Marking Bad Railroad Cross Ties on Excepted Track

We gonna show you what criteria to look for when replacing bad railroad ties.
You'll learn what Excepted Track is and also see examples of the different
things we look for in a defective tie and how they get marked for change out.
Your also gonna see in this video a rail with a crushed head that is just
about ready for the rail head to break out. That rail was changed 3 days after
this video was made.
Old ties are sorted thru, the still decent ones we generally keep for relay ties,
meaning then can be re used, most likely for a siding or other slow speed
use. Main line replacement ties here are almost always new ties. The really bad ones
go to a landfill.
We do not use concrete ties here. The biggest reason is because my tamper
has an old operating system that has limit switches on the tamper work heads.
The work heads are what goes up and down and drives the blade of the
tamping tools down below the bottom of the tie.
Wood ties are 7 inches thick, concrete ties are 9 inches thick. The tamping blades
must go below the bottom of the tie in order to push ballast under the tie. The
bottom limit switch on my work heads control the depth of the tools before they
squeeze the ballast. Each work head has 1 limit switch for this, thus with 4 work
heads on the tamper, 4 limit switches. In order for me to tamp concrete ties, I would
have to manually loosen, then move each limit switch down, then re tighten them.
To do this I have to crawl under the tamper. Then to go back to wood, means
reversing the process.
So mixing wood and concrete ties would be a nightmare and a real time consuming
job to tamp. Even having a whole curve of concrete would still mean readjusting
the limit switches for each curve.
I have an old QNX Windows operating system. The new Jupiter 2 operating systems
do away with limit switches and allow the operator to toggle from in the cab with the
simple flick of a switch. We are looking into up grading my OS to a Jupiter 2, it's not
a cheap up grade. However, until that time happens when and if I get an up grade there will
be no concrete ties here. I will do a video sometime in the far future on the differences
between wood and concrete ties.
#CrossTies#BadRailroadTies#RailroadTies
Made April 10, 2022

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Great, Great illustration video Dave on how to mark out cross ties for replacement.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Steve. Coming from a great railroader like you that makes my night! Appreciate your watching my good friend.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

@@ccrx6700 Your welcome and glad I could be there in moral support.

[@MTGallagher]

👍🏼

[@TurboTimsWorld]

Dave, my wife walks up and down our garden talking all about the (we are in the UK so Sleepers) Ties that hold our bank up. they are old wooden railway sleepers with the plate cut outs but she walks up and down saying that one needs replacing. There is no way I'm letting her loose with a yellow paint spray can ! LOL ! Keep Railroading !

[@tsufordman]

lol

[@ccrx6700]

I can see why Turbo Tim! LOL really enjoyed your comment. Thanks so much for sharing and for taking in the video my friend. And we will donate the new used ties to you for your tie replacement job, all you gotta do is come and get them!

[@captainkeyboard1007]

Thank you for bringing the railroad to me. I am only a subway buff; but I enjoyed watching freight trains when I was a little child.

[@ccrx6700]

If you are on the NYCT 7 line, I know the engineer on that line, he works the 2 am to 10 pm shift, or he did, I haven't talked to him in awhile. Thomas is his name, let me know if you run across him.

[@captainkeyboard1007]

@@ccrx6700 If I reach the 7 Line, I would need to ask many of The Best People Around (transit workers) for Thomas. I must inform you that the former motormen have been called "Train Operators" more than 20 years, because women became hired to operate subway trains and work just like their male counterparts. On the Long Island Rail Road, the operators of those trains are called "Engineers." I hope to look out for you one day. Thank you for typing to me. Happy Railroading!

[@jason27swg]

After all my years I still learn from you Dave. We engineers take for granted mow crews but there is alot to make things move and move safely!!!! Enjoyed the show!!!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you so much Jason for the very nice comment. We gotta keep the nation's freight moving. We are all in this together my friend. Appreciate your taking the time to stop by tonight.

[@ronaldpiper4812]

A lot of jobs need a rail that keeps all rolling. And your that man. Glad they have you doing it.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Ronald for the kind words. We do appreciate your tuning in and checking out the video my friend.

