Split Ends! Replacing bad ties by hand

[@richardcooke9948]

I enjoy seeing your rail fans behind the fence.

[@backwoodssolutionsllc9823]

Hope it’s warm there working outside. We’re freezing at 29 today in PA. That’s a never ending job. Best of luck! ❤

[@MillBrookRailroad]

It is not warm here, but it's not bitter cold, either. It's a chilly 29°F here in Vermont. It was a relatively balmy 45°F when I filmed this, back in the middle of November.

[@jacobbutler4812]

The only difference between our backyard railroads is the amount of ties under the rails, everything else is much like yours! Hand built switches and track all by myself, best project I've ever started and will never finish!! Here's to many more years of the MBRR and PT&GRR!

[@armandoperez7967]

Even if it’s a lot smaller than the full size version, the maintenance of the Mill Brook RR is still 💯 percent real railroading! I don’t think anyone would disagree! Great video! Keep it coming!

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Most railroaders would disagree.

[@armandoperez7967]

@@MillBrookRailroad it sure looks real to me.

[@sammisworkshops3762]

I've been working on the rail road, All the live long day...." It is good you show the maintenance days of the MIllbrook RR too. educated folks on what all it takes to keep the RR up n running

[@MillBrookRailroad]

There are more maintenance videos coming up. Stay tuned!

[@martythemartian99]

It's not split ends, it's Split Enz. One of the greatest bands to come out of New Zealand. 😎

[@MillBrookRailroad]

NZ? OMC! How Bizarre. :-)

[@martythemartian99]

@@MillBrookRailroad Oh yeah they were the best and with so many hits. From the very avant-garde Late Last Night in 1976, to the rock sea shanty Six Months In A Leaky Boat in 1982, they left a real legacy. New Zealand is so much more than just Lord of the Rings. 😄

[@mustachemike802]

Not that I know much about backyard railroads, but have you ever considered using self-tapping screws to prevent stress cracking of your ties?

[@MillBrookRailroad]

They are self tapping screws. The old ties are just a little too far gone.

[@csxtraincountingrailfan4452]

Richie Eriksen will be taking me.

[@csxtraincountingrailfan4452]

Are you going to the Albany N.Y. plaza train show this weekend?

[@MillBrookRailroad]

I have some work commitments this weekend, but thanks for asking.

[@poowg2657]

Gotta keep the "railfans" behind the fence. Another great track tute, thanks much!

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Thanks!

[@rencleavus5213]

Hey, the house is sided. Looks good.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

It's only halfway sided.

[@southern207hobbies]

Man if I was closer the ties would be changed out within a few weeks and I'd even chip in on new ballast

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Volunteers welcome.

[@southern207hobbies]

@@MillBrookRailroad maybe after I get my tax return

[@armandoperez7967]

I love the contrast between the pressure treated ties and the creosoted ties, kind of like the regular ties and the recycled ties on the local railroad. I love the heavy continuous welded rail concrete tie main lines! A little version of the concrete tie would look cool on the Mill Brook RR. I wonder if they make it for this gauge?

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Concrete ties? I would need to make them myself.

[@armandoperez7967]

@@MillBrookRailroad They would look awesome!

[@neilindorsetuk.4757]

No, go for plastics, we use them at Moors Valley railway, work well, not sure on price though? @@MillBrookRailroad

[@s16100]

"this is what a railroad looks like that lacks capitol". oh this is PennCentral? LOL

[@ferky123]

Harrisburg and Albany would like a word with you.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Penn Central? No way! More like the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington from days of old.

[@insAneTunA]

I was wondering if you pre-drill the holes before you screw those bolts in but it seems that you don't. The wood would last a lot longer if you did. Recently I installed a new post for my garden fence and I tried something new after I had watched some boat builders using wax for their screws. I pre-drilled my hardwood post for the garden fence that I had to screw to the post, and I greased my screws with a substantial amount of copper grease. I suppose that any type of grease or wax for the screws would make the wood last much longer.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Interesting thoughts. I've thought about pre-drilling, but I haven't been organized enough to have a drill template made. Now that you mention it, I may have one done.

[@insAneTunA]

@@MillBrookRailroad They all seem to be split right where the screws are located. And the rest of the wood looks as if it could have lasted a lot longer. It doesn't seem to be rotten or soft. They just split. I mean, you do not have to pre-drill the wood on a bench, because that might be tricky with installing the rail. But with a second drill it only takes seconds to pre drill the wood. And what also helps a lot to prevent splitting is to paint the end grain from the wood. It doesn't have to be pretty, as long as it seals the end grain it is good. So dipping the wood in the paint is the fastest method for that.

[@insAneTunA]

Or oil.

