How Things Work On a Railroad: Changing a Switch Panel

[@jlane496]

Subscribed! Enjoyed your railroad working videos so much I said to myself, "Why not."

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you, and welcome to the channel! I hope you find the time to check out much more! The playlists will help you narrow down the choices!

[@CSXEK]

That switch is huge

[@kevinmaddog3064]

I love watching this stuff. Thanks man!

[@bobselders8345]

Great video Mark thanks for putting it together.

[@malcolmmarzo2461]

An example of how to do excellent video.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you! It's appreciated!

[@glengriswold9986]

Mark, most informative video yet. Outstanding! Love it. Thanks for taking the time to do it.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Glad you liked it, my friend!

[@rondelllynch1667]

Keep up the good work 👍

[@SonnyMcDonald]

I really appreciate what you have recorded it’s rare to see the work done on the railroad keep it up

[@Patric5590]

Awesome video 👍😎🚂🇺🇸

[@captainkeyboard1007]

It's not how long you make it; it's how you make it long that counts. Your show is full of rich high quality, as is the subject matter. By all means, do not be discouraged!

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you for that! I like that motto!

[@captainkeyboard1007]

@@MarkClayMcGowan You are welcome. Thank you for tapping or typing to me. Finally, I bid you "Happy Railroading!"

[@glennfoster2423]

An Assistant Trainmaster always issued the admonition, Go for it, and do not be afraid!". He always had your back. I recall once, a crew dropped a set of trucks on the ground when they overshot the end of a track. His rejoinder was that next time just "test the air brakes sooner."

[@charlesglandon7840]

Great informative video. I enjoy the longer videos keep them coming. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@prsjohnkrapf2779]

Wanted to tell you, I work at a company that makes turnouts, I machine switch points, and it looked like one of our turnouts they were installing. Really cool stuff!

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Sounds like a cool job! Thanks for checking it out!

[@johnferard5335]

Thank you Mark. A lot of information here. I'm going to have to watch it again to get even more from what I see. Your running dialog is great. I have been amazed at the skill of the heavy equipment operators. The machines seem to be an extension of their bodies.

[@ATSFSuperChief]

Great coverage Mark, watched every minute and enjoyed it. Beats the crap out of some of the other skewed stuff on the internet. Enjoy your golf outing. Thanks again Mark.

[@faf713]

Enjoy your videos. Learn a lot just watching. Very few folks know how railroads work much less how they are built and maintained. Great Video

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@luzmalara5584]

Great Video - I wouldn't have even noticed that you weren't using a tripod, until you mentioned it. Keep up the Great Work!!

[@RICMOTA]

This video was the most interesting mow work i've ever saw. Thanks Mark!

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

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

[@Billblom]

When it comes to things going flying... was down at Hamlet in NC... CSX has a big interchange and wye there... trains going into the yard turn north on the way...and I was there at the station shooting when a train was headed around the wye... and a knuckle broke on one of the cars. The other side of the wye was at least 200 feet away. The nuc bit came down about 100 feet from the train. When it popped, it went skyward... 10 feet later the train went into emergency...and about then the thing came down about 50-70 feet from me with a thud. Around railroads, you can expect the unexpected...

[@chuckmorris7043]

Hey Mark: great work, glad you got to time your visit to view this interesting and technical work. Absolutely how these teams are coordinated like a 'ballet, everyone of them know all the jobs involved... Please keep up the good work and also know that you are appreciated in the way you do your presentations. Chuck..

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you. It's appreciated!

[@cagorrie]

Great video thank you for all the time and effort, do you know why the different lengths of rail at the 12min mark ? Why they are staggered and not cut off evenly, is it for strength ?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

They don't generally put joints or welds directly across from each other. Doing so tends to create a weak spot in the track structure. Thanks for checking it out!

[@truckinpoppop6777]

Very informative and thorough explanation. Thanks Mark!

[@paulsto6516]

Thanks, Mark! Very enjoyable.