[@drockjr]

Ok, you've got me hooked on a topic I had zero interest or knowledge in before. Super informative and cool stuff. Thanks for teaching us

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you for the nice comment drockjr , glad you enjoyed. Hope these videos become an addiction for you.... :-) Appreciate your taking the time to watch and write in my friend.

[@greatnorthernrailwaytother4711]

In Victoria, Australia we designed our own low profile concrete sleepers that were similar in size to timber sleepers (ties). Probably not as strong as conventional concrete for extra heavy axle loads, but were fine for ordinary container freight, grain and passenger trains. The low profile concrete ties performed similarly to timber which meant no change to tamping operation. This also meant we could convert to concrete using a normal tie renewal program and after at most 25 years the track will be all concrete. Keep up the interesting videos. Pete.

[@ccrx6700]

Very interesting Pete, thanks so much for sharing that with me. They are constantly trying to improve the concrete ties here with the tremendous axle loads and long trains. Now they use pre stressed concrete and much higher psi concrete which seems to be working for the big RR's here. Appreciate your stopping by and watching my friend.

[@dennisb-trains23]

Dave it warms my heart to hear you finally admit to us all, you have loose bolts! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I love these types of videos Dave we I love all your videos but these type showing us what's acceptable and not I just find interesting. Thank you

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Dennis. Yep anyone who knows me knows "I have loose bolts" LOL Appreciate all you great support my good friend.

[@michaelball760]

Track safety standard book goes everywhere with me in my work bag. Good reference to look back through.

[@ccrx6700]

Me too Michael, I don't have the memory to remember everything, but always got my book in my lunch box to find something if I need it. Wish you were my buddy here, we would have fun.

[@rickcooper6817]

Thanks Dave, always amazed that a tie last as long as it does considering the abuse it endures over the years. Have a great 4th of July everyone and be safe!!

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Rick and we do appreciate your tuning in and watching the video my friend.

[@paulbergen9114]

Working on the tie gang. If you have a lot of bad ties you can blaze thru them in no time at all so you replace every 3rd or 4th tie like Ive seen on branch lines. Many a switch tie on the CNW or MILW RD could have 5 or 6 flange gouges from derailed freight cars. Also many a siding where the ties had sunk below the grass. Well now we know how to get from excepted track to acceptable track. Thanks much!

[@ccrx6700]

Your certainly welcome Paul and thank you so much for the really nice comment and for taking the time to watch my friend.

[@davewallace8219]

educating the public on railroading is in valuable! thanks!

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Dave. Glad you are having a good time watching my friend.

[@Kansas-Trains]

Very informative tutorial Dave on track maintenance and your never to young to learn. I still learn something new even after 30 years on the Railroad Brother and TY Dave Andy

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Andy for the very nice comment and for stopping by today. I also still learn new things all the time bout RR, it's pretty neat isn't it. Stay tuned got a lot more really cool stuff for you in the future my railroadin friend.

[@davesvintageequipment5319]

learned a goodly bit about rail ties , so it was a good video for me !

[@ccrx6700]

Excellent Daves vintage Equipment. Very please to hear you enjoyed and we do appreciate your stopping by and checking out the show my friend.

[@mikefochtman7164]

I can see replacing that rail with the battered head. Even if that bit does breakout and as you said, doesn't cause a derailment, the wheels are just going to batter what rail is left harder and harder, making it worse and worse. As my daddy used to say (he was an auto mechanic), "Squeaky breaks will never get better on their own. You can pay me now, or pay me later."

[@ccrx6700]

Your dad was exactly right Mike, specially on the RR. Skimp on infrastructure on the RR and you are putting your self in a position or peril. You will pay later if it's not taken care of now. Appreciate your stopping by and watching the show my friend.

[@moemanncann895]

You are welcome and thanks for bringing railroading to us👍🇨🇦🇺🇲

[@ccrx6700]

Great to hear you enjoyed the presentation. We do appreciate your taking the time to write in and for watching my friend.

