The Worst Section of Track We Have

[@johnnycee5179]

There sure is ALOT more maintenance involved in r.r. track than the average person is aware of. With the cost of everything going through the roof your costs are getting worse as well. Great job Dave

[@ccrx6700]

Glad you enjoyed Johnny. yes sir costs have risen on the RR a whole lot in the past several years. Thank you so much for checking out the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@jmd18]

The way we do mud spots on my RR is, we unspike 4 ties and pull them out. We leave the 5 one to hold the gage. Then we take our wide bucket and clean out between the ties we left in there. Then we slide the ties back under the rail (if they are any good), respike them and then dump fresh rock on top. We do have a narrow cribbing bucket too, but only use it if it is a small mud spot. 4-5 cribs.

[@ccrx6700]

That is perfect JMD, but bet you are never working alone doing it. 90% of the time when I'm cribbing I have me and about half the time have someone to run a regulator for me. So while your way is much better than mine, I just cannot do all that by myself and keep a train running at the same time. We have done that in the past a few times when we had man power to pull spikes and re spike, the bump the 5th tie and clean under it, but it's just so rare I get any kind of help to do that. Appreciate your writing in and for watching the video today my good man.

[@AlanMullen-w1f]

Good job, lots of work. Looks good at the end. thanks (Alan)

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you and yes it was a lot of work, but is still holding up well today Alan, it was worth the effort. Really appreciate your taking the time to check out the video and may you have a very good day my friend.

[@tommyzcat]

Monongahela, PA is my hometown so this channel is like listening to my great uncles talk about their time in the mills and on the river! Thanks Dave, you are a Gem.

[@ccrx6700]

That's not far from me Tommy Z Cat. The guy who owns the farm next to me lives in Monongahela, he used to make trolly poles for the mine cars at Maple Creek. We have a lot of good history of industry in our area.

[@wes5150.]

re: 1:52 'YIKES' ! I hope that's not on your High Speed Main Track !(Just Kidding) Thanks for another great video tour !

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Wes and Thank You for stopping by and taking in the presentation today my friend.

[@glenmchargue5461]

If I could offer a suggestion: I love trains and I love jargon. In the moments when the train is rolling by or you are walking the track, if you could just narrate more of what you see through your experience, different cart types, different track hardware, etc. Get even more technical and train geeky (a good thing). You are really good at this already and I've learned so much, I love it, and I know lots of your viewers already know a ton. But I am not one of those viewers, and I want to learn more.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks for the suggestion Glen. I have around 250 videos and a good part of them explain a lot about railroading, now I don't expect you to go binge watch to find out everything, but probably most of what you want to know is in a video someplace. But I do think you are right, narration of different things appeals to a large audience whether they have heard it before. I just made a video this past week of a CSX train thru a curve that had an excessive amount of flange squeal. So part of that video is after the train I walked the track and show in the video my hypothesis on why the excessive amount of noise showing the deviations in the rail head bright band where the train wheels run on and a good bit more. So this is the kind of thing you are seeking, although I have no idea when that video will come out. Thank you for your kind words and for watching today. I'm always open to suggestions my friend.

[@raymondsprengelmeyer1278]

It always seems like when one thing goes wrong, a whole string of things go wrong. You always keep your sense of humor, what a great attitude! Thank you for sharing Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

Your right about that Raymond! But that's life and railroading. Really appreciate your very nice comment and for all your great support of the channel my friend.

[@MrChappy39]

Ballast in such an underrated aspect to rail line integrity.

[@ccrx6700]

You are so right in that my friend. Thank you for writing in and for taking the time to check out the video. May you have a most blessed day Four Foot 8 and a Bit. I once had a girlfriend who was 4 foot 8, she was very self conscious of being so short. I always told her she was too tall, I really wanted a girl who was 4 foot 6, she just rolled her eyes at me when I said that. I don't think she believed me....:-)

[@michaelball760]

I feel your pain, we have many pumping spots like that. Ours comes from track being built on a dry lake bed, hard to keep ballast under everything when it sinks and disappears.

[@ccrx6700]

Pumping track is never a good thing, let go too long then you end up with loose spikes and the tie bottoms worn out. But that's railroading. Really appreciate all your great support of the channel for such a long time now my good friend.

[@4everdc302]

Adverse conditions but the right man's on the job⚒️👷Thanks for showing us it ain't always rainbows on the railroad🚂🇨🇦🇺🇲🙋

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Doug for the kind comment. Am hoping to see ccrx cribbing ties on your track sometime.... LOL But you got a nice track with no mud. Always great to have you visit with me my good friend. YT hasn't sent me any notifications of new videos from you since your trip, hope I haven't missed any.

