Ribbon Rail Train Working at Woodford

I am, and have been, so very fortunate to have caught so many interesting trains and gangs on the Tehachapi to share with all of you. This time it was the ribbon rail train unloading new rail at Woodford. I was also fortunate to have a UP man there to explain some of the action as it happened and what the plan was for the job.
So, join me for a day with the ribbon rail train!

[@louGriggs1944]

Very interesting. Thank you for sharing.

[@Sven_Okas1967]

Yes, when there is track construction work somewhere in Berlin, I always like to watch. The technology that is partly used there is great. Greetings from Berlin/ Germany. Sven

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you for checking out the channel! I hope you're able to catch the live Q&A/Interaction on either April 2 at 8pm GMT or April 9 at 1pm GMT

[@rayfoley1966]

I'm retired with 40 years too. Happy to come across!

[@johnconnolly6011]

One of the best railroad videos of any channel. Working on the railroad is what I like to see. Like seeing the power but its not how they maintain the rails. 2 thumbs up.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thanks for the kind words! If you haven't seen it, here is the link to my "How Things Work On The Railroad" playlist. Lots of stuff in there! Thanks for checking it out!

[@edinnorthcarolina--ovelhog5786]

Well, I have seen a lot in my 62 years, but that was a first. Thanks!

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I am also 62 and while I'd seen the older type of unloading, this was my first time seeing the Herzog truck guiding it off! Thanks for checking it out!

[@kens.3729]

Never realized they could pull the Rail Off on both sides simultaneously and lay it down alongside existing rail. 👍

[@glennfoster2423]

Ken S. If you think about it, the train is being pulled (we put the locomotives in the place where that Hi-Rail crane truck is and shoved the cars of rail)

[@glennfoster2423]

Ken S. .. So the rail is standing still (as Mark is looking at it) as the train is being pulled out from under the 1440 foot (?) piece(s) of rail

[@ahctranspro1805]

Thank You Mark !

[@ATSFSuperChief]

Much improved from the old days, hand tossing wooden ties and doing stick rails. Thanks Mark.

[@daviddauphin838]

did the hand toss with penn central in the early 70's and hand change out of broken rails - very rough.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I'm not familiar with how Penn Central did things, especially in the early 70's when I was in Jr. High! At SP, they brought 78' sections in gondolas in a work train and unloaded them with a burro crane, but for the most part, ribbon rail was already in widespread use when I hired out in 1979. Thanks for checking it out!

[@daviddauphin838]

@@MarkClayMcGowan When i hired out, we were told to report to mo54 - a tie gang that meant mo being machine operator whereupon we were given stone forks and pickaxes and were told that we were the machines - this all happened because PC was bankrupt - pay was guaranteed by Congress and most banks refused to cash those checks. We had many derailments from the freight yard and sometimes had to let them sit because we were told no overtime was forthcoming. PC had let the track department deteriorate to the point of non-functionality. The gangs were split up to go to either Conrail or Amtrak.

[@captainkeyboard1007]

I relish seeing how welded rails are handled once they are set into place. You were nice to show us how welded rails are unloaded and placed on the roadbed.

[@donsmith7979]

Thanks again Mark.

[@dunsmuir238]

Excellent Mark....Thank you for posting.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you and thanks for checking it out!

[@generost5435]

Thanks Mark. Very interesting, looking forward to when they replace the rail and the pickup of the old rail.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you! Here is the link to the playlist that includes the video of them laying the rail. I haven't been able to catch them scrapping it. They no longer pick it up with the train, but cut it into sections to be loaded on trucks. I think you'll enjoy the rest of these videos as well. kzbin.info/aero/PL6ge3RoxmyvqSrz6HJe2voptS26pnd0lo

[@generost5435]

@@MarkClayMcGowan Thanks Mark

[@randyberger4910]

Very interesting ! Please keep sharing.

[@karenbell9347]

Very good

[@foxs683ss]

Thanks for the video.

[@earlfordham6177]

Great video. Can always see trains but ribbon rail work is fun to watch (and learn)!!!😎😎😎

[@turkfiles]

As always, thank you, Mark!

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

My pleasure!

[@rogerpenske2411]

Very cool video, Mark. I am definitely interested in seeing the machinery and process that removes the existing rail and replaces and fastens the new rail. I’m one of those guys who was always fascinated by the big stuff!

[@Ztbmrc1]

Cool to see! Btw. If you do not know the frequency they are using, there is a small device I got that here: the Optoelectronics Cub MiniCounter. When you are that close to the transmitting radio, it will show the used frequency on the display immediately!

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thanks, I'll check that out!

[@johnscanlon5889]

Better than Golf!