[@kenharbin3440]

Alco the Railroad Dog approves of this video. I liked it also. Alco says you're a perfectionist and that those ties have another 2p years in them.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Alco and Ken. I like Alco wish he was my mascot. He would have a great time walking track with me and riding in my hi rail truck, although he may not like the noise in the tamper..... he may not like our EMD locos either...LOL

[@tpobrienjr]

Many years ago (early 50s) our neighbor had an inspection truck with the double wheels that let him run on highway and on track. I thought it was cool, but never got a ride. Thanks for the "Exceptional" walk.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Thomas for the really nice comment. We certainly do appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and watch my friend.

[@tpobrienjr]

@@ccrx6700 My neighbor was Mr. Elmo Judd, who was with Missouri Pacific in South Texas. A nice gentleman.

[@thomasjunkins6491]

Your videos always teach me something. That's Railroadin!

[@ccrx6700]

Great to hear you enjoyed the presentation Thomas. We do appreciate your taking the time to write in and for watching my friend.

[@royfaircloth8592]

You are a breath of fresh air 😜😜😜

[@ccrx6700]

Well golly Roy, first time anyone has ever said that, but I'll take it. Thanks so much for the very nice comment and for watching the show today my friend.

[@mikefochtman7164]

Nice video. Like the bit of reference about what's required. Obviously ties don't last forever. :)

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Mike and yep ties as everything else on the RR has a life and sooner or later must get replaced. Appreciate your stopping by and taking in the presentation my friend.

[@joshuam.6404]

This has got to be the most educational railroad channel on the Tube. Thanks for always teaching us!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Joshua for the very nice comment! We really appreciate your taking the time to write in and for watching my friend.

[@morse2795]

This is pretty interesting learning about the railroad track system.

[@ccrx6700]

Very glad you enjoyed the show William. Thank you so much for stopping by and watching today my good man.

[@derrickanderson4932]

We appreciate you sharing. Dave

[@ccrx6700]

Your very welcome Derrick. We do appreciate your taking the time to write in and for watching my friend.

[@dangercloseusmc6902]

Give you a can of spray paint and some bad ties and you're happy. Cheap date! lolol Seriously, thanks for the explanation about plate cut ties and such. That was informative and educational.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks DangerCloseUSMC. Really glad you enjoyed and we do appreciate your tuning in and checking out the show my friend.

[@t.j.carroll8512]

Another great video. Outstanding information on what to look for as ties wear out. Very educational and enjoyable.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much T.J. We really appreciate your taking in the video today my friend.

[@johndonlan5956]

Very good show today Dave! I've learned a lot about tie integrity and what effects it.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you John and glad you enjoyed it. Appreciate very much your taking the time to watch the video my friend.

[@craigthomson4203]

Thank you so much!! I have learned a lot from watching this. please Keep it coming.

[@ccrx6700]

Your definitely welcome Craig. Really pleased that you enjoyed. We do appreciate your paying us a visit today and watching my friend.

[@annettelaurence5716]

Hi Dave. Great video. We have some steel ties (sleepers over here). If you run out of wood, I know a guy who cut some branches off a tree recently, he might sell you some wood!😉

[@ccrx6700]

LOL.... yep good oak branches for ties, I liked that Annette,made me smile. Thanks for taking in the show today my friend.

[@azimuth4850]

Very cool to see the process. Not many channels like this one!

[@ccrx6700]

Glad you enjoyed the presentation Azi muth. We do appreciate your stopping by and watching my friend.

[@roberttrometter5788]

I have to say that Dave loves his job and brings his knowledge to us. Dave keep up with the great job you are doing. I wished I had the same temper you have in loving your job. Thanks again. Robert over and out

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Robert for the very nice comment. We so appreciate your taking the time to write in and for watching the video my friend.

[@shawnpowell5876]

Great video and tutorial of the replacement of bad ties. And where you stated that everything is within railroad standards its always better to be safe than sorry. A procedure like you're doing is less costly than to have a locomotive or a piece of rolling stock derail that would really be a HEFTY bill! Always great to see a new video and tutorial abt what's happening at the Cumberland Mine! Thanks again for sharing your videos with us along with your time and effort my friend! God bless you Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Shawn for the very nice comment. You are so right, there is nothing that says we cannot go over and above what the Fed specs are and many RR's out there do that. Fed specs are minimum standards. It is as you say much better to do what we can to prevent a costly and time consuming accident. Thanks so much for watching today my good friend.