[@4everdc302]

@@ccrx6700 There a new project video up about 5 days ago and a "short"with a future announcement in it👍

[@4everdc302]

@@ccrx6700 kzbin.info/www/bejne/q56moaJtadeHia8

[@ccrx6700]

@@4everdc302 dang they didnt notify me. I always like watch your stuff will check out channel home page

[@TheRrxing]

Wish I could put the train part on a loop for the times I can’t sleep. Love the sounds

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Eddy for taking the time to watch the video and write in. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@tomeasley5979]

Dave, it is a good thing you stay on top of things, even with equipment problems. What a spongy mess. It will sure be nice when you get it cribbed out. Thanks for sharing this video with us.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Tom, sometimes it's a struggle, but that's railroading! At least we don't give up. This is now one of the best sections of track we have which you will see in an upcoming video. This is the first of a 4 part mini series. Always great when you pay us a visit my friend.

[@DeadlyDiddly]

Hi Dave, have you ever done a video where you put your hi-rail truck on the tracks or taken it off and driven away? I'd like to see that. 😀👍

[@ccrx6700]

No I have not DeadlyDiddly, thanks for the suggestion, I will keep that in mind for a future show. Always appreciate suggestions on what folks would like to see. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@billsmith3195]

Great one again Dave. Keep em a coming. Enjoy them.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Bill, glad you enjoyed, Sorry for the late reply, YT doesn't always send me stuff right away, go figure. Hope you are doing well my friend.,

[@irongoatrocky2343]

Dave your like I was/am always something to fix or do never enough time or help to do it...... so you just make the best with what you have.....its all one can do!

[@ccrx6700]

Your absolutely right in that irongoatrocky. Do what you can with the time, man power and machinery you have. Very much appreciate all your great support of the channel for such a long time now my friend.

[@beverlymichael5830]

Equipment part shortage, people shortages and you have your hands full with challenges. Thanks for the video. Amazed on movement of the track as train goes over it.

[@ccrx6700]

We are not the only ones with challenges to deal with Beverly, but you do what you can with what you've got. Really appreciate your visiting with me today to take in the video my friend.

[@ronhelman3985]

Great video Dave, that's pretty cool!!!👍👍👍👍👍

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Ron for the kind words. So glad you enjoyed. We really appreciate all the great support you give to the channel for such a long time now my friend.

[@northdetroit7994]

Thanks, Dave.

[@ccrx6700]

Your very welcome North Detroit. Glad you had a good time. We do appreciate your checking out the show today my good man.

[@derrickanderson4932]

Keep cool and stay safe Great Video Dave.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Derrick. Very glad you liked the show. Always great to have you pay me a visit my friend.

[@zenoelea8239]

Great video. Sounds like its lacking a foundation slope, matting and vapour barrier to ensure water runs into your drain. But that's a big big drainage re railing job.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Zeno and very glad you enjoyed. Got the drainage problems taken care of and will be 3 more videos out in this series where you will see how really nice things are now. Water is running away from the track instead of back into it like before. Appreciate your checking out the show my friend.

[@326dad]

Do the best you can with what you have to work with ! Another great show Dave ! Stay safe

[@ccrx6700]

Your right in that Kurt. Thanks so much for the very nice comment and for checking out the video today my friend.

[@paser11385]

thanks for showing us the hard work you guys and gals do on the daily. thanks for keeping America moving!!!! god bless

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Ken. Very glad you liked the show. Always great to have you pay me a visit my friend.

[@290wayne]

Another fine video. Thanks Dave..

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Wayne, so good of you to write in and take the time to watch my friend.

[@Airman..]

3:54 great footage of rail dynamics

[@ccrx6700]

Glad you enjoyed the show Airman. We really appreciate your taking the time to watch and write in my friend.

[@yrunaked4]

Pumpin mud, I used to watch trains pump mud on the Illinois Central when I was a kid, I always thought it was neat back then. Sure is a problem though. Thanks for sharing. Cheers Rob

[@ccrx6700]

It is neat when you don't have to fix it or be the engineer of a train going over it....LOL Thank you Rob for stopping by and taking in the presentation today my good man.

[@rayshutsa6690]

Dave this sure is a bad section of track. It sure is muddy and is moving a lot. You never let things get you down. Love your explanation of what is wrong and what you need to do to repair it.l love your channel and content. Looking forward for more video's on the repair. ❤🇨🇦

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks so much Ray for the kind words, sorry my friend, YT was hiding this older post from me and I just found it. By now you've seen all 4 videos in the mini series so there is quite a difference.

[@rodchallis8031]

The excavator track issue took me back to problem solving in the factory. Whenever I saw guys scratching their heads not being able to figure out a problem-- guys that had maybe over a century of experience between them-- I knew someone had made a wrong assumption somewhere along the line. That being said, if the new track had the same part number as the old one that probably would have stumped me too.

[@ccrx6700]

Well Rod, here's what happened. Replacement track was made in china. That first day when we tried I told my helper I bet that replacement track is an odd size. When the second new track came the salesman told me they had a bad batch of tracks come in. I freaked out and said why in the world did you send me a track when you knew it was a bad batch. At least they finally made it right, new replacement was made in Tiawan and went right on. What is surprising to me is that with the several hundred comments on this video, no one yet has made a reference to first track must have been made in china! I figured I'd get a hundred comments on that! LOL So your the first to know where that was made.

