scale? Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@Bassotronics]

@@ccrx6700 At least your truck has a motor system and buttons. I have to set it on the track by hand and it weighs tons! Haha 🤭

[@ccrx6700]

@@Bassotronics 👍😊

[@ericmintz8305]

Thank you for sending me to this video, Dave. Getting the truck on the track looks exacting. In any case, it made for a great bedtime story. You keep well, Sir, and happy rails to you.

[@ccrx6700]

Your quite welcome Eric and glad you found it interesting. Thank you for visiting with us and may you have a very good day my friend.

[@dezertraider]

THANK YOU DAVE..HAVE GREAT DAY

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Ralph for the kind words, my privilege to be able to share it. May you also have a great day. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@jasonbabila6006]

When I worked with a former (retired) track inspector previous years, we’d be rolling at 45 mph but when it comes to inspecting the mainline we would be around 25 mph, some of the hyrail pickup, section boom trucks and the grapple truck I drive have a Velcro pad like that for the steering wheel but we don’t use it.

[@ccrx6700]

I don't use the steering lock on my big hi rail truck either Jason, no need to the wheels are up in the air. A friend of mine who Sperry test rail for NS told me their track inspectors roll along at about 40. We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@jimgomez5396]

Hi dave! Thanks

[@ccrx6700]

Your quite welcome Jim. A lot of folks have asked for this one, so it was my pleasure to be able to share with you. We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@russell3380]

Cool beans, thank you. Some of those trucks scoot along pretty fast here in Central PA. It was pretty white here the other morning too, was a good test for my new boiler and the radiant floor heat, nothing like a warm bathroom floor on a cold morning.

[@ccrx6700]

Warm floors are awesome. We have radiant heat in our house, but I only turn it on during the really cold weather, it sure does make the electric meter spin around fast! Glad you enjoyed the video. Actually this small truck gets better traction on the rails when it's snowy or wet climbing grades than my big hi rail truck does. We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@russell3380]

@@ccrx6700 Thank you. If you didn't post such good RR (etc.) videos, I wouldn't watch, lol. Good work. Not that is is less expensive but mine is oil generated hot water, I think electric would be more expensive. Still have a huge wood pile for help. Keep warm, might be a slushy Thanksgiving, have a happy one.

[@ccrx6700]

@@russell3380 👍😊

[@michaelcase8574]

Thanks, Dave. I was asking you about this just a few weeks ago.

[@ccrx6700]

Your quite welcome Michael. A lot of folks have asked for this one, so it was my pleasure to be able to share with you. We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@KB-gs8zi]

Well Dave !!!! Thanks & if you watched the recovery video that ""Murphy's Diesel "" Did with the 90K High rail truck,, you'll be glad that you Don't have much to worry about on you short RR there !! Be Careful & be ""Safe"" 👍👍👍👍👍

[@ccrx6700]

No I did not see that KB. Those big trucks are sometimes a pain to set on, and you have to crawl under them to put the pins in and out on the rear hi rail gear. The only thing I have to worry about on my short RR is the mud in the tracks we have and it's getting worse with every rain! :-) We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@KB-gs8zi]

@@ccrx6700 Well Dave !!! Since you didn't see the video ,, the bearing on the hi-rail truck went out & they couldn't move the truck any farther to a siding where you could get it off the mainline & had to have a 70 Ton Rotator to raise it off the rails onto a very bad frontage road !!! As far as the mud issue on your RR,, is there springs under the tracks to cause the issue ?? 🤔🙄

[@ccrx6700]

@@KB-gs8zi we had bearing go out on a loaded hrapple truck on a curve, it was ugly. Hulcher had to come to the rescue

[@Arkay315]

Trucking on the tracks.

[@ccrx6700]

You got that right Arkay, it's fun to hi rail down track in this pickup and also my big hi rail truck. I do love to ride track. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@bend8353]

AWESOME. Always wanted more info on your trucks. Finally I find this video! Hope to see the larger one as I work through all the ones I have missed recently. For some reason this "little" railroads operations are soo interesting.

[@ccrx6700]

I haven't made a video exclusively on my bigger truck yet Bend, so don't worry if you don't find it. Glad you enjoyed this one tho. Very much appreciate your taking the time to check out the video on setting a hi rail truck on track my friend.

[@TriGogglin]

Awesome Dave, thanks fir show this to us. Can you tell us what the T handle controls are on the front and back. Awesome video..

