OK I dont understand how this was done

[cnwfan51]

     Makes sense to me and thanks for the insight to this    Larry

[Bob-Fryml]

Most of the passenger, mail, and baggage loading tracks within the Chicago Union Station train shed rest atop concrete aprons designed to capture moisture dripping from equipment.  The sources of moisture include rain, melting snow, sink drainage, and, at one time, condensing steam, locomotive boiler water injectors, plus occasional flushing toilet waste.  Having come from the wash rack just moments before, I remember seeing the Q's premiere streamliners backing into their respective tracks all shiney and just dripping wet. 

So to eliminate wooden crosstie rot from an almost continuous exposure to moisture, the aprons are designed to hold the rail in place directly.  The base of each rail is actually bolted to these aprons.  At intervals the aprons have drains that pipe the accumulated liquids away.  

When Chicago Union Station was built, I'd guess the effluent was piped directly into the adjacent Chicago River.  Today I'd expect the oil residues are separated and rest of the waste water is treated.   

[cnwfan51]

I was recently re rereading the Mail by Rail issue if Classic trains and saw something I dont understand on pages 20 21 22 and 23 are photos taken at Union Station in Chicago    Look at the tracks and tell me how the rails were kept in place when they didnt have a full lengh tie under them.  Just wondering   Thanks Larry