Time-lapse: BNSF installs movable-point diamond in Vancouver, Wash.

BNSF employees recently installed a rare track component to address a bottleneck on the network in Vancouver, Wash.
When one set of railroad tracks crosses over another, the point at which they intersect is known as a crossover or a “diamond,” in reference to the diamond-shaped center. Track speeds are often reduced through a crossover or diamond to ensure safety.
BNSF trains operating through a crossover at the Columbia River Bridge between the Fallbridge and Seattle subdivisions used to be limited to no more than 10 mph. However, the recent installation of a rare “movable-point diamond” has allowed for higher efficiency through this stretch of track near the Amtrak Station in Vancouver.
“We can now get trains in and out of Vancouver faster, which makes the terminal more efficient,” said Seattle Signal Manager William Cruttenden.
The custom-built track component is the first of its kind at BNSF, and only a few are in use elsewhere in the United States. This time-lapse video captured the installation of the movable diamond over a 36-hour period.

[@TowMater603]

now , if only they could repair our highways and interstates this fast

[@SimonTekConley]

50 years ago, if someone suggest snap-track for actual railroads they would've been laughed at

[@freighttrainsahpassing9790]

I'm @ the Vancouver Amtrak all the time these days. I didn't realize how recent this was !!

[@NMjack2000]

What a nice video showing a very coordinated group of teams doing this work. Plus it is always great to see BNSF updating and or upgrading their roadbed in order to keep their traffic moving to it destinations.

[@BollocksUtwat]

That's some fine corporate music selection, Lou.

[@steelem422]

Insane amount of work in a short time nice guys

[@ggsumner1947]

Great video, and a great job by the crew. Very interesting. BNSF, more like this please.

[@mrbinkidoo]

Wow, very cool! Thank you so much for posting this. I'd love to see more videos like this on this channel

[@kgirl4078]

You did a great job on your vid, love the time lapse. Thank you for sharing :-))

[@binaryboy]

They have such cool toys.

[@DanielPRails]

great timelapse! awesome!

[@whistle700]

It is very interesting and fun video. Thank you for sharing :) 1:56 Bridge has moved! Wow!

[@sllmjenkins97]

子供向け踏切電車動

[@Tcostello105]

Fantastic video and operation.

[@DylanLandvatter]

very interesting video!

[@PNWRailfan]

Great! I go here often.

[@skeetjeffcitysub86]

great video bnsf keep up the great work brent oesterle friends of bnsf

[@brennanholten8183]

Good work.

[@jamesmark782]

So, does this in essence function as a switch in both directions?

[@VanWADebbie]

The BNSF has spent a lot of money in Vancouver, WA. I noticed yesterday that the North Vancouver signal has moved 1/2 mile southward and new signals in the yard. Is there any video on those projects?

[@screwballwiki6945]

great video are you going to have a chance to make heritage units for example cb&q ad70ace?

[@okaythen250]

Did Amtrak have a problem with you doing this?

[@denisetindall1487]

i like train vidoes on youtube

[@zarmril]

Where's waldo?

[@amosmaclin4665]

I no u guys do nice equipment u got there

[@class87srule]

Is this what we in the UK call a slip point?

[@edeaglehouse2221]

Why is this significant and how does it help?

[@MILW199]

This diamond has a shallow angle. A normal diamond would have 4 frogs, with a lot of banging around and resultant maintenance to keep the ride acceptable. The movable point diamond takes out some of the frogs, making it more like 2 switches installed close together. This allows for a smoother ride and easier maintenance.

[@jesusalvarado4138]

VMTI gang put in work!

[@pancholoc1000]

Damn that welder that hyrailed in and welded those bridge tie ins is a real baddy lol

[@jesusalvarado4138]

+Francisco Perez they dont even give the welders credit so i had to haha

[@pancholoc1000]

+Jesus Alvarado haha good lookin out compa!

[@jesusalvarado4138]

Haha i miss it out there i was teary eyed when i watched it

[@pancholoc1000]

+Jesus Alvarado shit I know me too 😔 Fml

[@wasatchrangerailway6921]

did anyone find out who did the awesome music to this----I would sure like to know who it was!!!

[@drburns3749]

Ask Siri and hold your phone to the speakers

[@MikMoen]

So all they did was move that spur over?

[@JoeyLovesTrains]

Why not concrete ties?

[@alfyxgames2271]

I live there!!

[@Cprailf]

now show us the installation of a 3 way switch track or maintenance !

[@wasatchrangerailway6921]

A piano, a synthesizer keyboard, drums, two guitars, and one bass guitar---------WOW ! ! ! We gotta figure out who this is! let me know if you find out who it is and I will do the same for you.

[@ThePrimoZ]

Am I the only one here who wants to know the music? :P

[@pqhkr2002]

Plus me.

[@MrMLBson09]

start the day (60 seconds)-mitch coodley I used the shazam app that you can download on your phone. it is stupid good at recognizing songs and it's free.

[@jschmid]

Bring back the warbonnet paint scheme.

[@rickygarcia7400]

Haha real life snap track shows there a proto type for everything.

[@user-ib2wj6lt7r]

한국 속담에 번갯불에 콩 볶아 먹는다 ! ㅋㅋ 철로 공사 속전속결이네요 !! 비디오 video 초고속 기법 처리 ! ㅋㅋ

[@unfunnyfurryrailfan]

Cool! Nice job guys! ;) (lol first)