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome Pappy, pleased to know that you enjoyed. those T handles are for locking in the hi rail gear, but they don't work on this truck. We do appreciate the nice comment and for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video my friend.

[@randydobson1863]

hello dave it's is randy and i like yours video is cool thanks dave friends randy and super video dave

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Randy for the really nice comment. A lot of folks have asked to see how to put a hi rail truck on and off the track, so it was my pleasure to be able to share with you. We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@stevehoover16]

Awesome video thank you for bringing railroad to us

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you so much Steve for the really kind words. So pleased that you enjoyed this one. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@donnieenfusse9038]

Great video Dave you’re always so informative have a great day

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you so much Donniee for the really nice comment. It was my privilege to be able to share it. So pleased that you enjoyed this one. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@eddiekilby]

Thanks for sharing👍👍👍👍

[@ccrx6700]

You are always welcome Eddie, glad I could share it. So pleased that you enjoyed this one. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@beverlymichael5830]

Never seen that done. Thanks for sharing. I saw in Chicago today a commenter train crashed into rail work equipment that was working on the tracks doing maintenance.

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome Beverly, glad you enjoyed. Hope no one got hurt in that accident! One of our older pick up trucks you had to go out with bars and manually put the hi rail gear down, glad we don't have that one anymore! Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@jontaylor6068]

Awesome video. Thanks

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you so much Jon for the really kind words, my privilege to be able to share it. So pleased that you enjoyed this one. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@chrisquinlan3012]

Been out of the job for a ways but I think the Toyota Landcruiser 4x4 vehicles we had were supposed to obey 80KPH limit......but before there was in cab speed tracking etc in the good ol days third hand stories came out of way way more .Dead straight track no curves and the access roads along the track were very bad so rail corridor was preferred travel option .Large trucks were 60KPH.I used to fit and service Hi-Rail kits ,lot of improvements in set up specs and safety rules over the years but nothings more helpful than a safety conscious operator.Did hear a "story "of one operator who travelled a whole section at speed with only the front set down ,forgot to lower the rear!Cheers Dave

[@ccrx6700]

Seems like that would be pretty hard to stay on track with only front hi rails on Chris. I don't know how to convert KPH to MPH but 80 sounds pretty fast! Some of the Norfolk Southern low railers travel at around 40 MPH so I'm told. A lot of folks have asked to see how to put a hi rail truck on and off the track, so it was my pleasure to be able to share with you. We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@walterfrey7105]

Dave you’ve taught me something I’ve often wondered about. Always a good day when you drop a video my friend!

[@ccrx6700]

Pleased to know that you enjoyed Walter. We do appreciate the nice comment and for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video my friend.

[@ClarkNethers]

Thanks so much Dave! I’ve been waiting quite a while to see that. Can hardly wait the see the big truck. Keep the content coming. I look forward to every video you post.

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome Clark, pleased to know that you enjoyed. We do appreciate the nice comment and for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video my friend.

[@wolfman7393]

Very interesting! It’s great to see how it all works! Thanks for your vids.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you wolfman, great to hear you are enjoying all the home movies. We certainly do appreciate your taking the time to watch them my friend.

[@pcboyne]

This is so cool, thank you Dave!!

[@ccrx6700]

You are certainly welcome Patrick. Lot's of folks have written in wanting to see that done. Appreciate the nice comment and for taking the time to watch how to set a rail truck on my friend.

[@harpintn]

I have seen those trucks numerous times, but I had never seen how they mount and dismount from the tracks.

[@ccrx6700]

Glad that you found out something new harpintn. A lot of folks have asked to see how to put a hi rail truck on and off the track, so it was my pleasure to be able to share with you. We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@zulubravo5733]

Thanks Dave, cool video. It’s on my bucket list to get a ride in a high rail truck

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome zulubravo, glad you enjoyed. I do hope you get your wish someday too! One of our older pick up trucks you had to go out with bars and manually put the hi rail gear down, glad we don't have that one anymore! Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@danielrongo2367]

Impressive cool

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Daniel for the kind words, my privilege to be able to share it. So pleased that you enjoyed this one. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@alkennedy1124]

I seen one of these trucks out here in the past, I asked the guy driving it ,,how did he lock the steering wheel on th rail, they had bolt action locking pine , on the side of the steering column just like a bolt action rifle, kool thanks buddy,happy thanksgiving merry Christmas love the railroading, thanks BigAl California, praise Jesus Christ grace amen 🙏