[@tomedgar4375]

Thanks Dave for another great video

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Tom. Very glad you liked the show. Always great to have you pay me a visit my friend.

[@Jim-jh79fb]

Thank you Dave I kind of figured it was greasing the wheels but wasn't quite sure

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Jim. Thanks for asking.

[@richardaustin2640]

Well Dave, you certainly are a jack of all trades and master of all I'm guessing 😉 So much going on there, yet hidden traps if some aren't approached the right way. Your knowledge is gold!

[@billmoran3812]

When you work for a small railroad, that’s what you do. Everyone wears multiple hats.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you so much Richard for the very kind comment. We do appreciate your checking out the presentation today my friend.

[@ericcoffedgp40]

That EMD sounded excellent flying by! Excellent footage, another very enjoyable and educational installment Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Eric. So glad you had a good time with us. We do appreciate your taking in the show today my friend.

[@ericcoffedgp40]

@@ccrx6700 Sure thing! Always happy to come along!

[@john6218att]

Really enjoy your videos Dave, too bad you guys can't get more help, its tough finding good workers these days.

[@ccrx6700]

I'm really glad to hear that john. So glad you are having a good time with us and we do appreciate your watching my friend.

[@annyer262]

Looks just like the Belair line, South Australia. I used to catch the train to school over tracks like this!

[@ccrx6700]

We really appreciate your taking the time to stop by and check things out. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@michaelpass2176]

That business for someone! To me Dave the bedding needs to all replace. Take all the crap out make new bed and new rock😊

[@ccrx6700]

If we had the time Michael, that track does need to be taken out and all the garbage bull dozed out, but we simply didn't have the time to do it. But it's beautiful track now.

[@Arkay315]

Wow those are some muddy rails, looks like it would almost be easier to pack a lot more ballast in and raise the track bed. Keep up the good maitenance work

[@ccrx6700]

It has been all cribbed out now and is one of the best sections of track we have, got 3 more videos coming out in this mini series Arkay where you can see various things we did and stages of work. Track is now about 8 to 10 inches higher than it was when we first started. Tons of good ballast under those ties now. Thanks so much my friend for checking out the show tonight.

[@paulbergen9114]

That sure was some rough area to crib. You'd never imagine that wet mud could suddenly become a brick sad to say it also reminded me of my grandmother's oatmeal bread. In the Midwest many lines have this problem due to bad drainage from adjoining properties. Combined with the switch problems you've got your work cut out for you again. At least the cars and engines were in good working order

[@ccrx6700]

Oatmeal bread, sounds interesting, have never heard of that before. All RR's have problems Paul, we are not unique in the mud spots. Really appreciate your taking in the video today and for all your great support of the channel for such a long time my friend.

[@trenamerritt5344]

Track was moving up and down. Glad you're doing your best with repair/upkeep! Take each thing as it comes. Nail the important stuff first then work on the rest as you can, just like you've been doing. Even a little is progress. Glad you got your trac fixed! Crazy having two totally different sets with same part numbers! My dad would have noticed the difference and then figured out why. Idk what webding was behind the part numbers. Not a good idea. What a pain!

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Trena, just keep on keepin on with what we have to work with. But that's life. Defective track was made in China, the good replacement track came from Taiwan. But we're right back in business now. There will be 3 more videos out next on our work here, it is now beautiful track and we've started the next project further down the track. Always good when you pay me a visit my friend.

[@TruthProvider]

With the rail bouncing up and down like that, I’m amazed metal fatigue doesn’t set in sooner causing breaks. What a constant challenge you face with keeping that ballast dry and firm. Great channel, thanks.

[@ccrx6700]

Yes it is a constant challenge, but that's why they have me to handle it! ... LOL Rail is amazing at how flexible it is but your right eventually if that kept up for an extended amount of time things are going to start breaking. I'm really surprised those joint bars hadn't broken before, they are the weak link in the chain. Thanks so much for paying us a visit and taking in the show my friend.

[@markshogan2642]

The muddy track reminded me of the old Penn Central mainline near Cleveland.

[@ccrx6700]

PC had their share of bad track for sure Mark, but they had to money and management that couldn't get along, it was doomed from the start. Very much appreciate your dropping by and watching the video today my good man.

[@michaelpass2176]

Have a good nights sleep my friend!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Michael and you too my friend.

[@michaelpass2176]

Dontdreams of laying Thais!

[@s16100]

Very interesting information about cribbing and hot weather. I never thought about a sun Kink happening much easier and or your machine causing it because nothing is holding it in place.

[@ccrx6700]

Very glad you liked that Bryan. We do appreciate your taking the time to watch and write in today my friend.