[@jmm2000]

The old school way of unloading rail was a special flatcar with a operator cab guiding the rails attached to steel cables through steel chutes and onto the ground; using welding torches to cut the ribbon rails at certain locations. The RUM is good at eliminating the older procedure of unloading rail but it'll be a little bit better if certain modified cars had the booms and operator cabs to complete this process.

[@timothystrauss3838]

Nice video thanks for sharing with us.

[@rrelectric5159]

Very Interesting!

[@choochooleo]

Wonderful video of getting ready to lay track by dropping it next to where they are planning on doing it. I hope to see the conclusion when they lay it and also later come back to pick up the old one.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I just finished shooting the rail gang laying it and found out it is being cut into short pieces and scrapped out on trucks. Stay tuned!

[@dougkathydavies3024]

Great video, Mark. Very informative. Us 'common folks' don't get to see that every day. Looking forward to the replacement video(s).

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you! I'm tracking the rail gang right now waiting for them to work in an easily accessible area!

[@johnscanlon5889]

Thanks Mark for your video work.

[@paulweston2267]

CWR is amazing stuff.

[@MoparDan]

Mark, funny thing is rail in HO scale is flexible too. Being a model railroader I really enjoyed this video. Now that I have moved to Fort Collins I'm thinking of starting to build a model railroad inside of my home since I no longer have a basement for that purpose. Thanks Mark for your videos and I am a subscriber of your channel.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I'm really glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for checking it out!

[@edwardmcgowan8841]

Great Videos. Stay safe and healthy.

[@w.m.6018]

I‘m really amazed how flexible the rails are, especially when unloading.

[@michaelsommers2356]

Take a look at this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYeUgmx_nMaSadU

[@grahamfrench9874]

Mark. That video was most informative. So many questions were answered. Thanks for the effort you went to in producing it.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

My pleasure! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Go check out my playlists for How Things Work on the Railroad and How the Signal Dept. Works. Lots of info there you may enjoy! Thanks for checking it out!

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

OUTSTANDING footage Mark of them unloading rail. I just captured the CN and their rail train this past Monday in our area doing the same, We had to help the rail train unload rail when it was on our territory when I was section Forman at the CP. This brings back a ton of memories. Thanks very much once again for sharing all this interesting stuff for everyone.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thanks! I'm happy to help rekindle some memories! Thanks for checking it out!

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

@@MarkClayMcGowan Your very welcome and looking forward to more videos from your channel, Have a great rest of your Friday.

[@paulsto6516]

That was fun. Thanks!

[@speedracer3104]

I remember camping by tunnel 1 years back, a WB rail train was coming down, conductor stated that he saw sparks on his side while going thru #2, ran up to # 1, a rail had popped out and was scraping the inside wall of the tunnels! That cured me from going into tunnels while trains were going thru!!!

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Well, you should never go through tunnels without proper on track protection anyway. Very dangerous. Rule #2. Expect the movement of trains at any time, on any track, in any direction!

[@speedracer3104]

This was back in the younger, stupid days..

[@brehkop275]

Wow, that ribbon rail video was super interesting. cant see that everyday thx a bunch

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I'm hoping to catch the rail gang laying it next week!

[@supercuda1950]

Herzog (no relation} is a rail contractor and also does road paving. great video, I can't wait to see the rail being put in place.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

They're also a huge tree service contractor. Very diverse company!

[@NGH99999]

Super cool video, Mark. I love seeing how all of these different aspects of the railroad happen. That video you did awhile back on equilateral turnouts left my jaw hanging open. Never knew such a turnout existed!

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoy this type of video. If you haven't checked out the "How Things Work" playlists, here are the links to them. Lots of this stuff there! Again, thanks for the compliment and for checking it out!kzbin.info/aero/PL6ge3RoxmyvpcyRZPKJKl6W4l5IdiC-Ps kzbin.info/aero/PL6ge3RoxmyvqBUZL-pzdFNCD9ZwWeAxwA

[@frankthomas855]

I thought they just threw some rail on the ground. Thanks for sharing that Mark!

[@bob-bf3ru]

Enjoyed the video

[@alexnorfolksouthernmedia]

I ❤️ your channel! You are so informative about all things trains. You are like my virtual railroad trainer! I am subbed to your channel! Cheers! -Alex

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thanks for the compliments! I really enjoy sharing my experience with everyone. Thanks for checking it out!

[@johnmeadows5645]

Railroad technology has come a long way. It is a whole new world when you compare it to the days of the Gandy Dancers, and the Irish or the Chinese who did this work by hand.