[@ccrx6700]

That would be pretty cool Al, I would like using that locking mechanism, it would work pretty well I would think. Hope you and family also have a nice Thanksgiving. A lot of folks have asked to see how to put a hi rail truck on and off the track, so it was my pleasure to be able to share with you. We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@MrJeep75]

Thanks for sharing

[@ccrx6700]

Your quite welcome MrJeep, my privilege to be able to share it. So pleased that you enjoyed this one. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@MrJeep75]

@@ccrx6700 love train stuff and learning about it

[@ccrx6700]

@@MrJeep75 👍😊

[@Letsgoexplore2468]

You got the coolest job!!!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Daniel, yes indeed I do, I am blessed. One of our older pick up trucks you had to go out with bars and manually put the hi rail gear down, glad we don't have that one anymore! Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@derrickanderson4932]

Thanks you for sharing with us .

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome Derrick, glad you enjoyed. One of our older pick up trucks you had to go out with bars and manually put the hi rail gear down, glad we don't have that one anymore! Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@garypeterson1920]

Does the rail cause the center of the tires to wear before the outer edges?

[@redeyedmongoose2963]

Are you serious?

[@ccrx6700]

Good question Gary. On this small pickup truck it doesn't seem to affect the tread wear all that much, however we don't use the small truck nearly as much as we do my bigger hi rail truck. On that big truck yes after some time you can see the wear on the center of the tire, but there is a lot more weight on those tires than the pickup truck also. We do appreciate the nice comment and for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video my friend.

[@Hugos7532]

I remember as a kid watching them put their wheels down with a metal bar on all wheels they started with the backs and backed the truck up and then do the fronts and drive on

[@ccrx6700]

Our original hi rail pick up truck had those same hi rail gears, put them down and up with a bar. It actually wasn't that bad to do. Really appreciate your taking the time to watch and may you have a really good day my friend.

[@nolankaplan6646]

Great video and Happy thanksgiving to all at the mine and your family!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Nolan, glad you enjoyed. Hope you and your family also have a happy Thanksgiving. Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@northdetroit7994]

Thanks for the lesson.

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome northdetroit. We do appreciate the nice comment and for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video my friend.

[@robingilmore1444]

Excellent. Thank you

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Robin for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed. One of our older pick up trucks you had to go out with bars and manually put the hi rail gear down, glad we don't have that one anymore! Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@Camping814]

Very cool, thanks for sharing!

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome Kevin, glad you enjoyed. One of our older pick up trucks you had to go out with bars and manually put the hi rail gear down, glad we don't have that one anymore! Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@terryrobertson8382]

Thanks Dave.

[@ccrx6700]

You are certainly welcome Terry. A lot of folks have asked in the past if I would show how to set a hi rail truck on and off the track, happy I could share this. We are very grateful for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the hi rail truck video my friend.

[@kathieharine5982]

Thank you. This is very interesting.

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome Kathie, pleased to know that you enjoyed. We do appreciate the nice comment and for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video my friend.

[@4everdc302]

Dave. We need to get ya some Firestone Duo Rib Planter tires. That will keep it on the rail in the rain🤔😅🙋🚂🇨🇦🇺🇲⛏️👷‍♂️cool operation

[@ccrx6700]

Cool, you know my address, send them on over Doug! It's harder to get this truck on the rails in the rain and snow than my big hi rail truck, but this smaller truck also gets a whole lot better traction climbing grades than the big on does in snowy or wet rails. A lot of folks have asked to see how to put a hi rail truck on and off the track, so it was my pleasure to be able to share with you. We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@davenitsch6094]

Great video and explanation Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you so much Dave for the really kind words. So pleased that you enjoyed this one. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@keithstudly6071]

Last year someone on CSX near me got into a bad accident going down a hill in the rain. I think he couldn't stop with the tires slipping on the rail head. They had to call in a Medevac chopper for him.