[@osvaldorivera2269]

Keep doing your best 👍👍

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Osvaldo for the encouragement. Yep gotta just keep on keepin on. Really appreciate your stopping in on us and taking in the video today my friend.

[@curtw8827]

Thanks for the video. I think you deserve a nice, new safety vest.

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Curt, very glad you enjoyed. Will have to take a trip to Mendards, they got a nice selection of safety vests there, but it will just get dirty again. Really appreciate your visiting with me on the show my friend.

[@rickcooper6817]

Thanks Dave, good video. You sure got a bunch going on there in that section. Looking forward to seeing what she looks like when you finish. Stay safe my friend!!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Rick. Got 3 more videos coming out of our work here where you can see various stages of the rehabilitation. This is now one of the best sections of track we have, everyone is very happy with the final product. Always great to have you visit with me my friend.

[@hughgautier3894]

91 here in NW Florida at730 pm as well and slowly going down. We lost the light breeze that was felt this afternoon while out in the Gulf of Mexico just South of me, it was raining.

[@ccrx6700]

Our hot weather is now behind us Hugh, gonna be down at night this weekend in the 40's, my kind of weather. We would like to say Thank You very much for taking the time to visit with us today and watch the presentation my friend.

[@Hyrev1]

It can make for a long, long day (or more), especially when the problem is totally out of your control. It definitely helps you appreciate the good days! Thanks for another great video Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Jim. Really appreciate the nice comment and for all your great support of the channel my friend.

[@Santafefrank]

Thanks Dave

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome Frank. Was nice of you to take the time to check out the show today my friend.

[@christopherleenknecht920]

Great video Dave, glad to hear that's there is going to be another series 👍 😀 🚂

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Christopher. Yep there will be 3 more in this mini series. This is now one of the best sections of track we have as you will see in those upcoming shows. Really appreciate your visiting with me today my friend.

[@lifeintornadoalley]

Was just thinking of you today. Our line is stacking equipment to do track maintenance here in SW Oklahoma. They just parked 2 ballast trains, 2 cranes, and that yellow one that pulls spikes. Wish they'd stop and crew change in my yard more often but they don't sadly. I'd love to get to know it up close!

[@ccrx6700]

Cool! Wonder if those guys watch my videos to see how it's done....LOL Very much appreciate your taking the time to watch the video and write in my friend.

[@P61guy61]

Thank you for posting!

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome William. Thank You for taking the time to watch and write in tonight my friend.

[@morse2795]

Wow, I couldn't believe how much that track would move up and down when the train was going over it. This is interesting to see how you repair that issue

[@ccrx6700]

Glad you liked that part William. Appreciate your taking the time to watch and write in my friend.

[@TriGogglin]

Another great education by Dave, the average person like me dosnt realize that the temperature has such an effect on things like this, if you crib out the ballast and it's exposed to movement. And I have come up against a dozer track issue like you had on your Excavator, very frustrating indeed. But glad you finally got it worked out... Great video Dave, keep them coming buddy...

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Pappy, somehow I missed this comment, sorry about that. Weather plays a very big role in track conditions, just glad I don't work the Alaskan RR or the Trona RR out in the Mojave desert, those guys have BIG problems to deal with concerning the weather.

[@artillerest43rdva7]

wonderful great coverage of the water effects upon the track / rails. with all that pounding as the track jumps up and down as the train passes in those areas. it is so good that you are getting the drainage all set. the more that you are able to remove the water and flexing of the track will become better it will stay together and not separate into pieces from all the movement. just caught your vid before going to bed catch you tomorrow,

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Barry for the nice comment. Always great when you visit with me my friend. And hope you sleep well. More videos coming out on all the work we did here, it is now one of the best sections of track we have.

[@Boilermaker-Rick]

When it rains it pours! Hope things got better for you Dave!

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Rick, sorry but missed your post when it came out, by now you've seen all 4 videos in this mini series, quite a big difference. Appreciate your watching this one my friend.

[@richardbause2453]

Dave, I'll send you the pictures 📷 of MP-4 on the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley RR. When it gets that bad, the 4 R's come into play; Remove, Regrade, Reset, Reballest. That's what we're looking to do at Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley RR. Lot quicker and that looks about the same distance that we plan to do. Have to do the switch first at the station 🚉. Stay safe. Richard Bause

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Richard. Got 3 more videos on this work coming out next, it's beautiful track now. Really appreciate your visiting with us and taking in the presentation my friend.

[@richardbause2453]

@@ccrx6700 your welcome Dave. Catch up with you later and stay safe. Good night 😴 🌃 🌙.

[@valeriebassett3107]

Great educational video. Keep cool and stay safe.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Valerie. It was hot that day, glad that really hot stuff is over for the year, looking forward to those 30 and 40 degree days. It's always a special night when you come and visit with me my friend.

[@johnsmart964]

Thank you for bringing us this very interesting and informative video presentation, it certainly is a never-ending job dealing with these maintenance matters, I was sorry to hear about the problems you had with machinery but am glad things are working now, it can certainly hold up proceedings. We are looking forward to the end result of the cribbing.