[@glennfoster2423]

John Meadows, please don't forget the Navajo MoW employees. They were the Santa Fe's "secret ingredient" for the superiority of the Santa Fe Super Chief, El Cap. et al. and the reason the were always known to GO FASTER!

[@johnmeadows5645]

@@glennfoster2423 Great point there Glenn.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

SP had huge Navajo system rail and tie gangs into the 90s

[@thomasbromley9802]

very interesting and good job narrating

[@stanpatterson5033]

Saw a video on YT a while back, where the cars that contain the rail had rollers beneath the rail being dropped or lifted. Guides to keep each ribbon in its own space, and some stout hardware at either end to prevent unwanted dumps of any rail on any tier. Not sure if that equipment had the same type of hardware as seen in your video (lashing down the rail to prevent movement), but that seems like a fairly good idea. You can certainly have not enough load security, but there's no such thing as too much. Seems to me, it was fairly old footage, probably film converted over to video, or very early home-gamer video equipment. Certainly an enjoyable event to watch as a spectator, but not entirely sure that (at my age) I'd really want to take part, even with all of the advancements in rail handling technology over the years. Thanks for sharing. p.s. I had no idea that Herzog was into anything beyond supplying and applying ballast. I guess it's a logical extension of track maintenance.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Herzog is into a LOT of things outside the railroad as well. Big company!

[@KTrain20]

Great catch of the rail train. I've always wondered how they unload them

[@RAILCON]

There’s a Herzog RUM working in BC Canada

[@jamescotter5376]

Great video very informing that's good to see that they can do that

[@glengriswold9986]

Mark, next to the rail grinder, this is the most interesting one yet. Look forward to seeing the rail install.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I hope I catch the gang soon!

[@richardcrawford8047]

Love this kinda stuff being a gear head it really catches my interest. Thanks for taking the time to record the events of the railroad. My Grandfather worked for Santa Fe, did 45 years with them.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for checking out the channel!

[@kyleburkholder6003]

Thanks for the video it is not something I have gotten to watch before

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I am glad to have been able to share it with you! Thanks for checking it out!

[@jasonbabila6006]

I used to work on a rail train when we had a crew until we got abolished in 2013, I was on the tie down car at mid train same as the two guys standing at mid train, we recovered old and unloaded new rails.

[@glennfoster2423]

Jason I salute you. The tie down crew made the job easy or hard. You have stories to tell!

[@jasonbabila6006]

@@glennfoster2423 I was the only one on the tie down car while we had two point man walking the points of the old rails being loaded always in communication with the power car operator, two guys on the ground one torching holes for the point show and joint bars, and the other guy making the joint, two guy on the tool car operating the crane and the foreman, unloading new rails is much less work than loading old rails, just me on the tie down car breaking the rails loose.

[@glennfoster2423]

I never worked loading old rail in the field. That (to me) would be 10 times as dangerous as unloading rail I was a Roadmaster for many years and when unloading, we always shoved the rail train. The rails were fed through two roller platforms (height adjustable) down and out to the car side right at the end of the platform/power car then played on the ballast at the edge of the the at the engine footboard. Oh, those were the days! Albuquerque Division, Santa Fe Northern Arizona.

[@larrywebber2971]

Great video Mark!

[@wcharper7]

this was so interesting

[@gunnartucker4399]

Keep up the good work

[@ke6gwf]

I don't know how techie you are, but with a $30 SDR (software defined radio) dongle and a laptop, you can find any radio transmission by watching the spectrum analyzer screen and seeing what spikes when they are talking. Then listen to it via the computer, or dial it in on your scanner. It's really nice being able to see the real time visual display, and out there you won't have a lot of other users, so you just watch what frequency gets transmitted on just before the train moves! And I was cringing at the guy torching the rail above his feet! I would have thought they would cut it between the two sets of support rollers so it was held securely. After all the safety things they do, and then this lol

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I'm not much of a techie, but that sounds pretty cool anyway! As to the guy cutting. The angle from which I was shooting made it look like he was much closer than he was. The rail won't move laterally or sideways (it's not springy) so as long as he is a foot or so beside, and on the train side of the cut, he is fine. I was surprised though, that with all that technology, there's no onboard cutting machine!

[@truckinpoppop6777]

I saw one of these trains recently. Knew it was rail but had no idea how it all worked. Very cool! Thanks for letting us see this stuff.

[@artillerest43rdva7]

always just amazing the amount of flex in the rail. at work the site has 115 pound rail. in ‘12 they replaced all the ballast, 9 switches, and track. I found in the old track dated from the 30’s to the 70’s including local Bethlehem steel rail, at the far end near CSX there is a piece dated 1937 maryland track might be a transition piece. the switches were laid in just like model trains pre made No. 8 . put in with a big crane. it was hard to keep the raw materials moving on site as they fixed the tracks.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Switches are almost always pre-built these days. It really speeds things up! Thanks for sharing and for checking it out!