[@ccrx6700]

This small truck actually gets a lot better traction on wet or snowy rails than my big hi rail truck does Keith. With my big truck sometimes it takes a long time to get stopped in wet rails, all it wants to do is slide. This little truck climbs grade a lot better on snowy or wet rails and stops a lot better. Sorry to hear about the CSX guy, hope hes all right now. We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@jeffcurtis5460]

Now THIS is the video I've been waiting for! Thanks, Dave! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome Jeff, glad you enjoyed. May you and your family also have a great Thanksgiving. One of our older pick up trucks you had to go out with bars and manually put the hi rail gear down, glad we don't have that one anymore! Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@barbararoberto1258]

Hi mr Dave this was a great video like the way yopu can switch from rail to highway

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Barbara, glad you enjoyed. One of our older pick up trucks you had to go out with bars and manually put the hi rail gear down, glad we don't have that one anymore! Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@JG40061]

Great Video Dave! 👍

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you JG, pleased to know that you enjoyed. We do appreciate the nice comment and for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video my friend.

[@ronchickadel5837]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU & YOURS !!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Ron and may you and your family also have a great Thanksgiving. Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@Stefan_Boerjesson]

Actually high time to go to bed, but what the h--l, can't resist watching Your video. Perfect drone flying weather You show us! Joking! Stay on the tracks! Simple video but very interesting! Thanks! 5 mph looks like clever. Haha, locking the steering wheel that easy. Guess the car has servo steering and low force is enough. No kicks from the track.... Aha. No leaving the tracks at "full speed", on the fly... Joking! No James Bond action.. Handy car! Driving on the conventional road having the Hi-rails dropping down can't be pleasant...... One question: Does the steel wheels only direct, steer, the car on the tracks and the tires and conventional rubber wheels handle acceleration and deceleration? Haha. Entering the tracks... Just like I guessed it would be done. (Former bus/truck driver.) Thanks Dave! Really enjoyed the video!

[@ccrx6700]

You are right Stefan, steel wheels only guide the truck and keep it in the gage. Rubber tires on back propel the truck, same as on my bigger hi rail truck. Someday I may get a drone, have been toying with that idea. Pleased to hear you enjoyed this one. A lot of folks have asked to see how to put a hi rail truck on and off the track, so it was my pleasure to be able to share with you. We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@eugeneellison6479]

Awesome video as always, my brother will get a kick out of this video asxhe loves hi rail trucks

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you so much Eugene for the really nice comment. So glad to hear you enjoyed. A lot of folks have asked to see how this is done so was glad I could share it with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@bradolsen8629]

Dave, you should get one of those for your personal truck and you could really have some fun on your day off or days off

[@ccrx6700]

There you go Brad, now that would be the ticket. I would love to run some of the Norfolk Southern tracks around here, I'm sure they wouldn't mind.....:-) Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@jesse73772]

Great video Dave, About the rain making that ballast crossing hard to set on at: tell them to make you some paved hirail pads!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you and glad you enjoyed Jesse. I have requested many times in the past to get this area at MP 8 concreted, but that will probably never happen. Appreciate very much your taking the time to visit with us and check out the setting a hi rail truck on track my friend.

[@ralphturner3798]

You showed us how to raise the track wheels up and down. It would be nice for you to show us how the truck actually gets off the rails and onto the regular Road

[@Sillyturner]

Just drive it off.

[@alro2434]

Think it'd be pretty much impossible without being on a crossing.

[@Sillyturner]

@@alro2434 Of course. That’s where they always do it. At a crossing.

[@ccrx6700]

Sorry I didn't show that Ralph, you just drive right off the crossing, guess I didn't think about showing that. Appreciate the suggestion for next time. We are very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch.

[@caseybottaro2844]

That’s awesome thanks for the reply and yes love the informative content I’m a train nut 🥜 haha

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you so much Casey for the really nice comment. I'm very pleased to hear you are enjoying the videos. Nothing at all wrong with being a train nut, good for you. A lot of folks had asked me in the past to show how to set a hi rail truck on and off the track, so was happy I could share this one. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@pchris6662]

Thanks for showing us that! I travel for work a lot and I see RR hirail trucks in the hotel parking lots quite a bit. I guess the road crews stay at the same hotel chain as us I dunno. Anyway, I’ve always wondered what it’s like to drive down the track

[@ccrx6700]

You are quite welcome pchris, glad you enjoyed. Lot of RR workers stay in hotels, it's not a good life for a family man. I am lucky get to be home every night. Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@dorothycole8611]

That was most interesting. I have wondered how you do that.

[@ccrx6700]

Glad you found it to be interesting. A lot of folks have asked to see how this was done. We are very grateful for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@user-lb5bd9yk4d]

That will work ❤🇺🇲💪

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for saying that Glenn. Really appreciate your taking the time to watch the video and may you have a very good day my friend.