[@Arkay315]

I'm glad the railroads of American have good people like you to maintain the rails. that Midwestern weather is really bad with the woodrot and splintering, keep up the good work.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Arkay. Every RR needs someone like me....LOL Just kidding with that, there are a whole lot of really good railroaders out there that care about their tracks. Appreciate your tuning in today my friend.

[@raymondsprengelmeyer1278]

It is so obvious that you love your job in your videos! I think that is a very valuable trait! Thank you for sharing Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

You are certainly welcome Raymond and thank you very much for the very nice comment my friend.

[@hugoknight1]

I've been binge watching your videos ever since I discovered you a few days ago. I blame YOU for keeping me up WAAAAAYYYY past my bedtime. Seriously, though, thanks for the education, my friend! 🚂🚂🚂

[@ccrx6700]

Well thanks very much for watching hugoknight1. I'm very pleased to hear you are enjoying the home movies my friend.

[@johncloar1692]

Thanks Dave for sharing.

[@ccrx6700]

You are certainly welcome John. We do appreciate your taking the time to write in and for watching my friend.

[@danherrmann8755]

Thanks for the explanation. And the walk along.

[@ccrx6700]

Your quite welcome Dan. Thank you very much for taking the time to check out the video and may you have a very good day my friend.

[@larryblaha]

Great video thanks for explaining what's going on with the ties...

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Larry, really glad to hear you enjoyed the show. We do appreciate your stopping by today my friend.

[@margaretragle1337]

Enjoy your ties and how you explained about how that they need to to be changed.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Margaret and we do appreciate your tuning in and watching the video my friend. Had a great aunt who was Swedish, her name was Margot. I always think of her when you write in.

[@barbararoberto1258]

Hi Mr Dave enjoyed the video very educational keep up the safety work

[@ccrx6700]

We enjoyed having you stop by and visit with us Barbara. Always is a pleasure to here from you.

[@WaylandJoe]

Another interesting video Dave, I've seen a fair few in that condition, usually on lines that are lightly used. One job we replaced timbers as we call them here in the UK, with ones not in much better condition. Not as bad as seen in the video.

[@ccrx6700]

Really glad to hear you enjoyed King Rat. We do appreciate your taking the time to watch and write in my friend.

[@russelltrupia4479]

Great info Dave on those ties, that must be one heck of a job to inspect all those ties.👍

[@ccrx6700]

We have 16.8 miles of track which means we have around 45,500 ties and each one gets a visual on my weekly track inspections, albeit is from the cab of my hi rail truck riding along. it goes pretty quick in the truck but walking is a different story. We generally replace about 2,000 ties a year. We just this week went thru a shut down with the tie gang in here but only got 1300 ties replaced since it was only a 4 day shut down and we had a small tie gang working. Got some good videos of this weeks adventures including bridge 8 deck replacement you will like those vids. We have always had a very good tie replacement program here and that pays big dividends in preventing wide gage.

[@russelltrupia4479]

@@ccrx6700 I guess that keeps you busy. Great videos Dave👍

[@garymessina1609]

Great video Dave I always lean something more from you every video thanks

[@ccrx6700]

Great to hear you enjoyed the show Gary. We do appreciate your taking the time to write in and for watching my friend.

[@dezertraider]

THANK YOU DAVE,GREAT JOB..

[@ccrx6700]

Great to hear you enjoyed the presentation Ralph. We do appreciate your taking the time to write in and for watching my friend.

[@whoever6458]

I love how much fun you have at your job! I wish all jobs could be things that people enjoy doing. The closest I've gotten to a job like that was when I worked on an ambulance and it would have been that kind of job but for the management.

[@ccrx6700]

I do love my job Who Ever. Railroading is the central preoccupation of my life.

[@whoever6458]

@@ccrx6700 I love watching it too! Thank you!

[@brianhickey5949]

A fascinating look at track and tie wear. In my mind, I know it goes on, but I have never seen it - much less up close :) Thank you for the look into excepted track! I once took an Amtrak ride on something like excepted track. One could tell as the track speed was about 30 mph. It took 12 hours to go from Pittsburgh PA to Grand Central Station in NYC.

