Anyone modeling these? Interesting that they're being used in more places, typically difficult applications. Modeling modern RRs causes lots of changes-lol.
http://www.compositology.com/news/industry_news/manufacturers_news/axion-on-cnbc/
Richard
Well, now there's a prototype for plastic ties.
Actually, they look more like the fiber ties of really ancient Atlas flex track from 60 years ago. Who would have dreamed that those old grey things would ever have a prototype?
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
This last summer, while railfanning in Iowa, I happened across some composite ties being used on the CN/former Illinois Central. However these composite ties looked more like pressed board or strand board and were thus wood based. And they were NOT holding up at all well - seemed to be disintegrating in fact. They were used here and there on the main and were mostly interspersed with regular wood ties, but definitely looked like urgent candidates for replacement.
Ironic that UP had severe issues across Illinois and Iowa (and perhaps elsewhere) with concrete ties that failed prematurely while CN has problems with these strandboard ties. In both instances I have taken trackside photos showing that nothing is holding the rail to certain ties.
The composite mentioned in this article, recycled plastic, sounds a bit like the recycled plastic that is sometimes used for home decks (recycled milk jug type plastic). However that material (which we used on our deck) is quite heavy and seemingly not structurally strong while the article says these ties are made from a structural strength recycled plastic. Our deck also gets amazingly and unpleasantly HOT in the sun; I wonder if these ties do too.
In the arcane world of railroad cost accounting, in theory these plastic ties should have an economic value even when retired because the plastic can be recycled again. This can complicate the analysis of cost. Steel ties do the same: they have an initial cost (high) but the final ultimate cost is not known until later because the value of scrap steel fluctuates.
Dave Nelson
I think part of the problem is that wood ties are getting to be harder to get, particularly at low cost. Also, composite ties are really making headway into light rail use(green) while improving for class 1s.
I was shocked to find the new big Niantik river Amtrak bridge in the NE corridor is using fiberglass/plastic fender posts vs wood pilings as in the past.
You have to wonder how these plastic ties would hold up in the extreme colder climates (or the extreme warmer climates for that matter)? We used plastic "wood" to build a deck at our cottage and many of the plastic "boards" cracked like frozen taffy in the winter, with no traffic on them. When I worked landscaping we used a lot of plastic (recycled greenie type materials) for boardwalks, benches, and playground equipment, all insanely expensive but supposed to outlast wood and thus recoup the cost (so the "experts" said). Never worked. They looked awesome and did work great for a short period of time, but then we'd be called out to replace cracked boards, splits, warpage, stripped screws/attachment points etc. There are a few benches and sections of boardwalk left...the rest having been replaced by wood (which is lasting longer with fewer repairs and cheaper cost). Imagine high traffic main lines in below freezing temperatures...or extremely hot temperatures...with repeated heavy tonnage pounding them over and over again and the flexing that occurs. Light rail and even solely passenger traffic is one thing. Dozens of double stack, coal drags, auto racks and other hevay rolling stock day-after-day, hour-after-hour is another thing. If it works then great . Outstanding! Call me skeptical but let's see what the data is after a few years of using these.
Happy Modeling!
Don.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that both engines have failed, and we will be stuck here for some time. The good news is that you decided to take the train and not fly."