[@jasonervoes1326]

Hello Great video. Hope all is well with you and your family too. I'm doing awesome. I like to see high rail trucks that goes right from road to rails. I like trains especially freight trains. I like to see the caboose at the end. It seems that the only time you see cabooses at the end of freight trains is just at the state borders for long hauls. Other places they use a caboose once in a blue moon not too often. The deliveries they make are local runs. That's probably why you don't see cabooses that much anymore blah. 😂

[@ccrx6700]

Yes you do see cabooses on some locals Jason, you are right about that. We all miss seeing a caboose on the end of a train, it was romantic. Thank you for the nice comment and we do appreciate very much your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video on setting a hi rail truck on track my friend.

[@melchristian8876]

👍👍

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Mel, glad you enjoyed. A lot of folks have asked to see how to put a hi rail truck on and off the track, so it was my pleasure to be able to share with you. We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@paulbergen9114]

One usually doesn't see them tearing down the main line too quickly for the reasons you mentioned what's the odds of you getting it back on by yourself are pretty slim. I can think back to trucks where is seem to recall they used a crank. Someone had pictures of a Chevy Suburban on a short line that was escorting motor cars and it slid off on a banked curve on a bridge and apparently after a lot of lifting by people finally got back on. For inspections though I still smile thinking about those Checker Cab bodies where six people could ride comfortably

[@ccrx6700]

It would be a pain to get it back on by myself for sure Paul. I've only derailed it once and fortunately had a grapple truck in front of me that lifted it back on. One of our older pick up trucks you had to go out with bars and manually put the hi rail gear down, glad we don't have that one anymore! Lot of folks have asked in the past how to set a truck on the rails, so was glad I could share this one with you. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@waynegarrison2481]

Velcro....who was the genius..lol. thanks Dave

[@ccrx6700]

I don't know Wayne, but it works. Some trucks have a bolt action locking mechanism like is on a rifle to lock the steering wheel in place. My big hi rail truck doesn't need anything because the front wheels are up in the air. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@Aerospace_EdC]

Dave thanks for sharing this, something one doesn't really think about when seeing a truck on the rails. Just wondering, could you have flipped the switch and pull into the siding to let the train go by then back up onto the main track ? Maybe it's not a big deal to do what you did. (edit) Thinking about my comment .... kinda pointless since the subject of the video is How to Set a Hi Rail Truck. So if you did that above then ....... lol

[@ccrx6700]

Yes I could have but it's just about as easy to put the truck on and off the rails Aerospace EdC. We have a clamp on that switch to keep the train from picking the switch, he goes thru there at 25 MPH. So that makes it a bit more harder to take the clamp off and then put it back on than take the truck on and off. If we didn't clamp it then yes it would have been a bit easier. And also as you say, a lot of folks had asked to see how to put a hi rail truck on and off the track. We are so very grateful my friend for your taking the time to watch and write in.

[@Hyrev1]

Very cool of you showing us how that works Dave! I've always wondered how much fiddling around it took to get a high-rail truck all lined up. Do the miles on the rails shorten tire life much?..or isn't there that much pressure on them?

[@ccrx6700]

Good question Jim. On this small truck the rails don't seem to wear much into the tires, but there's not a whole lot of weight on the tires either. On my bigger hi rail truck there is a lot more wear on the center of the inside rear tire that rides the rail. Lot more weight on them on that truck. Sometimes I can get the small truck pretty close without much fiddling around, and sometimes I have to move it around a good bit, luck of the draw I guess. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video.

[@Hyrev1]

@@ccrx6700 Thanks Dave! Have a nice Thanksgiving my friend.

[@ccrx6700]

@@Hyrev1 👍😊 may you also

[@mikefochtman7164]

Thanks for another great video. I see the hi-rail wheels lift the body up a bit. But there is still a fair amount of weight on the 'rubber'?? So you can get a bit of traction to move, right?

[@ccrx6700]

Your quite welcome Mike. You are right in what you said. The truck body picks up a bit but the tires stay on the rails. This truck is rather hard to get on track at times specially in wet or snowy rails my big hi rail truck is easier in those conditions. But this little truck actually gets better traction on the rails than the big one does in snowy or wet rails climbing grade. Very grateful my friend for your taking the time to visit with us and watch the video.