[@ccrx6700]

Glad you enjoyed the show Brian. Really appreciate your tuning in and watching my friend.

[@jasonpetersrailadventures]

Great video

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Jason and we do appreciate your tuning in and watching the video my friend.

[@johnperrotto64]

Great info! Keep these great vids coming!

[@ccrx6700]

Great to hear you enjoyed the presentation John. We do appreciate your taking the time to write in and for watching my friend.

[@handlethisyoutube]

Thank you as always and happy Independence Day everyone!! 🇺🇸 🎆 🗽 🚂

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome and we do appreciate your tuning in and watching the video my friend.

[@soyoucametosee7860]

I have learned a lot about the railroad from you. I hope to learn more!

[@ccrx6700]

Pleased to hear that Sharon. Stay tuned and a lot more to come.Do appreciate the nice comment and for your watching today my friend.

[@petezapadka]

Another great railroadin’ lesson by Professor Dave! Thank you, sir!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Pete for the kind words, but I got to keep this track in good shape for your next ride, don't want any derailments when your on the train..... :-) Thanks for watching today my friend.

[@johnblair8146]

A worthwhile lesson, particularly for museum volunteers!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you John and we do appreciate your tuning in and watching the video my friend.

[@michaeljohnson4636]

In the UK the ties concrete,timber, steel ,and recycled plastic,and tunnel concrete ones that have a concrete pad for the rail fixings tied together with a steel bar so when it is set up in the correct position it is fully concreted in to hold it in place,there is also concrete ties made for switches

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks for sharing that Michael, I'm always interested in learning what our neighbors are doing on the tracks. It would do our track well in some places if we could cement things in, specially the turnout out we have on the main. it is forever giving me fits. Appreciate your watching the video my friend.

[@ericcoffedgp40]

Awesome stuff Dave, I enjoyed todays lesson!

[@ccrx6700]

Great to hear you enjoyed the presentation Eric. We do appreciate your taking the time to write in and for watching my friend.

[@skywatcherca]

As always, great videos: educational, informative - thanks Dave.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Jonathan and we do appreciate your tuning in and watching the video my friend.

[@realcotnoir2521]

Thank-You! Dave

[@ccrx6700]

You are certainly welcome Real Cotnoir. We very much appreciate your stopping by and taking in the presentation tonight my friend.

[@TheLocutus70]

We appreciate you sharing.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much M. Appreciate your watching the show tonight my friend.

[@bhuff123]

Your videos are always educational and entertaining

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Clark. Very pleased to hear you are having a good time with us. Do appreciate your stopping around and watching today my friend.

[@tomeasley5979]

Dave, thanks for taking us along on the tie replacement project. Always a lot to learn and it is fun to hear you talk about the regulations and what they mean to your railroad. Enjoy your 4th of July.

[@ccrx6700]

Glad you could stop by and join us today Tom. Really appreciate your writing in and for watching my friend.

[@jjxtwo1]

Great show like always. I really appreciate your videos Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Jeff for the very nice comment. Really pleased that your are having a good time with us my friend.

[@kevinmoore342]

You rock. Awesome channel

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Kevin for the very nice comment! We really appreciate your taking the time to write in and for watching my friend.

[@daveogarf]

Thank you, Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

You are certainly welcome daveogarf. Really appreciate your paying us a visit today and taking in the home movie my friend.

[@kaylatravis8367]

Another fine video dave thx for sharing

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Kayla. Appreciate your watching tonight my friend.

[@KWMeikle]

Great video about ties. Thanks

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you so much Kevin. We do so appreciate your watching tonight my friend.

[@gunsaway1]

That was interesting. Enjoyed a lot!

[@ccrx6700]

Great to hear you enjoyed the presentation gunsaway1. We do appreciate your taking the time to write in and for watching my friend.