[@ccrx6700]

Your welcome John. Problems happen but you deal with them and go on. Got 3 more videos coming next and you will see how beautiful this section is now. it turned out really well. Very much appreciate all your wonderful comments and support of the channel my friend.

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Great video and explanation Dave, very informative we learn a lot from these! (Dave).

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Steve for the very nice comment. Always a pleasure to have you visit with me my good friend.

[@DrJonez]

3:54 Wow! I never realized the track could move around that much. Kinda scary!

[@ccrx6700]

This was a rather extreme case, but it does happen as you can see and yes the track can move a lot when there is all that mud and not much ballast. When it gets like that, it just continues to get worse until the mud gets dug out. That section is now in really good shape and has stayed that way since the video was taken. Thank you very much for checking out the video. May you have a very good day my friend.

[@SIGINT007]

That muddy section of track that you are fixing was just called "Tuesday" on a lot of Class 1's back in the 70's-90's

[@ccrx6700]

That's an interesting misnomer. I got a lot of Tuesday's to fix ....LOL Thank you so much for dropping in on us and watching today my good man.

[@petesilcox4102]

Ground water , springs under track, need deeper ditches and under drains of steel pipes to drain area to slow the problem . Will always be a problem in the area with high water table area Old Pete

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Pete for writing in and sharing you thoughts. We very much appreciate your taking the time to visit with us and check out the video. May you have a most blessed day my friend.

[@lewistodd9242]

Thanks for another informative video Dave. I love how you tell us what can happen with the different weather conditions. Have a great day.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Lewis for the very kind words. We really appreciate all your great support for such a long time now of the channel my friend.

[@robbypolter6689]

When I see the entire track body, the ballast bed is relatively flat and clogged with sand. A new drainage would have to be provided to the right and left of the track system and the bushes would have to be cut back. Do you have the possibility to dig drainage ditches to the right and left of the track bed? Another thing I noticed when the coal train drove by was cracking and crunching noises, as if the tracks had been washed out and ridged edges. The next noticeable thing was the breathing of the rails with the sleepers, which were almost 10 cm in the vertical. Due to this mechanical load, comparable to bending a piece of sheet metal, the material becomes rough and cracked at the bending edge and then breaks at this point. A small hairline crack develops at this stress point on the splint, this crack becomes visible during an ultrasound check. What I also noticed, the echotter from the track bed had too different grain sizes, the smaller stones fill in the gaps between the larger ones over time and block the drainage of rainwater. In the area that can be seen in the video, I would remove all the ballast there and lay out a new track bed in the form of a wide truncated pyramid. If you have the time and interest, google Deutsche Bahn/Gleisbau or Gleisbau Spitzke - Die Gleisprofis, you could certainly get a few suggestions there. Don't forget at work, safety first.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Robby for taking the time to watch and write in. The crunching sound of some of the car wheels was from coal falling out of a leaky door and getting ran over. There are 3 more videos coming out in this mini series and hope you will watch them also. The second part just came out and here is the link to see it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWStYqt3opJ8qZI

[@kbob871]

Dave you do very good on your videos we run across different ground where I live it can make it difficult. Always like your ideas thanks

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Tom for the very kind words. All RR's have problems somewhere eventually. That's a lot of heavy pounding from those trains. Really appreciate your stopping by and taking in the video my friend.

[@petezapadka]

Love it, Dave! Especially seeing the trains go by and seeing all of the green in the County of Greene! Keep up the good work. Can't wait for the next video!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Pete, always great to have you pay me a visit my friend. Greene is Green!

[@mickryan2450]

Needs a ballstcleaner

[@arcapelico]

Dave I love your vids and presentations about trains and rail operations. your vids and content are superior. My drill sergeant told us to prepare our selves as if we were going to talk to the president when we were going to talk to a large number of people. I listened to him and it paid off. You have the world as an audience. Please look in the mirror. Get your teeth cleaned Shave before each video. Make people want to hear what you have to say. You have an addictive smile and captivating laugh. Dress the part my friend and quadruple your subscriptions.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you archipelago, very glad you are enjoying. I hear you on your thoughts. problem being in presenting myself. I work, I get dirty, I don't carry a shave kit with me on the track. often these videos are made spur of the moment, I don't have a script to follow, it's 95% off the cuff. There is no dress rehearsal. I dress the part of a working man who sometimes makes these videos after doing 8 or 10 hours work and often while I am working. After working a full shift in the hot weather should I look like a hollywood movie star fresh out of the make up room? I do get my teeth cleaned at local dentist regularly, but also understand I'm not a movie star that has a make up artist with them right before they go on camera. In the same light I do certainly wish I did look more presentable, I'm not photogenic like some people and I understand that. For a long time I never showed myself on camera until I got so many requests to do that. It becomes kinda like a catch 22 situation. And I don't have all the answers yet. Your thoughts:

[@cedarcam]

The track looked bad there but the train did not roll a lot which is good. No wonder you had a problem fitting the track on the excavator. Same part number different part Crazy. Hope it cooled off a bit now that heat is not good to work in.