[@Mesa_Mike]

I didn't realize the spur siding at Woodford was long enough to hold the ribbon rail train.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

It was once the "short" siding, but half of it was pulled up in the mid 80s. What's left is about a half mile long. Here's the link to a video I made of a train passing it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnLdip6pnsdrl6c

[@bradtaulbee8620]

I just came through there 2 days ago and seen the rail on the ground

[@glennfoster2423]

I congratulate everyone on the safety improvements made. Oh, how nice a telescoping beam with a rail clamp would have been to make the initial pull on the rail. We used a cable to pull the rail through the guide rollers that feel the string down to the ballast

[@brianhickey5949]

Amazing to watch! I couldn't picture how they unloaded the ribbon rail from the cars and now we know :) Even as slow as this process is, it's so much faster than doing it with a crane or cranes in sections. I like the RUM - that's definitely another great piece of functional engineering :) I would think they could add a saw or torch sort of automating the cutting too - maybe a future modification. I think the guy in the truck cab of the RUM has an easy job. The bonus of a BNSF train with a 5 engine lashup - not unusual until we realize the first two engines are not running. I wonder if they set it up that way - seems you would have to have power to the lead so the crew can see where they're going and all. Great video! Thanks Mark :)

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I love sharing things like this with everyone! Things so few ever get to experience. The RUM truck is trick and I was surprised it had no on board cutting equipment as well. As you said, maybe later. Thanks for checking it out!

[@kens.3729]

Hello Mark! Do you or any of your UP Contacts know Why they would decide NOT to have the Lead and Second Units Operating ? Thanks! 👍

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I would imagine there was some issue once on the road that caused the unit(s) to be shut down. Sometimes it is a power move but there are usually more locomotives in the consist when that happens.

[@kens.3729]

Great video, Mark! Thanks for both your Persistence and UP Contacts to Catch this in Action. Very Interesting. Thanks! 👍

[@raymondbailey4538]

Mark, great work! The only web channel with such great inside view of how the Loop works! Everybody needs to LIKE Mark's vids! Keep up the good work and thank you!

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you! I love sharing this stuff with all of you!

[@Q1776Q]

It seems pretty dangerous cutting the rail...I wonder if the guy ever gets injured by the falling rail.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

No. These guys know what they're doing, and I guarantee you, if anyone were to be injured by it, the company would create a rule banning it, and design equipment to do it differently. Despite all the nonsensical statements about railroads not caring about safety, it is their #1 priority among the workforce.

[@glennfoster2423]

Great shot at 5:23 of how the worker uses the pneumatic power wrench to remove the bolts from the tie-down block pressing on the top of the base of the rail.

[@dmorgan28]

Hey that was very interesting. It’s awesome how they can lay rail off both sides. Pretty cool. Thanks Mark. Enjoyed it. 👍👍👍❤️

[@bobandbarbkozminski1578]

Boy! You don't want to get in the way when they cut through the rail and it drops!

[@thomream1888]

Hi Mark! Glad to see you up and roamin' around. This is an unappreciated part of RRing (especially by the train crews and dispatchers!) but us railfans love seeing the 'how-to' parts of our hobby. Being 2 hours north of you, I hope I can catch you sometime and say hi, and thanks, in person. Keep up the good work. Highball the Rollby!

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I am planning some Valley videos this year. Shoot me an email and when I'm headed that way, I'll let you know!

[@sptraxide]

Those Herzog RUM (rail unloading machine) trucks are neat to watch. Never miss an opportunity to watch one if you can. Thanks for the video!

[@shawnkipfer2347]

Herzog RUM (rail unloading machine)

[@randallfawc7501]

pretty cool machines and process!

[@taco472]

Great video, two things come to mind watching it. (1) Watching that rail coming off , sliding on those bunks or racks , it seems that there would be a tremendous amount of heat build up at that point not to mention wear. It looked like there might have been some sort of ‘hard surface’ wear plates on the rack itself. (2) With as highly mechanized ‘rail unloading machine’ as that I’m surprised it didn’t have some kind of cut off chop saw and it had to be done by hand. Again great video, great close ups. 👍

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

They move pretty slowly so I don't know how much heat would be generated. There's not not mu grating or squealing either so I'm not sure of the wear factor. I should have asked! I, too, was surprised there was no type of saw with all the other trickery! Thanks for checking it out!