[@wilburroth5150]

Another nice video, thanks Dave. Have a Happy 4th !!!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Wilbur. We do appreciate your taking the time out to stop by and take in the presentation my friend. Will be a good 4th, get to work 12 hours on the RR. My favorite place to be! LOL

[@lyndonfoster1090]

Wonderful Dave, just wondeful. I learn something each time and it is great! thank you so much for doing them

[@ccrx6700]

Your certainly welcome Lyndon and wanted to say how very appreciative I am for the very nice comment and for your stopping by today my friend.

[@robertalcock1523]

Thanks again Dave for another excellent video. Believe me I've seen lots of railroad ties in Stark County Ohio that need replaced!!

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Robert and next time take your can of upside down orange spray paint and start marking ties for them! Thanks so much for stopping by tonight my friend.

[@hughsherer8747]

Thanks Dave. Alway learn stuff I never new

[@ccrx6700]

Great to hear you enjoyed the presentation Hugh. We do appreciate your taking the time to write in and for watching my friend.

[@fountainvalley100]

Very educational.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Kent and very pleased to hear you have enjoyed. We do appreciate your stopping around and checking out the show tonight my friend.

[@johnsmart964]

Thank you for bringing us this fascinating video presentation. It is good to see the work that is done on the railroad, we have always had an interest in what the trains run on having worked on the railroad. It is so good that you spend the time in showing us the important work that is done.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you John. Really pleased that you have enjoyed and we do appreciate your watching my friend and for the very nice comment. I do enjoy showing what goes on behind the scenes of track maintenance, stuff that no one ever thinks about or often gets to see. My little niche in the You Tube railroading market. :-)

[@NOS2022]

My compliments! Very good explanation. Thx

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much M J. Really pleased to hear you have enjoyed your visit with us tonight. Do appreciate your stopping around and checking out the show my friend.

[@ronhelman3985]

Great video Dave, I got to learn some more!!! Thanks for sharing 👍👍👍👍👍

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Ron. Great to hear you found out something new. Really appreciate your watching tonight my friend.

[@TriGogglin]

Awesome informative video Dave. You definitely brought the railroading to us. All my many hours track side ive seen everything you shown us but didn't know you had names for certain types of damage. Thank you, we always learn something from every video. Hope you have a great 4th of july

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Pappy for the very nice comment. Really pleased to hear you are finding these to be of some value to you. Appreciate your taking the time to check out the show my good friend.

[@dorothycole8611]

Interesting and a very good explanation.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks and glad you enjoyed we appreciate your watching today.

[@Eddy63]

Good little bit of info Dave ... Your always very knowledgeable and bring interesting vid to the table ... I love locomotives ... Thx ...

[@ccrx6700]

Great to hear you enjoyed the presentation Eddy. We do appreciate your taking the time to write in and for watching my friend.

[@mustralineabsorbine5082]

This was a great video. Lots of good information and so well explained. Thank you, sir. :)

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much mustraline for your nice comment. We do appreciate your stopping by and watching today my friend.

[@mackfisher4487]

That was neat Dave thank You

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Mack and we do appreciate your tuning in and watching the video my friend.

[@danielrongo2367]

Very interesting wow nice job showing the damage

[@danielrongo2367]

Cool stuff for me

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Daniel, so great to hear you had a good time watching. Appreciate your tuning in tonight my friend.

[@cecilledbetter2715]

very Interesting video keep them coming my friend

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Cecil. Really pleased that you have enjoyed and we do appreciate your watching my friend.

[@cedarcam]

Interesting video there Dave. I would not of thought a plate could cut in as far as 40% and wide gauge can be up to 10 1/4. Yours must surely be well within those limits the plate you showed was hardly cut in at all. The rail defect showed up well.

[@ccrx6700]

Really glad you enjoyed cedarcam. The plate cut tie you saw that was pretty bad was the worst one we had on the whole RR. We have done a superb job here in tie replacement. Even thru our bankruptcy management has never skimped on tie replacement. So most of our ties are in pretty good shape and for the past 20 or so years we have put in about 1500 to 2,000 new ties a year. Appreciate your watching the show today my friend.

[@bennetts-revenge_2]

Thank you Dave for sharing, I sure do learn something from every video. Marking ties sure looks like fun! Hope y'all have a great 4th of July weekend! Til next time my friend

[@ccrx6700]

You are certainly welcome Brenda and we do appreciate your tuning in and watching the video today my friend.