[@vinnypinatelli221]

4 more days until my interview!! I'm happy! It may not be a clean job, but it's a fun one!! I've been on site for bnsf spraying radio towers and cutting crossings since may, and I love it. I'm just a subcontractor right now! Hopefully soon I'll be an actual employee!!🙏

[@garykcs5532]

Great job Mark really interesting stuff to watch we appreciate you going out and getting these things thanks for this

[@kens.3729]

Excellent video, Mark! This was Very Interesting and something we would never have an opportunity to see. Thanks for the strong 💪 efforts. 👍

[@roger8772]

Great job Mark. Very informative.

[@carlstypinski1517]

I've been on many a switch panel exchange projects in my railroad career as a C&S maintainer. Unfortunately, C&S always were the last to finish up due to putting in ballast, tamping and the regulator finishing first.

[@andyfmx322]

Fantastic video mate, informative, well edited and the commentary was great. Have a safe trip to the coast.

[@derrickodyes1934]

Love the long videos so much cool info and sites to see 🙂🙂

[@robertrupley6910]

You are doing a Excellent presentation

[@kyleburkholder6003]

Thanks for showing us all how they install a switch.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

My pleasure! Thanks for checking it out!

[@nitrorrat8190]

Awesome video sir

[@davidbrown847]

Well done very informative!

[@Starsnu1]

That was a really educational and well put together video. Thanks so much for sharing your railroad experience with us.

[@paul-andrelarose3389]

Terrific video once again Mark. You definitely are an A+ in terms of raising public awareness about the various, but often taken for granted, aspects of railroading. In analogy with a living body, I see equivalence between the railway trackage and the bone structure, between the rolling stock and the muscular structure, between the rail traffic control system and the nervous system. All these three functions are equally important for the system to operate in perfect harmony. 2022/08/06. Ontario, Canada.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you very much! It's my pleasure to share with all of you, and thanks for checking it out!

[@Tricky929]

Dig and appreciate your video and railroad lingo. Thumbs up!

[@averageguy7136]

Awesome job Mark.

[@georgehasler142]

Mark good information always love your videos when you are filming and always be safe

[@sgrizzz]

I always watch your entire videos from beginning to end .

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you! I really appreciate it!

[@jmm2000]

The ignitors that the signal maintainer is using to attach the bond wires to the rails is similar to what you use to ignite your BBQ grill; a push button design to ignite the powder for the bonds. The type of turnout that is installed is a jump frog.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thanks for the info! Yeah, most frogs into non-signaled turnouts these days are jump type. They started installing them in this area after I retired.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Awesome work documenting this Mark!

[@robertrupley6910]

Glad you brought up snake's you half to watch for!

[@ronjohnson6406]

I can go to a hundred KZbin channels for rail fanning. But only your channel and one other that I watch ccrx 6700 spends time on the aspects of railroad maintenance.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you! I watch his channel as well!

[@skywatcherca]

GREAT video! Thanks Mark.

[@T-rick]

Out east, every switch install had the new switch installed as one piece. No exceptions. Every joint was welded on the new panel by the time it was installed. The concrete must make the panels too heavy to install all at once !

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Yes. The wood panels were also moved as one piece. The joints here were welded out the following day.

[@T-rick]

@@MarkClayMcGowan very cool. I was a MoW field manager for 6 years in the east coast. Love watching these videos!

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

Cool shit brother 👍🏻 Nice axes in your office🎸🎸🎸 Like the big Zeppelin poster too I think working on that line for me man I'd have to be always on my toes watch it out for rattlesnakes out there everywhere I walk LOL.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

They're around, but don't like us anymore than we like them and usually vacate the area when people are around. Here are a couple of links. One to an older tour of my office and axes (I've acquired a few more since and made changes to the decor), and another about snake safety. Thanks for checking it out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmO4aGyviqdkgMU kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp3MkqWvo5WLlcU

[@johnscanlon5889]

Really good stuff, thanks!

[@25vrd48]

Hello from Arkansas Mark . Awesome video . Thanks for posting .

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thanks for watching!