[@waynebode9686]

The Rail is know as Continious Welded Rail.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I mentioned that in the video, but the train is called the Ribbon Rail train (not the CWR train) and always has been. It was called ribbon rail when they first began using it on the SP and will, therefore, always be ribbon rail to me. I'm just old school that way! Thanks for checking it out!

[@Thibbs136]

Why do Norfolk southern & CSX locomotives have flashing ditch lights & UP & BNSF don’t?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I wondered the same thing when I shot an NS on the point of a BNSF last weekend. Anyone else out there know? Thanks for checking out the channel, Travis!

[@mrtroybilt7551]

Great video , very interesting to see how rail is laid . hope to see how it is put into place and fastened down .

[@mundayoreo]

I wonder if the rail is loaded in a similar fashion to it coming off?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I hope to find out!

[@stevebailey2781]

That was great to watch Mark. Hope you can catch them actually laying the rail. You often ask for suggestions, so I wonder if you could look into how so much foreign power is seen far from their home areas. I can see how a NS engine could end up in Chicago, for example, but why would they choose to use it for a train heading West? The logistics of freight movement is a bit of a mystery to me.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

The foreign power piece is on my list! Thanks for checking it out!

[@cdiddles.]

Nice catch of the P3 on 5052! Rather rare on the BNSF. Keep up the great work!

[@deplorablebob4237]

How often do they have to change rail out?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

It depends on the conditions. Every few years in heavy grade and curve territory like Tehachapi, much less frequently in places like the San Joaquin Valley. Thanks for checking it out!

[@deplorablebob4237]

@@MarkClayMcGowan Thanks

[@glennfoster2423]

Unloading a rail train in sub-freezing weather with snow falling (even a little bit) is one of the least fun things to do. Classify that as "How to extend the length of you moustache several inches without any effort." A salute to my crew of 35+ years ago who unloaded rail under conditions that were way less than desirable.

[@silverman785]

Really cool. Hope you catch the rail gang putting on the new rail. That would be great to see

[@josephmichalski4862]

Nice video Mark..Do you know where this rail is manufactured and loaded onto the rail cars ?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

It is my understanding that the rail is manufactured in Japan in short sections, shipped to Stockton and welded into 1440' lengths at a facility up there. Thanks for checking it out!

[@josephmichalski4862]

Thanks Mark !

[@dlj4660]

DID YOU SAY THE NEW RAIL IS 1/4 MILE LONG, IF SO HOW CAN THE TRAIN CARRYING THE RAILS MAKE THE TURNS ? MARK YOUR DOING A GREAT JOB KEEP IT UP. 👍

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

The longer the rail, the more flexible it becomes. Thanks for checking it out!

[@mikeashely8198]

When that railroad guy was cutting a trail if it would have fell on his foot the Safety Shoes wouldn't help

[@glennfoster2423]

That "railroad guy" knows EXACTLY what he is doing.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

While rail is flexible, it is not springy. It will fall straight down unless under great strain, which is never the case on mainline, even in curves like the Tehachapi. These guys are pros and know exactly what to expect and how to stay out of the way. Thanks for checking it out!

[@414RadioTech]

Hey Mark let me know I will take care of it for you as far as your radio programming I've got files for all the radios including those cheap Chinese ones

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I still have no e-mails from you, so I don't know how to get in touch! Are you sure you're sending it to the correct address? [e-mail]

[@ChuckBigbie]

Is that the track they just ground on? If so why spend money to grind then replace shortly after that?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Some of it is. The FRA has mandates on rail condition. Width, height, etc. and it appears that, even with the grinding, this rail was reaching the end of it's legal life and needed to be replaced. Thanks for checking it out!

[@grossbro6175]

where do you get UP Merch/Accessories

[@barrybickle7992]

Where is this rail made? U.S. I hope

[@pisacksen]

👍🚨👍

[@josephknapick5307]

Great video Mark! Do the green boxes on the rail cars help to move the rails or is it all by the RUM machine at the end?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

The RUM just pulls the rail off the cars until the weight of the rail will hold itself in place. After that it is just a guide. The boxes on the cars are also just to keep the rail pulling off evenly. Thanks for checking it out!

[@Narpets2112]

I think the middle of the train out there on the platform would be an awesome place to be. I have a question, Mark. Maybe you know the answer. Frequently, at the end of a passing siding, the track will swing away from the main line before swinging back and connecting to it. Why do they do that?

[@glennfoster2423]

The track centers between the main track and the siding was increased to maintain the required clearance of a ground-mounted signal for both tracks in advance of the leave-siding switch at the clearance point. The siding with a lower speed suffered the alignment "whoop-tee-do" as the main track was not restricted.

[@bobandbarbkozminski1578]

Great video Mark!