[@danielsplayhouse3804]

like the video content it is very informative and also too show how much help is needed to maintain the tracks on what they are running on.

[@ccrx6700]

Great to hear you enjoyed the presentation Daniel. We do appreciate your taking the time to write in and for watching my friend.

[@trenamerritt5344]

Always something to learn. Yes, I do remember you showing and explaining why you dont have concrete ties. What a time you'd have wrangling with all that! Handy dandy sprayer there, too. Glad you watch well over the tracks! Have a happy 4th!

[@ccrx6700]

Certainly appreciate your joining us for the show Trena. Very special to me that you are enjoying these home movies my friend.

[@rayshutsa6690]

Thank you Dave for the education on railroad tie replacement. The one question what is the lifespan of a railroad tie? I have been enjoying your channel and content. Your narration is perfect along with all the other topics. I hope you have a great day. Always waiting for the next video. ❤🇨🇦

[@gravelydon7072]

Tie life varies. You may find some that are bad after 5 years or you may find them still good after 20. On one siding here in Florida I found a tie in the mid 90S that was put in in 1936. It still was in decent shape as it was a tie made out of Cypress heart wood. Depending on the wood ( most are Oak ) and how well they are treated, the climate they are in, how well maintained, and the loads they see will determine how long they last.

[@ccrx6700]

Your certainly welcome Ray and thank you for the very nice comment. Tie life varies depending on the location. Good ballast and good drainage a tie can last 25 or more years. In mud conditions you can cut that in at least half or even more. That is a general rule of thumb. Another thing to consider is the species of wood. Good ties like oak last a lot longer than a softer wood. Also is the amount of time a tie is air dried before creosoting. Maple if not air dried for at least 3 months will rot very quickly if creosoted green, so there are a lot of variables involved.

[@billclements3879]

Cool video

[@richardaustin2640]

Great little update Dave. Never a shortage of things to do! Hope your day at school went well 🙂

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Richard and we do appreciate your tuning in and watching the video my friend.

[@peteacher52]

(NZ) Traditionally, railroad sleepers were cut from Australian Jarra, a super hard eucalypt ideal for the purpose. Over-exploitation meant alternatives had to be found. Enter, tanalised pinus radiata, a poor second best, but one must make do with what one has!

[@cedarcam]

We used Jarra in UK on our points (switches) Never knew it was from Australia I thought it came from Brazil. It sure is a hard wood

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Colin for sharing that. I've never heard of those woods before. We've gotten some ties in the past that were exceedingly difficult to drive spikes in, hydraulic spiker we have won't drive them. We always joked it was African wood. Perhaps those may have been the Jarra? Who knows. Bet you had to pre drill those holes in that stuff. Appreciate your watching the video my friend.

[@donalfinn4205]

‘cut by the tie plate by not more than 40%’!!! My god, that’s SOME leeway?☘️👍

[@ccrx6700]

It certainly is donal finn, we never let our ties get cut that far down. Thank you for taking the time to watch the video and write in. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@truracer20]

It's not quite as bad as it seems, when the track gets tamped the ties are pulled up. A soft tie will continuously wear, to the point that the plate is 40%+ worn through and the tie is still supporting the track.

[@JasperFromMS]

I enjoyed that. I live near the CNIC and they just did ties. It's nice to know why they removed the ones that they did.

[@ccrx6700]

Great to hear you enjoyed the presentation Jasper. We do appreciate your taking the time to write in and for watching my friend.

[@stevemellin5806]

Very interesting thank you

[@ccrx6700]

Great to hear you enjoyed the presentation Steve. We do appreciate your taking the time to write in and for watching my friend.

[@richardbause2453]

Good job as always Dave 👏 👍 👌! Happy 4th of July my friend!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Richard and we do appreciate your tuning in and watching the video today my friend. July 4th will be 12 hours on the RR, I live here if you haven't noticed....LOL

[@richardbause2453]

@@ccrx6700 I know the feeling Dave.

[@Santafefrank]

Thanks Dave

[@ccrx6700]

Great to hear you enjoyed the presentation Frank. We do appreciate your taking the time to write in and for watching my friend.