[@ccrx6700]

First defective track was made in China, go figure. Salesman said when we returned it they had a bad batch come in. I was not happy and yelled at him if they knew there was a bad batch then why did you send me a track from that batch. Anyway second good replacement was made in Taiwan. This is now one of the best sections we have as you will see in some upcoming videos. Always great to have you pay me a visit my friend.

[@ocsrc]

I really wish I could get an old forest fire utility truck with the water cannon and 5000 gallon tank. I would love to try blasting out the mud and ballast out from the ties and see if it would work. It would be cool to see it become skeleton track and bring ballast hoppers behind and dump new ballast in one smooth process

[@ccrx6700]

I really hope you can find one, make sure it has hi rails on it too. I would like to see how it works out also. Just gotta figure out how to get that much water to the job site. We are too far away from creeks to pump it up to the track. Thanks so much my friend for dropping on on us and watching the show today.

[@JD-kg3mx]

Dave, why in the heck didn’t I ever think of a career in railroading?! I’m an old blue collar that worked building and grounds maintenance with electrical certs including welding and did pretty good but I think I’d love to work the railroad as a tech. It looks like a great career.

[@ccrx6700]

Technology on the RR has been steadily increasing for past many years in a lot of different aspects of railroad work. They need competent folks like you J D. Way back when we started tech jobs on the RR weren't many. Thanks for taking in the video today my good man.

[@truthseeking3818]

I love this channel.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you Truth Seeking, really glad to hear you are having a good time with us. Apologize for the late reply.

[@googoo-gjoob]

excellent job, Dave. you took ugliness and put a pretty good shine on it! wise move to position yourself to watch a train over the area. do you ever get to ride a train across your area? highrailing, watching trains are good. but nothing beats being in the cab. you realize your problem spots are worse than you thought. and places you thought were ok will have spots calling out to you. thanks again. keep up the good work and _great_ disposition.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you googoo gjoob for the very kind words. You'll see how beautiful this whole section turns out in a near future video, got 3 more to come in this mini series. I do get to ride loco a good bit when hauling ballast, that's always fun cause they usually let me drive! But your so right, hi railing is good, watching car tops is good, but you feel things in the loco your not other wise aware of. I do ask the train operators all the time how a certain section of track rides for them. Couple of them are really good at letting me know that I should check a certain section out, that something didn't feel quite right.

[@shawnpowell5876]

Great video and tutorial of the track cribbing etc due to rain. Didn't know that when you mix the dirt with coal that it makes it harder and increases its resistance. Once again I've learned something new! Your job security will never go away Dave lol. You certainly do a fine job being a Jack of all Trades especially when it comes to RAILROADS! Thanks again Dave and look fwd to seeing your next video! Cheers from Delmar, Delaware!

[@ccrx6700]

Very glad you had a good time with us Shawn. We really appreciate all your great support of the channel and all your great comments my friend.

[@mustralineabsorbine5082]

Interesting. Now I understand how hot weather affects rails so that "sun kinks" occur. Who would have thought 136 lbs. rail would get kinked by heat. Thanks. :)

[@ccrx6700]

Glad to hear you enjoyed and found something out mustraline. We really appreciate all your great support of the channel for such a long time now my friend.

[@raypitts4880]

@@ccrx6700 iv heard that railways like curves to take out some of the expansion also a pain for traction pulling curves.

[@Brett3am]

Awesome video as always... great camera work!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Brett for the very kind words. We really appreciate your taking the time to watch and write in my friend.

[@Crazeejay]

Great video Dave! 👍

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Crazeejay. Really kind of you to stop by and check out the presentation tonight my friend. So glad you enjoyed.

[@espeescotty]

Boy Dave, she's a real mud pump right there! I know you'll get it whipped back into shape, but it sure looks daunting right now. Thanks bud. Oh yeah, I liked that little sped-up bit in the middle where you're digging out the cribs. You got to use both hands and feet and we got to see the progress really nicely. 👍

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Scotty, glad you enjoyed. Always good to have you pay me a visit on the show my good friend. Got 3 more videos coming out on all the work we did here. It's now one of the best sections of track we have. I like the sped up portions but it's a challenge to find decent royalty free music to fit in with it. Takes a long time to review what all my video editor has in music stock.

[@espeescotty]

@@ccrx6700 Good, I'll be watching. I know what you mean about the music. It's the same when I do a sunset video or a driving video. But it's so nice when you get it right.

[@ccrx6700]

@@espeescotty 😊👍

[@russelltrupia4479]

Wow Dave that track did look really bad but I'am sure you will take care of it.👍👍

[@ccrx6700]

Gonna be 3 more videos out in this mini series next Russell show you what all we did here. It's now one of the best sections of track we have. Everyone is very happy with it. Thanks so much my friend for visiting with me tonight and taking in the show.