[@kittty2005]

For the hooks that snag the flange of the base you could fab. some from those one inch long 1/4 x20 nuts and drill the threads out so they will slide. just sayin.

[@artillerest43rdva7]

so do you have a good number of ties to replace? now your track inspector has to get out an do his task. how is Mr. Batcat doing? staying in side more to stay warm? or does he like to forage in the cold weather? great job, it seems that all the maintenance ion the track is very time consuming, good luck getting it done before the snow flies! take care Aaron.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

I do have a lot of ties to replace. With the new ties I will need for track construction, my tie needs have jumped into the thousands. Mr Batcat likes to go outside year round and in any weather. He goes out early in the morning to hunt and comes in for a snack every so often. We've had three snow storms so far, and each time, it has melted. If it warms up into the 40's again, I'll replace a couple more sticks of rail and maybe replace a few more ties before I stop regular maintenance for the winter. No matter how much you get done, you always find something you missed that you have to leave for spring.

[@lordsherifftakari4127]

the never ending ordeal of Tie replacement. I'm beginning to wonder if it's worth it to replace ties via panel. could be useful in areas where the rail itself is worn down. time to call in the MBRY Track crew for a weekender? building and rebuilding track panels to replace bad ties.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Sometimes, replacing the whole panel makes sense. The thing that puts a monkey wrench in any track building plans is that I have to get some more pressure treated 2x4's.

[@THE_BaconPirate]

Would it help any to replace some of those 4 x 4 railroad ties with 6 x 6 railroad ties there in the corners where there is higher stress?

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Wider ties won't really help much. In a curve, you want more screws holding the track in gauge, and you want the ties to not split on the ends when you drive a screw in them. Sometimes, relay ties are more brittle than they look, and therefore closer to the end of their usefulness than you think.

[@wolftrainservicesltd6418]

5 deg f here and snow

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Brrrrrr!

[@jurysummons2194]

Can the rail be swapped end-to-end so the worn inner side of the rail head would now be on the outside?

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Yes, but only where that hasn't already been done once.

[@kittty2005]

Get some 1/4 threaded rod and brass nuts to make adjustable gauge rods for those pesky areas.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

It's a good idea. I've been working on something that uses 3/8 threaded rod.

[@petercruikshank2618]

The #70 was looking on approvingly knowing your MOW love may lead to less embarrassing derailments for her. Instead of measure twice cut once, for you it's gauge thrice ( or more), insert tie once.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Check gauge, change tie, check gauge, put in first and second screws, check gauge, put in third screw, check gauge, put in fourth screw, check gauge and move on to the next tie.

[@thetrainman2013]

What ever happened to that blue wooden Homemade loco?

[@MillBrookRailroad]

It's in storage, waiting for me to have time to work on it.

[@thetrainman2013]

@@MillBrookRailroadthanks for letting me know just getting worried to see possible someone’s hard work go to waste

[@kittty2005]

Sub to Jason Asselin he follows E&LS rail road up in the U.P. of Michigan about 50 miles north of the 45th parallel. The E&LS is an under capitalized railroad they currently run 2 SD40-2s and1 GP-38 and1 SD-40 their track is nearly as bad as the ND & W (Napoleon Defiance and Western) railroad at least E&LS have stretches where they can run 25 but most of the time 5 and 10.

[@marktaylor9975]

They inherited Milw track too. The best of the best of “limited maintenance” railroads. That dash-2 is Milw too.

[@Keikdv]

What? A Mow-train but no caboose? Where do those hard workers eat their lunch then?

[@MillBrookRailroad]

The caboose is at the Shady Pines Railroad, so they'll have to drive the three miles to eat in the caboose. Most of my car fleet is in the barn at the Shady Pines Railroad. Inside. Safe from the elements. I'll be able to bring it all home once I get the train shed built.

[@mikeashely8198]

Your track crew seemed to be a little upset not helping you on your Repair in your railroad

[@MillBrookRailroad]

They'll get over it.

[@crazynachos4230]

I just realized that the title says you replace the ties by hand, is it possible to replace them not by hand? Are you hiding some secret rail machinery??

[@MillBrookRailroad]

The title was intended for a wider audience than my usual viewers. Many of whom are not aware how little machinery is available for small gauge railroad track maintenance. I'm glad you mentioned it, though. I would love to have some secret machinery.

[@BNSFGP38]

You will never replace ties to correct gauge and regret it.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Absolutely right!

[@garykuipers2696]

Is there any way that you can fabricate gauge rods to help keep the rail in gauge?😎🚂🚃🚃🚃✝

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Perhaps, but it's a time and money thing at the moment. I either have the time or the money, not both. Not yet, at least.