[@charlesferebee263]

High speed. Overload and Driver abuse. LMAO. Koppers is probably loving this video. 💰💰💰 Hope you have a great weekend. Stay Safe out There 🇺🇸 👍

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Charles. We get all our ties from Applachian Timber in Sutton WV. We got some many years ago from Koppers but were not happy with them, a lot of soft ties. We rarely get soft ties from Applachian and they do all our bridge timbers also. I don't mean to put Koppers down, they are a huge company, just relating our 1 experience with them.

[@PlanetMojo]

Thanks for the great video Dave! I would really enjoy marking ties. I like walking railroad tracks, and it would be interesting to inspect the ties while doing so. Finding boogered-up ties and crushed heads, sounds like an awesome time 😊

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome my friend. Boogered up ties is not a term in the FRA manual but I like it anyway! :-) That put a big smile on my face. Get you a can of orange upside down marking paint and start painting as you walk cause now you know what to look at.

[@PlanetMojo]

@@ccrx6700 I have one of those paint sticks, but I don't think BNSF would appreciate me marking-up their boogered-up ties. Maybe I'll go across the river and mark the Canadian Pacific line for them. The Canadians are good sports... 😉

[@kenmanzo8471]

Great channel!! I have been working the railroad life for 19 years now from a laborer to operator A then Foreman , Foreman Mechanic then to management! Stepped back down to craft as Foreman Mechanic working on the track equipment! It’s a great life if you want it to ! 🙏

[@ccrx6700]

That's awesome Ken! We have a good many railroaders who watch these and it's always nice to meet another one. I thank you so much for the compliment and for checking the video out my friend.

[@tsufordman]

It is hard to imagine one getting a good night's sleep knowing that you only have five ties in spec on a section of rail. Another good video.

[@ccrx6700]

Great to hear you enjoyed the presentation Jerry. We do appreciate your taking the time to write in and for watching my friend. I agree with you 100% on not getting a good sleep with that many bad ties.

[@kevinaurandt6280]

Thanks this was educational…

[@ccrx6700]

Your very welcome Kevin. Thank you for the nice comment and for taking the time to watch and write in tonight my friend.

[@paulsmith5398]

I watch videos of the E&LS in Michigan and Wisconsin, some of their trackage doesnt even come close enough for those standards, yet theyre still alllowed to run trains on it! Those bad ties you marked are better than most of them on E&LS!

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

The sad truth.

[@ccrx6700]

Oh dear Paul. All RR's have their unique set of problems and issues to deal with that's for sure. We have always had a very good tie replacement program here, it's very important to help hold track gage and track surface. I'm exceptionally pleased that management here has never skimped on tie replacement and actually goes over and above what is required by the FRA.

[@paulsmith5398]

@@ccrx6700 The Cumberland is an exceptional example of a very highly maintained railroad, thanks to you and your crews! Have a safe holiday!

[@christopherrabaldo3377]

ND&W - theirs is so bad it is hilarious. I can't believe the train stays on at all.

[@paulsmith5398]

@@christopherrabaldo3377 dont know if you watch E&LS videos, but the cars rock so badly, that they lose logs off the loaded cars! Those two railroads must be in the same category as old songs, "We love Rock and Roll", and, "We Will Rock You".

[@johnreed8336]

Thanks for another entertaining and informative video. I preferred working with wooden sleepers , sorry cross ties than concrete ones . They are more easy to move by hand and seem to have more ' life ' to them or though concrete ties lasts longer . In the p-way team I volunteered with we did have some mechanisation so we could replace between 5 and upto 25 ties in a day . Where as Network Rail only manage about 5 in a day ! So not bad for a bunch of volunteers who all were over 60 !! Looking forward to your next video .

[@ccrx6700]

Your certainly welcome John. Very pleased that your enjoyed the show and we do appreciate your stopping by and watching my friend. Wood is flexible where concrete is not. Car wheel goes off and wood ties are gonna hold up better than concrete too. But RR's are experimenting now with pre stressed concrete ties as the old ones would develop stress cracks under heavy loading. Also they are using a much higher psi concrete now than they used to.