Question:
On the spike pulling machine, how does it find the spikes? Looking at the cab, it doesn't look like the operator would have a very good view of the action. Can he see it through windows in the lower part of the cab, or are there cameras that he looks at?
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"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
"Amateurs study tactics; professionals study logistics."
That's the key to these operations running as well as they do - i.e., getting the materials, equipment, and personnel to the right place at the right time. After that, it's just up to them.
I've often said that it's just a mobile assembly line, where the tools, equipment, and workers move, not the item being worked on. Oh yeah - all over the place, and in heat, cold, wind, and sometimes even in rain or snow.
- Paul North.
A modern motorized MOW Gang is an impressive display of " a ballet of men and machines". Fast and efficient, and highly mobile.othing like the Gandy Dancers of earlier times. See @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=025QQwTwzdU
Recently, this area of Kansas has been hosting track crews of BNSF. First come the contract ballast trains to stockpile the ballast, then the carloads of creosote ties ( usiuall in everything from low sided gondolas to old, tired hopper cars. The MOW equipment arrives riding on its own train loaded with the machines. Not sure how the track arrive (?) POV's or what (?), they ride out to the work sites in hi-rails and an occasional bus.
Out here the UPRR seems to favor moving some of their bigger machiens via hired trucks and are craned off and onto the tracks. Watched them(UPRR MOW gangs) this summer as they worked over the old MKT line north towards KC from Parsons. Their equipment staging areas looked like very large military operations, it was amazing to watch tem proceeding up the liune towards the North. A number of years back I had occasion to watch as BNSF rehabed the Thayer sub towards Memphis. It was summer and extremely hot! The BNSF had even contracted to have regular visits from a Schwan's refrigerated truck and its cool srummer treats for the crew (THAT was pretty Cool! )
I've watched, and photographed, a tie gang and a CSX curve rail gang at work. They are well coreographed. Everyone does his job and things come together quickly. The machinery involved is impressive and so are the guys running it. They make really good progress.
Norm
Fascinating! Absolutely fascinating! Something I would never get close enough to see!
Thank you!
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
Two simple words gloss over a lot of work - you may start out with a white collar but it won't stay that way long
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
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