[@6firefightin]

As always, you’re the best at what you do! Love the videos. You’re a great guy! 🍻 🍻

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you my good man for the very kind comment. We really appreciate your dropping in on us to check out the show today.

[@shirleyharrington-moore9657]

Hi Dave. I have a few more questions: Did you collect the broken Kabota track for scrap metal or for another purpose? How did you get the machine home that way? I can't imagine leaving equipment that far from the shop. I'd have loved to see the new track installed. Thank you for allowing a non railroader to ask questions. Love your laugh.

[@ccrx6700]

Bad track went into the dumpster Shirley, it was rubber track. Did repairs in field beside track and machine is still up there on the other end of the curve doing more cribbing. Always enjoy hearing from you my friend.

[@mattkinnard6899]

As always, quality content! I've used some of your tips and tricks now on the 1/8 scale ride on trains. Every bit helps!

[@ccrx6700]

Very glad you had a good time with us Matt. Always great to have you pay me a visit my good friend. do you have a 1/8 scale excavator with cribbing bucket? LOL

[@cecilledbetter2715]

good one

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Cecil. Very glad you liked the show. Always great to have you pay me a visit my friend.

[@charlierumsfeld6626]

Like the videos. Please keep them coming

[@ccrx6700]

Glad to hear you are having a good time with us Charlie. Appreciate very much your taking the time to watch my friend.

[@jw4620]

So there's a lot more to it than just dumping rock on it and tamping it. Shazam! Really like the EMDs! Thanks!

[@ccrx6700]

Yep, don't want to make things too easy for me jw....LOL Really appreciate your dropping in on us and watching the video my friend.

[@johnathanlewis2049]

Hi Dave. Great video. Railroading sure does encompass a lot of ground so to speak other than just running trains.

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Johnathan. Yes sir it does and it's a real honor for me to be able to share a part of what goes on behind the scenes to keep those trains running. Stuff no one else ever puts out on YT. Always good to hear from you my friend.

[@jonwatt678]

Excellent explanations Dave. My experience usually involves having a track come off in some deep muck or if you're real lucky a pin breaks & the track is off the machine.... Question.. I notice one end of the cars are painted red and marked "rotator end". What does this mean??

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Jon, yep tracks always goof up at the worst possible time. Was shoving with a dozer one time down a steep grade when the one side track separated, never a dull moment. This one split while I was up on track so quickly got it off before it went in two. The colored panels on hopper cars denote the rotary coupler end. If you watch other trains out there, sometimes the color is white or blue or yellow. Thanks for stopping by and checking out the show today my friend.

[@erniemathews5085]

These roadbeds are constructed like Roman roads. Gee, the preparation alone is tough.

[@ccrx6700]

Really appreciate your paying us a visit Ernie and checking out the presentation my good man. Rome only wished they had a few of these excavators around when building their roads.

[@kevinaurandt6280]

Is there a chance that there is a spring under there somewhere, or a channel off the banks and behind that allows rain water to seep under the track bed in that area? With that vertical action on the rail/ties, it’s like a natural pump to pull water in and release along the underlying ground…look I dunno noffin’, just wondering 😳. I’m fascinated with the amount of detailed work to keep the track in satisfactory condition.

[@ccrx6700]

There was very poor drainage in that area along with the ballast being completely contaminated with mud Kevin. Yes you are right in that when a train loads that rail, it pushes water and mud down and then when it unloads, acts like a pump pulling water and more mud up with it. Perpetual cycle that ends up with the results of the mess we had. it's all fixed up now with no mud, great drainage and all good ballast. Thank you so very much for watching and writing in my friend.

[@stevenramiza9249]

Dave you guys should think about getting a sled to jack the track up out of the mud . I worked for cp rail we had one locomotive tows it pulls underneath the ties levels the mud puts track back down you dump Rock and crank it up with tamper buys you time with the mud

[@ccrx6700]

Sounds interesting Steven, is there a video on YT of that thing in operation? I would really like to see it work. There are 3 more videos coming out about what all we did here, and this is now one of the best sections of track we have. I did crank it up with the tamper after the new rock was put in, this is now about 8 to 10 inches higher than when we started. Thanks so much for watching and writing in my friend.

[@stevenramiza9249]

Dave if you search on KZbin lifting railroad track you will see several videos on it with the concept unfortunately they are all rail bound machines which I know would be hard for you guys to get in. Can’t wait to see the finish product in the videos keep up the good work

[@B-and-O-Operator-Fairmont]

Just think - Penn Central used to have hundreds of miles of track like that! I remember reading about a Roadmaster in the early days of Conrail describing the Pittsburgh Division Mainline as being "on the low side of fair". That is an interesting narrow bucket you have on the machine to get between the ties.