[@25vrd48]

@@MarkClayMcGowan I know you had to edit a lot out of what you shot , there's a lot of work that goes into changing out a switch panel . They used to make switch panels here in North Little Rock and would unbolt them for transport . Really dangerous job of loading and securing them in gondolas for transport . One of the guys on the loading crew was killed one day when he got in between a panel they were loading and he was crushed to death . That's when new transport cars were designed and built for the panel switch transport . Thanks for shooting the video and posting it , I know you spent a lot of time that day getting all of the footage . It's a lot to get during the removal and installation of the new switch . It's easier to say change out a switch than it is to actually install a new one . Very intense job and then all of the officials that had to be onsite . Working on double track with on rail still Hot is extremely dangerous and the speed restriction was not slow enough in regards to SAFETY of the men working on the ground . Great video , keep them coming . Goodbye from Sherwood Arkansas .

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

Not often you see concrete switches installed on freight lines. It makes plenty of sense here, but still a little surprising

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

In this region, they're only using concrete ties on the Tehachapi and are just now installing the turnouts. The valley and desert on either side of the pass are still wood. Thanks for checking it out!

[@guyfranks4354]

I find your video filming excellently done. I stopped watching Wide World of Trains videos because of the poor camera work and subpar audio. I am a grandson of a career Union Pacific "Gandy Dancer". Sadly my grandfather passed away 1 year before I was born. Railroading is in my blood. I have had to learn all about the railroad on my own. I am a new subscriber to your channel. Keep up the good work. Guy Franks

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thank you, It's appreciated! I hope you continue to enjoy the channel and take the time to go back and explore some of the older videos! Thanks for checking it out!

[@rondelllynch1667]

My brother n law was a welder before he retired. He died from cancer 5yrs later

[@rondelllynch1667]

He worked for UP for 25 yrs

[@rteutsch]

Great video. Lot of information.

[@DiggingRob]

Good content….. thanks for sharing

[@wrangler70jkujeep74]

I love MOW course as railfan prospective. I'm looking at 2 jobs railroad related outstanding video 👤🎥🤳🥾 boots on ground video great video.

[@lossangeles]

Why would an existing switch be replaced? Ordinary wear and tear?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

They are changing ALL wood tie panels to concrete on the Tehachapi. They still have a few more to go, but not until next year. But, as you surmised, most of the time it is for wear and tear. Thanks for checking it out!

[@royo1450]

Awesome video Thanks man

[@scotabot7826]

Dude, are you like Tony Robbins brother? Cool video.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Hey! I watch Tony's stuff too! I'm not that smooth though! Thanks for checking it out!

[@curtisharlan9230]

Nice video mark

[@PaulA-yh7kr]

Mark is this UP or BNSF after all the mergers are said and dunn. I thought it is UP and BNSF has track right's but who the hell am I? ps I never make misstakes I make correction's. Have a good time on the coast. Thanks for your time Paul

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

UP owns and maintains the line from Bakersfield to Mojave, including the interlockings at Kern Junction and Mojave. An agreement that has been in place since 1898 with SP and Santa Fe with the exception of Kern Jct., which was operated and maintained by Santa Fe/BNSF until about 2015.

[@revenniaga6249]

Marķ, where does the railroad get their ballast from? Sierra?, Rocky Mountains? Maybe do a piece on a ballast pit if there is one nearby.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Hmmm..Interesting question. I do know that there are multiple suppliers though. I don't believe there are any sources around here, but I'll look into it! Thanks for the idea and for checking it out!

[@EyeOnVenture]

forget the tripod, your camera work has been good! Now I need to search for your snake safety vid

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Thanks! Here's the link to that video. Just ignore the part about elevating the bite. I had a brain fart there! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp3MkqWvo5WLlcU

[@tomjones3113]

New to your videos. Love watching them. When they replace the switches, is there a time frame when they replace them or when they break?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Once a switch has been installed, they change out stock rails, closure rails, switch points and frogs as needed. The only reason they were doing this particular one was to get rid of the wood ties to match it with the rest of the track on the Tehachapi. ALL wood tie switches on the Tehachapi are being changed out over the next year or so. Thanks for checking it out!

