When and why do they rip up old tracks.

[Anonymous]

On the line between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh the tracks range from 2 to 4 in some places. At one time I believe this was all 4 tracks. Why do they rip them up to me it would be more cost effective to keep them. Why is this done.

[Anonymous]

On April 1st 1976 CR got the Pittsburgh to Harrisburg track and Amtrak got the Harrisburg to Philly track, its cheaper to have 3 tracks instead of four, especialy when you run less tracks so Amtrak and CR tore the track out, the Philly to Harrisburg line only sees a few trains a day so 4 tracks are way to much.

[Modelcar]

V D Passenger 1....Yes, mostly it was 4 tracks....believe the passenger train Broadway Limited was named such because of the 4-tracks wide RoW, hence "Broadway".....

[mudchicken]

(1) TAXES (ICC Valuation Method that did NOT allow depreciation until 1983-88 under ICC 49CFR1201)......It is also the reason why permanent structures, depots and freight houses, etc. tend to disappear.

(2) Improvements in dispatching, computer technology, signalling and radio communications mean you can run more trains on less track.

(3) fewer train movements with greater tonnage.... (40 Ft Boxcars - What the heck are all those dinky things here for???)

(4) Shifting traffic density and kinds of lading (In the late 1970's, BN almost abandoned everything west and north of Alliance into the coalfields....Then in 2 years came the coal boom.....Crawford Hill went from almost abandoned to 3 main tracks)....Can you say Illinois Central in the 60's & 70's?......I thought you could......

(5) Fewer people to manage less track with fewer machines...manpower & labor went from a relatively minor expense to a major budget backbreaker. You still have to get accross that track to get to one side or the other.

(6) That main track steel can better be used to replace tiny rail that is shot in yards and siding....learn a new term: "cascading" rail...

(7) Fewer signal appliances to fix when dispatchers start whining about train delay to their operating cronies....

(8) If you are not using track switches and crossovers, get rid of the brittle frogs and switch assemblies that are taking a beating under tonnage.....


'nuf sed????

[Anonymous]

MC-

I'd only add one.

Complete abandonment of service after loss of major customer(s). You came close to this in #4 but I don't think you got there. Otherwise excellent list...

LC

[mudchicken]

Well said LC, no argument here....