[@ccrx6700]

Penn Central was a very troubled company financially. They simply did not have the money to do things like Conrail did. It certainly was sad to see some of the good track PRR and NYC had go to the pits, but it happened. I will never forgive my beloved PRR for taking part in the stupidest merger ever. Thanks so much my friend for paying me a visit and taking in the show.

[@garthmcgibbon4285]

Dave did you know a girl when you were younger named MaryAnn Snyder? She was a beautiful young girl whose father was a train dispatcher back around WW2. She always wanted to be around the railroad and meet and marry a railroad man. A great cook and even had a signal flare kit when she walked the tracks in case of trouble.

[@ccrx6700]

No I did not Garth, but sounds like I missed out on a winner there tho!

[@leepwright8784]

I love rail roads

[@ccrx6700]

We would like to say Thank You very much for taking the time to visit with us today and watch the presentation Lee. RR's are a good thing to love.

[@garymessina1609]

Could use a vactor truck to clean most of the mud out then re cribb the ties and rail yes Dave it's bad but I know you will come up with the solution sounds like you had a bad day at black rock but great video my friend

[@ccrx6700]

That would be an awesome idea Gary to suck up all the fines after I crib it. But also a large expense. Hulcher vac truck is not cheap and being I usually only get 2 to 3 rail lengths a day, it would cost company a ton of money to have a vac truck there for a day with only that small amount to do. I have suggested numerous time in the past that we buy a vac train with all the coal spillage along the track we have. but that will probably never happen, but if we had out own unit then having it right behind my cribbing would be fantastic. But a guy can dream can't he!

[@Jim-jh79fb]

Meant to ask last video you mentioned about grease hoses when you was dragging rail what are they for what do they grease

[@ccrx6700]

Those hoses Jim come from the greaser to wiper bars that are bolted on the inner sides of the rails. They supply the grease from the greasers to those bars. The greasers are for flange lubrication to cut down wear on the rail head gage face along with the car wheels. Someday I will do a video on the wayside flange greasers but it won't be until sometime later next year. So for now that will have to suffice. Always great to have you join us on the show my friend.

[@wasted-blaster.]

That's one hell of a wet bed site you have!! Remember when removing wet beds dig down 2" below the sleeper bottom and back fill with clean used ballast using a fork only to allow any contamination to be fall away. How are you keeping the top and line faults down? Also where is your PWAY gang at?

[@ccrx6700]

When cribbing in really bad mud I do dig several inches up to 4 inches below the bottom of the tie, then lift track up with tamper. This section when completed will have it's grade about 10 inches higher than where it is in the video. I'm not familiar with the terms top and line faults, am assuming it's UK terms? I would like to know what you are meaning. We are very limited on the number of people we have to work this track so I am the gang for the most part with an occasional regulator operator.

[@wasted-blaster.]

@@ccrx6700 yeah top and line faults are uk terms it's what we call voiding faults,tight gauges, twist faults etc I would love to do a working holiday with you we could sort that track out in 4 night shifts!

[@VirtualJMills]

Not sure if this is done during routine analysis, but video playback at 1.5x to 2x speed really helps highlight areas of substantial rail flex.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks, I will try doing that. Appreciate your watching the video VirtualJMills.

[@Paw95]

going to be a good video!! just started watching.

[@ccrx6700]

Now you know I always put out good videos Preston..... LOL Appreciate your checking things out tonight my friend.

[@johnarkell4493]

Can you add a membrane under the ballast when doing complete relaying to prevent mud pumping up?

[@ccrx6700]

We have taken the whole track out in some other sections in the past John, bull dozed everything out, then we lay down a Geo Textile fabric, but that takes a lot of time to do and cannot do it only cribbing ties. Very much appreciate your checking out the show today my friend.

[@Bassotronics]

6:19 .. that whole time I thought you were talking about a train track that split because of the excavator and you tried to get the new train track installed. And that your track adjusting cylinder of your machine also failed and still could not get the train track on only to find out you are talking about the excavator track mechanism and not a train track… poor me! 🤣 I was suspicious about the part numbers and such and then I was like “Doh!… that’s why..” hehe

[@ccrx6700]

Glad you got it straightened out Bassotronics. First defective replacement was made in China, go figure. Guess they had a bad batch and when I found out that they sent me tracks from a bad batch I was not a happy camper. Second replacement came from Taiwan. But all's well that ends well. Thanks so much my friend for visiting with me today.

[@Bassotronics]

@@ccrx6700 It sure can be annoying when you want to get a project done as soon as possible and due to an error, you would have to wait weeks. Glad everything was resolved.

[@ccrx6700]

@@Bassotronics 👍😊

[@briankemp5206]

Great video Dave, you have your work cut out for you!

[@ccrx6700]

Thank you very much Brian for the kind words. We do appreciate all your great support of the channel for such a long time now my friend.

[@chipchop9067]

Good ol nasty wood. Best take care of that on the double skippy, yessum I do say.

[@ccrx6700]

Thanks Chip Chop for taking the time to check out the video today my good man.