[@glennfoster2423]

The arrival of the use of lazers simplified and increased accuracy of aligning track using the secrets of tampers.-- unfit for movement to 90 mph in one move!

[@Narpets2112]

Another awesome video, Mark. I have a question; I heard a BNSF defect detector go off and wondered if UP and BNSF have separate detectors up there. A velometer measures wind speed. That's what we call them in the HVAC trade, anyway.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Both roads use the same detectors and UP is responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of all equipment from Kern Jct. to Mojave on the joint facility. The thing they give us captures wind, temp and humidity. Works well. I still have mine, I just always forget it!

[@dboatube]

GREAT VID!! thanks. at end when they found a bent rod... i flashed back to when they were moving that piece and let it twist what looked like way to much! to me. bummer if that bent the rod. also, i originally heard the rail connection bars were called 'fish plates'.. is that term still used? keep up the good work.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I never heard that term until I saw it a few years ago in a facebook post. We've always called them angle bars. I'll have to ask the track guys. Thanks for checking it out!

[@glennfoster2423]

Mark please review the protocol for authorizing a train crew requesting authority to proceed through the Form B lots.

[@glennfoster2423]

should have been "limits"

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I'm sure I didn't call them lots. It may have sounded that way because I sometimes talk too fast, but I would never have referred to them as lots. I've never even heard that term in relation to any type of on track safety.

[@edwardmeegan1849]

They should use class A foam to cover the area where the hot work is being performed. It will look like shaving cream and will protect the area from fire for a short time using less water.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

It's an ecologically friendly fire retardant mixed wit water

[@alanindarwin8394]

18:50 "Thanks Mate"? Who's the Aussie? 😁

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Probably some poser!

[@BobN.WB1EVU]

Thanks Mark. I love watching this stuff. By the way, was that a lift frog they put in place or just the angle?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

And that is why I love sharing these jobs when I have the chance! Thanks for checking it out!

[@turkfiles]

Weather device: Kestrel hand held

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Yeah! That's it. I have one in my truck, I just didn't want to interrupt the shoot to go get it! Thanks!

[@turkfiles]

@@MarkClayMcGowan just curious, is it the orange colored fire-weather device. I’m a forest fire lookout in Cleveland National Forest at a tower on Palomar Mountain. We use those devices to compare the data we get from our good old-fashioned wet bulb/dry bulb psychrometer, etc.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Yes. It slides out of a holder and has a lanyard as well

[@turkfiles]

@@MarkClayMcGowan yep, that’s the one I thought it would be.

[@shostetler]

An interesting question... Why are most all switches (this is a rarity) made from wood ties? Even in New track construction, all concrete ties then a switch, bridge, crossing or insulated joint pops up and there's wood used. Perhaps only for the section ovee the bridge, or immediately under the grade crossing. Any explanation to this when clearly there are concrete switch ties?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

The UP is changing all switches in concrete track to concrete as we speak. The plan is to finish all on the Tehachapi by 2024. I was told they originally left the wood tie switches in place for cost and time. I guess they have both covered now! Crossings are generally left wood because they are more durable under the cross loads of vehicle traffic and are easier to change should the need arise. Some bridges are concrete, some aren't. Maybe for the same reason as switches. Thanks for checking it out!

[@rustyc521]

Couldn’t find the video you mentioned about railfanning and snake safety. Do you have a link please?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Just flip-flop the part about elevating the bite! My brain was on backward! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mp3MkqWvo5WLlcU

[@bobfischer2943]

Do both BNSF and UP crews work together on trackage where both railroads use the same track?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

No. The owning road does all work. UP on the Tehachapi and BNSF on Cajon between Los Angeles and Daggett where UP has trackage rights. I assume it's that way across all systems. Thanks for checking it out!

[@Oliver-kv2mm]

Longer videos are OK with me.

[@glennfoster2423]

Mark, do you know the total time the job took from 1st track occupancy time received until the time the track was returned to service?The first time we replaced a turnout, we had promised the Dispatcher ten hours (about 30 years ago) -- start to finished, except for welded joints at each end, and we succeeded with some time to return. Using big machines to do the big work beats all the stuffin' out of constructing turnouts in the track.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

The Form B was issued from 0700 to 2000. I left about 1630. I can't imagine they went over as only a couple of things were left to be done to get the signals working and the mainline open. The switch itself wasn't placed in service until the following day.

[@billh3-21]

Didn't get to see logos on last car, was that an L.P. wood products car ?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Probably not out here. I don't know that I've seen L.P. loads since I started paying attention. Lots of Sierra Pacific stuff though.

[@SD45-ET44AC]

The length is < 1 hr. I’ll just get a nice beverage and enjoy.

[@NiceMuslimLady]

Basically, what you're saying is that this is nothing more than a GIANT model railway!!!!!!!

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Aren't they all?

[@NiceMuslimLady]

@@MarkClayMcGowan YES!!! Except I don't need a bunch of loaders when I do trackwork. ;)

[@therocinante3443]

Jeez, where's an old man when you need one?

[@bibledefinedbymartycozad]

So Mark is this like a #8 switch? how do they figure switch size?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

I'm not sure what length this is, but they're figured by the length of the turnout. The higher the number, the longer and less severe the turnout. They're referred to as #16, #24, etc. At least in my corner of the world!

[@wadepenley7380]

what you are calling a angle bar I've always heard called fish plates

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

We've never called them that around here, but I have heard the term.

[@chefjavier]

Mark, does UP workers give you a hard time video them or parking on their areas?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

Not at all. I can tell if I'll be in their way and will park away. If they need me to move, they'll let me know. Thanks for checking it out!

[@ojofelixnm3608]

We Can Handle It

[@rogerpenske2411]

Gotta loves da BEEG STUFF!

[@NiceMuslimLady]

Can you verify the max speed thru there is twenty-three MPH? It's just a bit of an odd number.

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

It was 25 under SP, but UP changed it to 23 in 1996. Here's the best I can do for you. According to UP Los Angeles Area Timetable #6, effective Friday, May 10, 2019 @0900C. Mojave Subdivision, page 48, SI-02 Maximum Speed Table. Between MP 335.4 and 359.5, 23 mph, except between MP 335.4 and 336.0, 15 MPH for northbound (downhill) trains exceeding 9,600 trailing tons, or operating with cut in DP consist(s) regardless of tonnage. I hope that helps and thanks for checking it out!

[@NiceMuslimLady]

@@MarkClayMcGowan ok, thank you for the info. :)

[@deadeyedickification]

I have a hard time believing that BNSF intermodal was doing 23mph. Looked like he was doing 30

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

It is an optical illusion, I assure you. Were it not passing stationary men and equipment, it would look much different. A train crew exceeding that speed limit in this territory (especially through a form B) would have a manager waiting at the terminal to remove them from service and the questions wouldn't be asked until the investigation. Thanks for checking it out!

[@deadeyedickification]

@@MarkClayMcGowan yessir and thank you for the reply. I'm an industrial electrician and I really enjoy your technical information on the electronic equipment on the railways. Please keep them coming.

[@ianshepherd7021]

try a monopod

[@kpdvw]

no wonder the ties drop like flies what with american civil war Track technology... A whole lot more primitive and different than with European track/switch construction....!

[@kpdvw]

windspeed measuring with : Anemometer is a device that measures wind speed and direction

[@kpdvw]

what's with angle bar rail connectors? Where is the exothermic welding of rail joints?

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

That switch had been there since the 1930s, those particular wood ties since the 1980s. Now that it's been upgraded to concrete, it will be good for another thirty years, minimum. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Your rail systems on the Continent may be fancy, but would wither under the tonnage and power American mainlines deal with. That's why railfans from there, travel here to watch trains, and rarely the other way around. Thanks for the comment though, and for checking it out!

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

What we use measures wind, temp, and humidity

[@MarkClayMcGowan]

They'll come back later (probably did the next day) and weld out all joints on the mainline.